Adaptive Recreation Specialist

This is a non-exempt, part-time position, not to exceed 1,039 work hours in a fiscal year, with the Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space located in Carson City, Nevada. Under general supervision, the Adaptive Recreation Specialist works independently to provide individuals with all abilities the opportunity to participate in recreation and leisure programs.  This position is responsible for planning, grant writing, implementing, facilitating and evaluating year round programs for individuals with disabilities and to provide inclusion support to individuals participating in Parks & Recreation programs, activities and events. This position is also responsible for providing assessment, intervention, instruction, supervision and training of staff. The class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive.  Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
 

• Provide inclusion support to individuals participating in Parks and Recreation programs, activities and events.
• Conduct individual and group staff training on the implementation of inclusion/behavior plans, behavior analysis principles, and disability awareness.
• Plan, implement, facilitate and evaluate year round programs for individuals with disabilities; promote and coordinate specific activities within the adaptive recreation program; prepare program event and facility marketing material including news releases, flyers, schedules of events, pamphlets, and brochures; resolve complaints and address concerns related to the programs.
• Grant writing to obtain funds for the implementation of adaptive and inclusive recreation programs.
• Maintain data and track all inclusion performance measures; create reports for management; complete and maintain required forms and paperwork; maintain participant records.
• Perform assessments and recommend inclusion/behavior plans according to need and compliant with the standards of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Space.
• Manage ADA requests from program participants relating to Parks and Recreation facilities.
• Work with the Recreation Program Supervisor on inclusion program development.
• Maintain yearly calendar of programs and services available to persons with disabilities; provide information and resources to the public regarding upcoming programs and services.
• Identify the needs of persons with disabilities living in the City and anticipate the needs of persons with disabilities (residents and non-residents) attending special events.
• Design and implement staff training programs that focus on disability awareness and effective customer service; assist with the creation of staff work schedules and program lessons plans.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing/participating as a member of a work team.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with the public and City staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of adaptive recreation programs and services; incorporate new developments as appropriate into programs.
• Perform related duties as assigned by Program Supervisor.

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.
 
Education and Experience:
Associates degree with an emphasis in special education or therapeutic recreation AND two (2) years of experience working with people with disabilities; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

SPECIAL NOTE:  This position, along with other child care providers, is one of many groups of professionals required to report known or reasonable suspicion of abuse and/or neglect of children in their care and are considered mandated reporters as outlined in Nevada Revised Statutes. 
  
Required Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Current CPR certification.
• Current First Aid certification.
• Mandated Reporting:  Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect.
• Valid driver's license.
• Automated External Defibrillator (A.E.D.) certification.

Continued employment is contingent upon acquiring and maintaining the required certifications.
 
Preferred Certificates:

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) OR Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCABA).
• Passed para-professional assessment.
• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Special Education or a related field.
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
• Certified Parks & Recreation Professional

 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of the supervision and treatment of individuals with disabilities.
• Operations, services, and activities of therapeutic recreation programs and services.
• Principles and theories of inclusion for persons with disabilities.
• Methods and techniques of developing adaptive services and programs.
• Applicable policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment.
• Personal computers utilizing standard and specialized software applications.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of office equipment.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.
• Principles and practices of public relations and customer service.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Safe work practices.
• Supervisory principles and techniques.
• Grants and grant writing

 
Skill in:

• Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of assigned staff.
• Selecting, motivating, and evaluating staff and providing for their training and professional development.
• Developing and implementing program and project goals, objectives, procedures and work standards.
• Planning, organizing and implementing multi-faceted adaptive recreation and/or cultural programs and activities with an emphasis on inclusion.
• Exercising sound independent judgment within general procedural guidelines.
• Preparing clear, concise and complete reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines
• Recommending and implementing goals, objectives, policies and procedures for providing adaptive recreation programs.
• Eliciting community and organizational support for adaptive programs.
• Planning and organizing work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Reacting immediately, calmly, and effectively to situations and employing established techniques to resolves issues.

 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Under General Supervision - Incumbents at this level are given assignments and objectives that are governed by specifically outlined work methods and a sequence of steps, which are explained in general terms. The responsibility for achieving the work objectives, however, rests with a superior. Immediate supervision is not consistent, but checks are integrated into work processes and/or reviews are frequent enough to ensure compliance with instructions.
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
Mobility to work in a typical aquatics/theatre/recreation setting, use standard office equipment and stamina to sit for extended periods of time; ability to stoop and climb, strength to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; mobility, strength and endurance to control participants, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.  Work is subject to exposure to inclement weather conditions.
 CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
 

1. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
2. Employees in this position must be willing to work overtime, varying shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
3. Any City employee may be required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.
4. Employees may be required to complete Incident Command System training as a condition of continuing employment.
5. New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint based background investigation (if 18 years of age or older) which costs the new employee $47.00 and a drug screening which costs $36.50.  Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.
6. This position is required to make a report in accordance with Nevada Revised Statute 432B.220, if, in his or her professional or occupational capacity, he or she knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected.
7. Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.  All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment.  Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.  For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 775.887.2103 or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.uscis.gov.
8. Carson City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary : $16,884 - $21,040