Recreation Therapist

Make a difference in the lives of older adults and people with disabilities!

We are proudly hiring compassionate and enthusiastic Recreation Therapists to support our Southern Alexandria / Lorton Senior Centers!

As a Recreation Therapist, you have a unique opportunity to support the social inclusion and ongoing dignity and quality of life for older adults and adults with disabilities.

You will participate in the continuum of care for the individuals at your site, and adapt and facilitate all manner of active engagement activities so that adults with all ability can access a fun and free lifestyle.

This position starts at $25 per hour , and includes a robust benefits package that sets us above the rest! It includes :

Great Work / Life Balance - NO evenings or weekends! Work shifts from 8am - 4pm Monday - Friday only.

Over three (3) weeks of paid time-off during first year, and ten (10) Federal Holidays observed!

Full Health, Vision and Dental coverage from Cigna with premium cash-back opportunities.

Retirement Matching and generous 403(b) and 401(a) options

100% Company-Paid Life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, and Disability Insurance

Established promotion opportunities and clear career pathways

Tuition reimbursement and professional development funds available

$500 annual reimbursement for your personal wellness

and much more!

Job Summary

The Recreation Therapist is responsible for the planning and implementing of adapted recreation services for the senior center participants in a social inclusion model.

These services are recreational, therapeutic, social, and informational, and are designed to meet the diverse needs of the participants.

Monitors and evaluates participant progress.

Primary Duties

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. These duties and responsibilities will be rated on the Annual Performance Review.

Adapt activities to enable seniors to participate in activities of their choice.

Serve on interdisciplinary teams to assure access to activities.

Support participants and families to facilitate movement across the continuum of care.

Lead and support a variety of adapted activities to support the participant in achieving goals as identified by the individual and his / her team.

Work in close collaboration with the senior center staff to promote an inclusive environment.

Additional Responsibilities

Provide leadership in the participant's initial assessment, plan, and goals.

Support participants, families, and staff for transitions along the continuum of care.

Create special and regular recreational and therapeutic activities utilizing staff and community resources and present to the Senior Services Director for approval, as required.

Coordinate calendar of activities in cooperation with senior center staff.

Lead individual and group recreation therapy sessions. Support participant health and wellness.

Adapt senior center programs as needed to support full inclusion.

Support virtual programing on the virtual center for active adults.

Plan and coordinate field trips. Accompany participants on field trips.

Maintain appropriate reports on participant assessment, behavioral changes, progression and / or regression. Document in participant chart any significant event.

Maintain a pleasant, stimulating, secure setting for participants. Provide coverage at other senior centers.

Perform other responsiblties as assigned.

Qualifications : Education, Experience, and Certification(s )

Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field and a minimum 2 years’ related experience working with older adults and / or people with disabilities required.

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification required.

Valid driver’s license and / or access to reliable transportation to perform work-related travel required. Eligible drivers must have a good motor vehicle record (MVR).

Availability and willingness to travel weekly to two or more job sites. Job site locations may vary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Relate well to older adults and people with disabilities.

Must be committed to a social inclusion model.

Ability to work with cross agency teams.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office skills, and the ability to become familiar with corporate specific programs and software.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Detail-oriented and able to carry out work with the highest levels of accuracy.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions .

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.

The employee is occasionally required to walk and sit. The employee may occasionally lift or move products and supplies, up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to quiet.