Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Overview

Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career

Please Apply By: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Hiring Range: $47,392.80/yr - $62,203.05/yr

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation offers a supportive, inclusive culture with technology to help you grow. We seek your unique voice and perspective to help the department improve and serve the community. Join us to build an exceptional experience for yourself and a better working world for all.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) hosts many community events each year, including the Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park. MCPRD strives to enrich residents’ lives by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, promoting fitness, and fostering community through events and spaces for social interaction. We protect open spaces, pursue stewardship of natural areas and trees, and support the County’s vision to be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE.

The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and covers 523 square miles, including the City of Charlotte, six towns, and unincorporated areas. MCPRD manages 21,000+ acres and 230+ parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. Our success is rooted in our staff and we offer great opportunities for those looking to join a dynamic team.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services is excited to add a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist to the team. This full-time position provides community-based, goal-oriented recreation and leisure programs for individuals with disabilities. The incumbent will perform individual client assessments and evaluate community programming needs, and will educate, advocate and support inclusion services across MCPRD. The selected candidate must hold credentials including Licensed Recreational Therapist (North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure) and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (National Council for Therapeutic Recreation).

The position is based at Tyvola Senior Center with a varied schedule including days, evenings and weekends based on business needs.

By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available.

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreation Therapy
• Experience performing Therapeutic Recreation assessments

• Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate therapeutic recreation programs
• Develop, monitor, and evaluate participant progress in therapeutic recreation programs
• Plan and conduct workshops regarding therapeutic recreation programs for organizations, agencies, and support groups
• Coordinate inventory and requisitions, supplies, and maintenance of equipment as needed
• Train, supervise, and evaluate Therapeutic Recreation Intern staff in accordance with NCTRC guidelines
• Develop revenue streams for programs
• Plan, implement, evaluate, and participate in leisure activities
• Market programs to disability-specific organizations, agencies, and support groups within the community
• Implement behavior management and inclusion policies to create a successful environment for all participants
• Provide inclusion evaluations and support for community members seeking involvement in traditional recreation settings
• Respond to emergency situations as needed
• Supervise volunteers, interns, and temporary staff

• Experience: No experience required.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field
• Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted?: Yes
• Licenses and
  
  Certifications:
  
  Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License and County Driving Privileges;
  Current CTRS (NCTRC) and LRT licensure (NC BRTL);
  If not a current NC resident, ability to obtain LRT licensure within 45 days of hire;
  First Aid/CPR
• Computer
  
  Skills:
  
  Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

• Knowledge: Diagnostic-specific criteria related to disabilities and implications for recreation and…