RECREATION SPECIALIST

About Us :

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success.

At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take.

Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crains New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits.

Join our team and help make a difference!

Benefits :

For Full Time Employees Benefits / Perks :

• Tuition Assistance Program
• Generous paid time off (Including 5 Self-Care Days / Floating Holidays, 12 Sick Days, 15 Vacation Days, and 11 Holidays)
• Healthcare Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Pet Care)
• 403(b) Plan (GSS contributes 3% of your salary to your 403(b) plan after 3 years of service, with contributions increasing over time)

Overview :

Title : THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SPECIALIST, YOUTH RECEPTION CENTER

Reports to : Progam Director , YOUTH RECEPTION CENTER

Location : 479 New Jersey Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207

Hours : 40 Hours / Week; Non-Exempt; Flexible Hours Required (Evenings & Weekends)

Salary Range 42K-48K based on relevant experience / education

Job Summary : The Good Shepherd Services Youth Reception Center (YRC) is a short term pre-placement 10 bed facility for adolescent girls entering foster care and / or awaiting placement .

The Recreation Specialist develops, implements and provides recreational programs for all participants within the Youth Reception Center to promote : self-development and expression;

pro-social behavior; and habits, knowledge and skills that promote long-term healthy living. They will also collaborate with and support the Youth Development staff by assisting youth in learning how to work together to solve problems in positive ways, help youth develop life skills and develop constructive relationships.

Major Duties :

Design, plan, and conduct programming in specified areas including sports, fitness and performing arts (dance, poetry, music, etc.

life skills and healthy living.

• Incorporate within the recreation program a standing community service component to promote social responsibility amongst participants.
• Research resources pertaining to activities and maintain documentation of all events / activities to be kept on file (including submission of monthly calendar of activities) and adhere to documentation requirements (GSS logs, reports, etc).
• Organize, plan and oversee special and cultural events and activities taking account of residents cultural diversity and traditions.
• Set up, operate and cleanup of activities.
• Work closely with GSS External Relations department in the organization and planning of corporate sponsored events and activities and create partnerships with community providers.

Attend community partnership meetings.

• Work closely with the External Relations department to identify and secure resources to support the recreation programming.
• Ensure the proper care and supervision of supplies and program equipment.
• Guide youth in making positive choices, following directions and becoming involved in program activities.
• Resolve conflict within groups, seeking assistance from staff, supervisors and directors as needed.
• Participate in Treatment Team Meetings and other programmatic meetings.
• Interact and communicate with Good Shepherd staff in matters related to, but not limited to, the needs of the residents and the program as it relates to recreation.
• Provide safe transportation for residents when necessary on trips throughout the City and surrounding areas.
• Attend all mandatory training required by ACS and GSS.
• Responsible for adhering to all pertinent city and state regulations.
• Effectively use and practice the Sanctuary Model tools : Safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment planning conferences (or similar), and self-care in the department / program to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) framework into daily practice to ensure quality care and an effective work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

• High School Diploma and other applicable experience required; Associates or Bachelors degree with applicable certification preferred.
• Valid New York State drivers license required.
• Demonstrated competence in verbal, written, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Capability to transition easily between working independently with a high degree of self-initiative and contributing as part of a team.
• Must be flexible to work during hours participants are available, including evening and weekend hours.
• Must be able to complete and pass all components of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention physical intervention training.
• Applicants must be capable of sustained physical exertion.
• Must have a commitment to use The Sanctuary Model and work from a strength-based, youth development and trauma-informed perspective.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred

Additional Information :

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity .

We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach , and believe in our mission.

Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations.

These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.