Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Job Summary: Under limited supervision, uses intermediate skills obtained through experience and training to plan, organize and lead recreational activities and programs that promote physical, emotional and social well-being. Employs various recreational activities to build and delivers programs to help children, youth, and adults of all ages with physical, intellectual, and/or emotional challenges improve their overall quality of life. Routine contact with internal and external stakeholders, including family members and healthcare professionals is required to meet goals and objectives. 

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assess the needs and abilities of clients to develop personalized recreation plans. Ability to adapt and be creative in content where appropriate. 
• Plan and implement a wide range of recreational activities, including arts and crafts, sports, music, and more.
• Lead group sessions and recreational therapy groups to encourage social interaction and support among clients.
• Provide emotional support, motivation, and encouragement to clients.
• Provide education and skill-building activities related to mental health, stress management, and coping strategies.
• Promote community integration and participation in local events and activities to reduce isolation and enhance socialization.
• Create a safe and inclusive group environment.
• Collaborate with clients, their families, and healthcare professionals to set goals and evaluate progress.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to client assessments, progress, and program evaluations.
• Continuously evaluate and adapt programs to meet changing client needs.
• Generate regular reports to evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Remains current in therapeutic recreational techniques
• Maintains regular and consistent attendance.
• Operates standard office equipment and uses required software applications. 
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Applicable laws and regulations related to therapeutic recreation.
• Recreational activities appropriate for various target audiences (children, youth, and adults of all ages) 

Skill in:

• Therapeutic recreational techniques.
• Operating standard office equipment and using required software applications, including Microsoft Office and Teams.
• Bilingual skills highly desirable

Ability to:

• Demonstrate empathy and patience when working with individuals facing physical, intellectual, or emotional challenges.
• Work with participants in a group or one to one setting.  
• Adapt to the unique needs and challenges of each participant.
• Work collaboratively with participants, their families and healthcare professionals.
• Adhere to ethical standards and principles in working with vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrate patience, empathy, and the ability to establish trust with youth.
• Commit to maintaining client confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Incorporate needs, wants and goals from different perspectives into effective programs. 
• Incite enthusiasm and influence, motivate and persuade others to achieve desired outcomes 
• Gather information, identify linkages and trends and apply findings to assignments.
• Organize and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines. 
• Develop trusting relationships with both clients and their families 
• Work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.

Educational/Previous Experience Requirements:

• Minimum Degree Required:

1. Bachelor’s Degree

• Required Disciplines:
  1. Therapeutic Recreation, Social Work, Counseling or a related field or any equivalent combination of experience, education, and/or training approved by Human Resources.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Licenses/Certifications Required at Date of Hire:
  1. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification required.
  2. CPR and First Aid certification preferred. 

Working Conditions:

Hours: Normal business hours.   Some additional hours or ability to flex hours may be required. 

Travel Required: Local travel within the Detroit metropolitan area. 

 Working Environment:       Climate controlled schools, community centers, health clinics and office environment during normal business hours.

 Job Family:  

Job Category:

 Physical Requirements:

Last updated: December 29, 2023

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature of work performed; the level of knowledge and skills typically required; and usual working conditions of this position. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive listing of all requirements or responsibilities that may be required by employees in this position. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee Signature: ________________________________________________     Date: __________________