Recreational Assistant

GENERAL: Work as a partner with individuals with developmental disabilities to discover their preferences, build relationships, and utilize community resources. The position is primarily one of being a catalyst to become a bridge builder between the community and the people we support.

Are you a creative, fun-loving person who wants to work somewhere that makes a difference? Are you organized and responsible and want an opportunity to work as a member of a team? Do you have or want experience planning in-house and community events?

Apply to work at The Arc Greater Hudson Valley’s Rec & Teen Program!

This program specializes in creating fun events for adults with disabilities to spend time with us while their full time caregivers take some time for themselves! Past events include trips to local sports games, haunted houses, the Bronx Zoo, amusement parks, and holiday lightshows, as well as in-house painting nights, yoga, and our Friday Night dance parties! We are also heavily involved with and proud of our partnership with the Special Olympics! Start to finish, this club is as fun as you want to make it, and around here, we love to make things exciting!

As the staff in this program, you lead monthly meetings with our members to plan the next month’s activities, and with help from your teammates, you plan, host, and celebrate those events and activities with the members! Working closely with the Respite Coordinator and Respite Supervisor, you’d have a direct support role with the families, as well as with the community connections that we foster as a means of improving the lives of our members.

High School Diploma/GED required.

One year experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities including leading and/or coordinating community or voluntary activities preferred.

Other skills required include a pleasant demeanor, an ability to work as part of a team, ability to problem solve and the ability to demonstrate a working knowledge of person -centered approaches.

Valid driver’s license required - minimum 2 years.

Other requirements include: excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills and organizational skills. Must also be able to demonstrate through action and relationships within the organization a commitment to teamwork and the agency mission.

Availability Requirements: Full-time (30hr), Part-time (15hr), and per diem positions available

Pay Rate: 15.67

SPECIFIC: The DSP Recreation shall:

• Assist to develop, implement and provide recreational services to club members.
• Assist to develop an activity calendar with additional notes and information on a monthly basis.
• Expand circle of relationships in the person’s life to increase role valuation and acceptance.
• Advocate for the individuals served by developing and maintaining effective working relationships with additional community companions, family members and other supports to ensure continuous and effective provision of services.
• Maintain respectful and professional communication with family members.
• Expand acceptance of community resources to build relationships and self-esteem.
• Increase genuine integration of community functions.
• Remain flexible to work with individual preferences, tolerance and schedule.
• Transport individuals to community functions, venues, and outings.
• Provide leadership, guidance, safety, and security during recreational activities.
• Provide courteous, respectful and consistent care to individuals served and their families and guardians and maintain work schedule as indicated with the Recreation calendar.
• Become a certified Special Olympic coach and update certification for new sports.
• Must maintain Special Olympics certification, which is done annually at a coach’s conference.
• Ensure club member’s Special Olympics certifications are up to date, and notify families when forms are soon to be expired.
• Maintain open communication with Special Olympics Regional Office, to ensure timely registration, updated consent forms, and detailed information to Special Olympics events.
• Monitor, document, secure and submit in a timely fashion all expenses related to service delivery.
• Ensure timely completion of agency documentation and training as per OPWDD

Preferred Qualities:

· Experience in person-centered / customer service field

· Experience working with adults with disabilities

· Experience as a team member

· Experience as / interest in becoming an event planner

· Experience working with private, time-sensitive documentation

· Detail oriented

· Accountable

· Takes pride in ownership of their work

· Flexible

· Motivated self-starter

· Great at conflict resolution

· Role model

· Creative

· Positive, upbeat, people-person