Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SPECIALIST duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Plans, coordinates, implements, supervises, and evaluates varied therapeutic recreation programs in the following areas such as: fitness, leisure education, social, adaptive aquatic/swim, outdoor adventure-based, and summer day camps, etc.
• Works with children, teens, and adults with disabilities, which may include various levels of intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, physical disabilities, and various levels of Autism.
• Works directly in recreational programs providing verbal direction to staff, participants and volunteers; physical assistance to participants (i.e.
  
  - lifting and transferring from/to wheelchairs, securing wheelchairs in vans/buses for transportation; hand over hand assistance, assistance with activities of daily living, etc.).
• Works in a variety of environments: shared office space of 3-5 co-workers, classrooms, pool/deck, outdoors, gymnasium, beach, nature trails, lakes/waterways, etc.
• Provides in-service training for staff on the principles and practices of therapeutic recreation, community inclusion, activity adaptations, disabilities, leisure education, behavior management, and program planning.
• Interviews, hires, trains, and supervises part time staff and volunteers to assist with the implementation of therapeutic recreation programs.
• Provides quality customer service, which includes immediate co-workers, other city employees, participants, parents and the general public.
• Makes referrals to other programs and services (i.e.
  
  - Inclusion or general recreation).
• Works collaboratively with the department, committees, teams, and other agencies.
• Prepares required reports, documents, paperwork and promotional materials.
• Utilizes a graded and gradual hierarchy of interventions when interacting with participants who become aggressive, following Mandt Training guidelines (I.e.
  
  - philosophy and attitude; verbal communication; walking with and accompanying; supporting; avoiding; redirecting; releasing and restraint, if needed for the safety of all involved).
• Maintains a safe environment.

Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on the current workloads and department needs

At Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, our success is because of our dedicated employees. We are intentional about creating an employee experience where you are empowered to reach your full potential, are supported through strength-based initiatives, and are confident in your abilities. We champion a workplace culture built on our cultural foundations:
Professionalism, Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Citizenship. These guiding principles of behavior cultivate a positive and high performing work environment. Success is recognized and celebrated, and legendary experiences are the core of who we are.

Employees who are new to the Virginia Retirement System are eligible for:

• Annual Leave and Sick Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Coverage
• Legal and Identity Theft Protection
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Hybrid Retirement Plan & Basic Life Insurance
• Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (COV
  457)
• Basic Life Insurance
• Optional Life Insurance
• Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance Program / Work-Life Services
• Paid Maternity/Paternity/Parental Care Leave

The City of Virginia Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer.