Assistant Director of Recreational Therapy (Outdoor Education Specialist), Bradford Woods

Department

BRADFORD WOODS (BA-BRAD-IUBLA)

Department Information

The Office of Student Life is focused on building a strong foundation to ensure every students Indiana University (IU) experience is positive, safe, healthy, and meaningful. The Office of Student Life staff and its multiple departments aim to help students navigate their time at IU, providing the tools they need to be successful in school and after graduation. Students are our priority, and their health, safety, and overall well-being are our core mission.

Bradford Woods is proud to be a department within the Office of Student Life, committed to promoting learning and respect in all programs, interactions, and partnerships. Bradford Woods is IUs Outdoor Center located just 30 minutes north of the IU Bloomington campus. It is a private property that consists of 2,500-acres of wooded land with a 110-acre lake. Our property sits just outside of Martinsville off State Road 67. The property is used by over 400 unique programs from retreats and events to environmental education school programs.

Offering free parking and a beautiful space to work, there is no better place to be than at Bradford Woods.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Recreational Therapy provides leadership and oversight for the cabin life and therapeutic camping components of our summer camp programs. This role supervises Cabin Life Coordinators, Cabin Heads, Cabin Counselors, and Recreational Therapy Interns to ensure exceptional camper care, safety, and therapeutic integrity. The Assistant Director supports the full therapeutic recreation process, including camper assessment, individualized goal development, intervention implementation, progress evaluation, documentation, and discharge planning.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Provides mentorship and feedback to Recreational Therapy Interns while ensuring therapeutic services are integrated into all aspects of camp programming.
• Responsible for staff recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and training, as well as coordinating and developing new and existing program with clients and partners. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong leadership, clinical knowledge, attention to detail, and a commitment to providing an inclusive, camper-centered experience.
• Provides comprehensive leadership and oversight of cabin life and medical camping operations, ensuring high standards of camper safety, supervision, welfare, behavior support, and medical/social/emotional care.
• Oversees the recreational therapy process, including assessments, individualized goal development, intervention implementation, progress monitoring, documentation review, and discharge planning, ensuring integration of therapeutic goals into daily camp programming.
• Leads year-round recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, supervision, and performance evaluation of Cabin Life staff and Recreational Therapy Interns.
• Develops and facilitates pre-camp and in-season training focused on camper supervision, therapeutic recreation practices, inclusion strategies, and documentation standards.
• Coordinates scheduling and communication with clients, families, and partner organizations.
• Manages program logistics and provides exceptional customer service.
• Develops, implements, and expands Recreational Therapy-aligned programs, including new summer camp sessions, weekend events, retreat offerings, and multi-session program series, ensuring alignment with organizational mission and participant needs.
• Monitors implementation of policies, risk management procedures, and professional standards related to therapeutic camping and residential life.
• Supports evaluation of camper outcomes and overall program effectiveness.
• Collaborates with the Bradford Woods program team to provide global program support as needed, including event hosting, leading trail lessons, and facilitating activities.

General Responsibilities

• Responsible for design and implementation of recreational, educational, professional development, and team-building retreats, camps, and other outdoor education programming.
• Manages day-to-day operations, logistics, and issues related to programming, providing technical or informational support to participants.
• Identifies and develops contracts, partners, and coalitions.Researches, identifies, and negotiates facilitators, speakers, and presenters.
• Develops educational materials, curriculum, equipment, elements, and other resources necessary to conduct programmatic offerings and services.
• Develops activities appropriate for the participants in a given outdoor program, camp, or retreat and works with leaders and constituents to develop itinerary.
• Designs and implements evaluation tools for program effectiveness, makes recommendations, and implements changes based on results.
• Assists in budget development and revenue projections and ensures programs, camps, and retreats align with budgetary needs.
• May assist with seasonal or temporary staffing needs including selection, hiring, training, and supervision.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelors degree in related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 2 years in related field.

Preferred

• Previous experience working and leading staff in a fast-paced, dynamic camp environment.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential plus 1 year of experience.
• Valid U.S. Drivers license.

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. This position operates in both office and outdoor settings within an active outdoor education and camp environment. Responsibilities require frequent movement across campus, including outdoor terrain, program areas, and residential facilities, as well as time spent in a traditional office setting. Work is performed in varied weather conditions during program delivery and camp operations. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

This position requires the ability to live on-site.

Work Location

This is an in-person position.

Bradford Woods,

5040 S R 37 N,

Martinsville, Indiana, 46151

Advertised Salary

$40,000.00 - $42,500.00 annually

Work Hours

This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt position. Work hours vary based on operational needs and seasonal program demands. During the summer camp season, extended hours, including evenings and weekends, are required to support residential and program operations.

Outside of the summer camp season, the position generally follows standard business hours, with some evening and weekend commitments for recruitment, training, event hosting, and program support. Flexibility is required to meet program needs; however, the department is committed to supporting workload planning and reasonable work-life balance throughout the year.

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

Job Classification

Career Level: Core

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Educational Resources & Tech

Job Family: Outdoor Education

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Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

Campus Safety and Security

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.

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