Position Summary

The Recreational Therapist is tasked with helping Newhouse clients restore their physical health and wellbeing. The position works closely with and reports to the Director of Children’s Services. The role also requires supporting all other leadership and programming staff and helping key staff understand their roles and responsibilities with client wellbeing.

All Newhouse team members must be able to adapt to a continually evolving environment and thrive in an autonomous and deadline-oriented workplace.

Principal Accountabilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

• Design and implementation various and diverse therapeutic recreational activities for all Newhouse clients (children and adults).
• Schedule classes, facility reservation, and transportation as necessary.
• Evaluate assigned programs including surveys to clients and staff regarding programs.
• Partner with treatment teams to assess and encourage participation of all clients.
• Communicate changes in client’s condition, objectives or treatment to care team
• Ensure timely documentation of interventions and ensure interventions are based on the client’s treatment plan.
• Assist in resolving concerns and complaints from participants and staff.
• Establish and keep open lines of communication with clients, other staff, and community partnerships.
• Research available grants, sponsors, fundraisers, etc. to reduce costs for recreation programs and work with Development team on proposals.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with community based organizations, public agencies, local universities, city agencies, and other collaborators.
• Provides clinical supervision for recreational therapy assistants, recreational therapy aides, student interns and field placement students who are completing field placements and internships as a degree and credentials requirement and assures that National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) requirements for field placements are met.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Abilities + Qualifications

• Comfortable in a high performing, fast-paced and quickly growing organization; demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals, meet deadlines and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Dedicated to the details and masterful at multi-tasking. Ability to organize and prioritize tasks in order to meet deadlines.
• Proven history of self-directed work to improve processes and procedures and excellent understanding of business processes and operations.
• Must possess executive maturity, sound judgment and a professional appearance.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills.
• Integrity, honesty and high ethical standards.
• Keen interpersonal skills, being sensitive to our Trauma Informed Care and Inclusive Culture of Belonging models.
• Alignment and adherence to the Newhouse mission, vision, and principles.
• Proven ability to use outstanding interpersonal, political navigation, and communication skills to build strong relationships and negotiate challenging situations. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Effective at getting people on the same page.

Work Conditions

Work conditions are typical of those in an office setting. There may be extending periods of sitting, standing, walking up and down stairs and/or traveling on the elevator. Staff may be subject to noises such as others speaking or children playing, given the shelter’s communal living structure. There are times the shelter must go into privacy mode for the privacy or safety of staff/residents. The intercom system is used to communicate these needs.

Educational Requirements

Must be Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) meet the education, supervised clinical experience, and other requirements, including practice in accordance with professional standards of practice and codes of ethics, of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation. Minimum of two years' relevant experience in a supporting role.

Work schedule is typically M-F. Work schedule and hours may vary; evenings and weekends may be required for special projects. Newhouse provides a flexible and virtual work environment to the extent that it does not interfere with meeting the needs of our clients and residents.

At Will Employment

There is no minimum period of employment guaranteed or implied by acceptance of an employment offer. It is the policy of Newhouse that employment is at will, which means that employment is for no specific term and that employment may be terminated by the employee or Newhouse at any time without cause.

Equal Opportunity + Affirmative Action Employer

Newhouse is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We celebrate diversity and know that in serving a diverse population and employing a diverse team, we position our organization and community to thrive. We promote diversity of thought, culture and background and are committed to a work environment of belonging that gives voice to, supports, inspires and respects all individuals.

Employment at Newhouse is solely based on a person’s aptitude, qualifications and professional competence. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, gender expression, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.