Recreational Therapist

Recreational Therapist

Salary

$72,653.00 - $85,368.00 Annually

Location

Easter Lake - 2830 Easter Lake Dr. - Des Moines, IA

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

C26-26

Department

Polk County Conservation Board

Opening Date

08/27/2026

Closing Date

9/27/2026 11:59 PM Central

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

MS

Hours

TBD

Bargaining Unit

Not Applicable

Salary Grade

N/A

Location

Easter Lake - 2830 Easter Lake Dr.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Polk County Conservation is seeking a passionate, visionary Recreational Therapist to champion community-wide inclusion at the Athene North Shore Recreation Area at Easter Lake, widely celebrated as one of the most universally accessible-designed parks in the nation. In this dynamic leadership role, you will manage adaptive programming across a cutting-edge, fully ADA-accessible waterfront facility equipped with wide paved pathways, an inclusive playground, a sensory sound garden, and a zero-entry beach ramp. You will empower visitors of all ages and abilities by directing the rental and safe use of specialized adaptive outdoor equipment, including adaptive kayaks, handcycles, and beach wheelchairs-while cultivating strategic partnerships with local community organizations. If you are a certified therapeutic specialist dedicated to eliminating barriers to nature, breaking down physical boundaries, and enriching lives through purposeful, inclusive outdoor recreation, we invite you to lead our park operations and help shape the gold standard for accessible public spaces.

Under general supervision of the Leisure Services Manager, supervises the day to day activities of Easter Lake North Shore Recreation Area and supervises semi-skilled, part-time staff, and volunteers. Provides professional, clinically trained, outdoor-based recreational therapy for individuals with short-term or long-term disabilities.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Effectively recommends personnel actions related to selection, performance review, scheduling and discipline; administers personnel and related policies and procedures for part-time, seasonal, and on-call staff.
• Develops standard operating procedures for staff and volunteers.
• Develops safety training protocols and delivers training to staff and volunteers.
• Develops, plans, schedules, coordinates, and conducts programming, outreach, and special events.
• Fosters community partnerships with agencies that serves Veterans and persons with disabilities.
• Develops short-term and long-term therapy plans for individuals/users and evaluates and documents progress toward their achievement.
• Effectively communicates patient/participant status and perceived outcomes in order to ensure positive therapeutic outcomes and insurance coverage (ie direct communication with insurance companies and medial professionals and drafting letters of medical necessity)
• Maintains records and prepares reports related to north shore operations.
• Conducts presentations and outreach to various audiences.
• Researches and writes grant applications and/or raises funds for north shore operations, equipment, and programming.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the Conservation departments operation programs, functions, and objectives.
• Knowledge of state, federal, and local laws and regulations about park and public recreation operations, construction and zoning, and concession and food preparation.
• Knowledge of proper safety procedures and occupational hazards associated with maintaining and repairing facilities and grounds and operating public recreation facilities and other community programs.
• Knowledge of the current principles and practices of effective supervision.
• Knowledge of universal design principles and adaptive outdoor recreation.
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, socio-emotional health, and professional ethics/advocacy associated with occupational therapy.
• Ability to work with partner agencies on safe programming and events and effectively create adaptions and solutions to ensure high level of accessibility and inclusivity.
• Ability to ensure safe and effective delivery of various program elements such as skilled transfers from wheelchairs to outdoor recreation equipment.
• Ability to plan, direct, schedule, and evaluate the work of part-time and seasonal staff.
• Ability to understand and provide oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Training and Experience

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Recreational Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or a related field, and
• Three years in a clinical healthcare field, or
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Click below for a detailed overview of our benefits package.

Polk County Employment Benefits

01

[ED12] Please Indicate the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School/GED
• AS/AA
• BA/BS
• Masters
• Doctorate

02

[D1] Do you currently have a valid Iowa Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

03

[D2] Do you have the ability to obtain/maintain a valid Drivers License issued by the State of Iowa?

• Yes
• No

04

[D3] Do you have a clean driving record? (Select the option that applies)

• Clean Driving Record
• Less than 3 moving violations in the last 3 years
• 3 or more moving violations in the last 3 years
• 1 or more major moving violations in the last year (i.e., OWI, Reckless driving)
• 2 or more major moving violations in the last 5 years (i.e., OWI, Reckless driving)

05

[P3} Do you have the ability to perform work involving the lifting and carrying of materials regularly? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY]

• weighing 50 - 100 pounds
• weighing up to 60 pounds
• weighing up to 50 pounds
• weighing up to 30 pounds

06

[M3] We require a cover letter to be attached to your application. Have you attached your cover letter?

• Yes
• No

07

[M2] We require a resume to be attached to your application. Have you attached your resume?

• Yes
• No

08

[E32] Have you supervised and evaluated the work of staff?

• Yes
• No

09

[ED15] Are you currently certified in First Aid and CPR?

• Yes
• No

10

[ED16] Do you have the ability to obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR?

• Yes
• No

11

[E26] Are you knowledgeable in basic computer use, such as email, typing, using a mouse or touchpad, navigating to and around programs, and troubleshooting?

• Yes
• No

12

[E24] Are you highly efficient with following Microsoft Office Suite programs? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY

• Word
• Excel
• Planner
• OneDrive
• Outlook
• PowerPoint
• OneNote
• SharePoint
• Microsoft 365

13

[E35] How many years of experience do you have in management/supervision of support staff?

• 0 to 1 years
• 1 to 2 years
• 2 to 3 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 to 5 years
• 5 plus years

14

[E12] How many years of experience do you have working for or within a public entity?

• 0 to 1 years
• 1 to 2 years
• 2 to 3 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 to 5 years
• 5 plus years

15

[E13] How many years of experience do you have working with Veterans and /or in the field of mental health?

• 0 to 1 years
• 1 to 2 years
• 2 to 3 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 to 5 years
• 5 plus years

16

[E55] How many years of experience do you have working in Parks and Recreation or Agritourism?

• 0 to 1 years
• 1 to 2 years
• 2 to 3 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 to 5 years
• 5 plus years

17

[E42] Please mark the areas of outdoor experience you have.

• Hiking
• Camping
• Fishing
• Archery
• Climbing
• Sking
• Snowboarding
• Biking
• Sledding/Tubbing
• Kayaking/Cannoning
• None

18

[WS14]{FT} Our Full-Time position works standard schedules depending on what position you may be hired for. Select all of your availability that applies.

• 6:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Thursday
• 6:00 am - 4:30 pm Tuesday - Friday
• 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday
• 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday
• 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday
• 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM. Monday - Thursday

19

[WS13] Are you willing to work variable hours, including some evenings, weekends, holidays, or other irregular hours?

• Yes
• No

20

[M4] Polk County Conservation does not participate in dual employment with current employees of other Polk County units. Are you looking to transfer units?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Polk County

Address 111 Court Avenue Suite 390 Human Resources

Des Moines, Iowa, 50309

Phone 515-286-3200

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/polkia