Area Coordinator - Therapeutic Recreation

TitleAdult Social Program Assistant - Therapeutic RecreationDepartmentTherapeutic RecreationStatusPart Time Work LocationVariousReports ToTherapeutic Recreation CoordinatorWage$18/hourPosition Description

The Therapeutic Recreation Team of the Rockford Park District is committed to providing community based recreation to promote the development, maintenance, and expression of a meaningful leisure lifestyle to individuals with disabilities. The TR department delivers services that promote and/or provide access, specialty programs, skills development and inclusive opportunities.

ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT VISION, MISSION AND LEADERSHIP BY VALUESAgency VisionTo be the best urban parks and recreation system in North America, as measured by national standards and the citizens we serve.Agency MissionThe Rockford Park District is in business to "help people enjoy life" by providing a quality park and recreation system.Vision & Planning SystemThe District aligns itself and all its resources to achieve its purpose, vision, mission, and priorities. This successfully drives the strategic plan, operational plans, and performance goals.Policy Management & Operations SystemEvery team member serves as an active contributor in the development of the team's operational plan; develops job strategies and plans that support the team's operational goals; identifies timetables for completion; plans daily work activities in an organized manner ensuring effective utilization of time and resources in the completion of job tasks.Leadership by Values SystemLeadership by Values can only be achieved if all team members believe in and live by these shared values: accountability, integrity, passion, agility, relationship oriented, results driven, service oriented, respectful, and innovative. While all team members share these essential values, our culture is enriched by and welcomes the diverse supporting values of its team members.Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging StatementThe Rockford Park District is committed and accountable to being a place where everyone is invited and belongs, as demonstrated by being an inviting, equitable, and inclusive environment, respectful of all people, embracing diversity, creating accessibility and valuing all team members, partners and community members for their unique experiences and backgrounds.

RELATIONSHIPS TO RESULTS CULTUREDefinitionSustained by long-term, positive, exceptional relationships with stakeholders and team members as our hallmark of success.

ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL COMMITMENTDefinitionTo work together to achieve the mission, vision, and shared values of the Rockford Park District.ConnectednessDepartments are truly interconnected to support the mission and vision of the Rockford Park District.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned

Under the direct supervision of the Recreation Coordinator:

Include but are not limited to the following

• Analyze, make recommendations, and assist Recreation Coordinator regarding the quality of programming content, monitoring participation, and evaluating the success of program participants
• Assists in overseeing the following programs: outreach programs, cooking, walking club, All Stars sports, Bowling, additional social programs and Buddy Programs
• Evaluate and give constructive feedback to program staff concerning participant behavior management -approaches, program activities, structure, and site specific protocol
• Assist and make recommendations to recruit, hire, schedule, train, supervise, mentor and evaluate staff with guidance from the Recreation Coordinator.
• Assist Recreation Coordinator in conducting Therapeutic Recreation assessments, developing support plans and program plans
• Plan and develop program schedules, activities, adaptations and program descriptions
• Provide staff with recommendations in adaptive techniques and intervention strategies to allow for maximum program participation and to meet the individual needs of participants.
• Mentor seasonal staff in identifying barriers, writing participant goals, tracking and evaluating participant progress, and communicating to parents/guardians
• Coordinate, communicate, and delegate daily/weekly staff responsibilities.
• Completes administrative responsibilities correctly and on time, such as verifying staff UKG, accident reports, behavior incidents, weekly site attendance, equipment inventory, and evaluations of staff and other reports as requested by the Recreation Coordinator.
• Use effective and positive communication with program participants, other staff, parents/guardians, and internal and external agencies.
• Act as a RPD liaison for the Recreation Coordinator while communicating with other RPD departments.
• Work as a team to provide care for physical needs, toileting, transferring, or pushing participants in wheelchairs, while following RPD guidelines for personal care
• Attends scheduled meetings and trainings as determined by the Recreation Coordinator to include weekly staffing, RPDEd trainings, full staff and additional meetings as needed.
• Use confidentiality in all aspects regarding participants involved in programs
• Maintains a working knowledge of department safety procedures. Attends safety training, completes educational in-service opportunities and attends other district wide trainings as required. As well as enforces rules and regulations set-up by the Rockford Park District.
• Gathers, loads, transports and sets-up supplies and equipment for the program sites, including inventory and maintenance with support from program staff.
• Enforces and follows all rules, regulations and policies set up by the Rockford Park District to include the Affirmative Action Plan, maintaining an alcohol and drug free workplace, and following all safety and risk management procedures.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

Two year Associates degree in recreation or related field, OR college level course work in related area and 2 years' experience working with individuals with disabilities OR any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Critical Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Must be 20 years of age.
• Two year Associates degree in recreation or related field, OR college level course work in related area and 2 years' experience working with individuals with disabilities OR any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience writing and implementing positive behavior plans.
• Experience working with various designs of communication to include picture systems.
• Good organizational and leadership skills for daily supervision and direction of participants
• Good communication skills including expressive, written, and receptive
• Flexibility to work at various locations as assignments are subject to change during the length of the season
• Ability to problem solve in a variety of situations
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and demonstrate flexibility as a team player
• Ability to work in stressful conditions, including situations involving disability related needs and dissatisfied customers
• Ability to use computer programs for creating and retrieving reports and schedules.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED training (Can be obtained through Rockford Park District as determined necessary by supervisor)

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

Medium work:

• Exerting in excess of 50 pounds of force occasionally

• Exerting in excess of 20 pounds of force frequently

• Exerting in excess of 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

• This is a physically active position that involves stamina.

• Mobility to various locations required

• Assist occasionally with caring for physical needs of participants including toileting, transferring, or pushing participants in wheelchairs.

• May require, if trained, Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI).

• May be exposed to extreme weather conditions particularly cold, heat, and rain.

• May be exposed to hazardous vegetation (i.e. poison ivy) and insect bites while outdoors.

• May be working with flammable materials for fires.

• Ability to work under stressful conditions, including situations involving disability-related needs and dissatisfied customers.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• This position may be stationed primarily indoors or outdoors based on participant assignment and time of year.

• Potential exposure to outdoor elements, hazardous weather, hazardous vegetation, insect bites, and various participant challenges.

The Therapeutic Recreation Team of the Rockford Park District is committed to providing community based recreation to promote the development, maintenance, and expression of a meaningful leisure lifestyle to individuals with disabilities. The TR department delivers services that promote and/or provide access, specialty programs, skills development and inclusive opportunities.