Program Leader - Summer Seasonal

At NSSRA, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to play. Formed in 1970 with that goal in mind, we were the first Special Recreation Association in the country, offering programs and services for children, teens, and adults with disabilities. We are similar to a park district; however, we only serve residents in our partner communities with special needs.

Fifty years later, we serve approximately 1,800 individuals throughout the year in the northern suburbs of Chicago. We’re all about creating an environment of belonging through play, and we want you to be a part of our team!

Are you a professional or aspiring professional in the fields of special education, social work, therapeutic settings, or disability services seeking additional leadership opportunities? Gaining experience in therapeutic recreation can enhance your qualifications and provide transferrable skills to your career, all while making a difference!

In this role, you are responsible for the following tasks:

• Work all scheduled programs, assignments and commitments.
• Communicate with other staff throughout the program including transition between activities, maintaining safety at all times.
• Assist with activities of daily living such as feeding, changing, toileting and transferring.
• Keep participants safe at all times.
• Provide activity adaptations as necessary.
• Provide behavior management and, if CPI certified, physical restraint as an absolute last resort.
• Supervise and provide instruction to participants in the water during swim time.
• Attend to specific dietary restrictions of participants, following through with plans provided by families.
• Attend orientation, meetings and in-services as scheduled and required.
• Complete required paperwork including, but not limited to, program planning, evaluations, attendance forms, accident/incident reports, applicable safety forms.
• Utilize UKG to clock in/out, update timesheets, and request time off.
• Demonstrate dependability, punctuality and promptness.
• Know whereabouts of assigned participants at all times.
• Follow participant plans for assigned individuals at all times.
• Ensure that participants have all personal belongings throughout program and when they leave program (i.e. coats, hats, backpack, communication device, etc.).
• Assign staff to participants prior to start of program and adjust assignments as needed.
• Provide guidance and supervision for assisting staff and volunteers.
• Supervise and evaluate job performance of staff and volunteers, as assigned.
• Dispense medication following proper dispensing procedures.
• Communicate with Recreation Specialists and/or Manager on status of your programs.
• Coordinate necessary program supplies for each program.
• Ensure all receipts and monies are recorded properly and disbursed as necessary for each program.
• Distribute general materials (i.e. printed program guides, special supplies).
• Perform other duties necessary for the efficient and effective operation of NSSRA, as assigned.

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Possess a valid Driver’s License.
• Personal transportation to and from NSSRA programs and partner agencies.
• Must be certified in CPR, First Aid and CPI or obtain certification within 3 months of hire and maintain certification throughout employment.
• Pass a pre-employment physical and drug test.
• Must maintain a driving record with no more than one moving violation within a 12-month period.
• Prefer to have or be working toward a degree from an accredited university in Therapeutic Recreation or related field or equivalent experience in recreation setting, working with individuals with disabilities.

This is a summer/seasonal position with approximately 20 hours per week. Saturday availability is required. Must be available to attend mandatory training sessions on 5/19 and 5/20 from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM.

$20 - $26 per hour, dependent on qualifications

• Paid Time Off
• Referral Program
• Eligible for Summer Attendance Program Bonus

NSSRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.