What are the responsibilities and job description for the Recreation & Adventure Specialist position at The Heritage Community?
Purpose
The Recreation & Adventure Specialist provides trauma-informed recreation programming that supports students' emotional regulation, social development, and therapeutic growth. Through adventure activities, recreation groups, and experiential learning, this role helps students build confidence, healthy coping skills, teamwork, and resilience in a safe and structured environment.
Responsibilities
This role works in both indoor and outdoor settings, including campus recreation spaces and off-site adventure outings. Employees regularly engage with students in active, fast-paced, and emotionally dynamic environments and are expected to model professionalism, teamwork, safety, and healthy coping skills at all times.
Benefits
The Recreation & Adventure Specialist provides trauma-informed recreation programming that supports students' emotional regulation, social development, and therapeutic growth. Through adventure activities, recreation groups, and experiential learning, this role helps students build confidence, healthy coping skills, teamwork, and resilience in a safe and structured environment.
Responsibilities
- Plan and lead structured recreation and adventure-based activities aligned with treatment goals.
- Build positive, professional relationships with students while modeling healthy boundaries and emotional regulation.
- Create safe, engaging environments during activities such as hiking, camping, sports, fitness, Cooking, crafts and team-building experiences.
- Monitor student behavior, manage risk, and respond appropriately to safety concerns or emotional escalations.
- Collaborate with Therapists, Coaches, Nursing, Residential, and Academic teams to support student progress.
- Complete documentation including progress notes, group summaries, and behavioral observations.
- Maintain professionalism and uphold Heritage's trauma-informed and therapeutic standards.
- Experience working with adolescents in residential treatment, behavioral health, recreation, or related settings preferred.
- Recreational Therapy background, CTRS certification, or Utah Recreational Therapy License eligibility preferred.
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, group facilitation, and emotional regulation strategies.
- Ability to lead physically active recreation and outdoor activities.
- Must be at least 21 years old.
- Clean driving record required for fleet vehicle authorization.
- Must pass background check and pre-employment requirements.
- Ability to stand, hike, walk, and participate in physical activities for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
- Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather and terrain conditions.
- Ability to respond calmly and effectively during high-stress or crisis situations.
This role works in both indoor and outdoor settings, including campus recreation spaces and off-site adventure outings. Employees regularly engage with students in active, fast-paced, and emotionally dynamic environments and are expected to model professionalism, teamwork, safety, and healthy coping skills at all times.
Benefits
- Competitive pay
- Full-time benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- PTO and paid holidays
- 401(k) with company match
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Meaningful work supporting youth growth and healing