Recreation Specialist

Title:                 Recreation Specialist

Program:          59th Street Women’s Shelter

Salary Range:  $42,557-$46,557 annually

Program Overview:

The 59th Street Women’s Shelter is a 200-bed, 24/7 emergency shelter for homeless women diagnosed with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Our comprehensive services include case management, individual and group counseling, recreational activities, occupational therapy, and housing placement assistance. Additionally, a street-facing, on-site Article-28 Clinic provides primary care, and behavioral health care services.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

The essential duties of the Recreation Specialist include but are not limited to the following activities: 

• Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities such as arts, crafts, sports, games, on-site tournaments and other leisure time activities 

• Meet with clients regularly to ascertain and interpret client interests and develop activities to meet their interests 

• Manage the daily operations of recreational schedule 

• Meet new clients, introduce them to the recreational program and encourage participation  

• Complete and maintain time and attendance forms  

• Document client participation in recreational activities in client’s case records 

• Meet and collaborate with agency personnel, community organizations, NYC Parks Department, and other professional personnel to plan balanced recreational programs for participants 

• Escort clients to recreational activities and other relevant events 

• Encourages clients to attend house meetings/support groups, recreational activities and supports their effort

• Participate with Team and attend meetings as required. 

• Communicates with the Social Services team to discuss client concerns or client’s progress. 

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Social Services, Assistant Director and/or Program Director. 

Physical Activities

While performing the duties of this position, the Recreation Specialist must be able to navigate the 9-story facility by foot, climbing up and down the stairwells, in order to observe staff and clients. The Recreation Specialist must be able to lift or move material and equipment weighing up to 15 pounds.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in social work, public administration, psychology, education, sociology, occupational or physical therapy, or other related human services fields
• An Associate’s degree in the aforementioned fields with one (1) year of experience
• A High School Diploma or GED equivalent with two (2) years of experience
• Bilingual or multilingual a plus

Preferred Skills

• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate staff to accomplish stated program goals and objectives while developing their individual and group skills.
• Team building: Ability to develop and foster, through demonstration, a team spirit, enabling staff to overcome the challenges of providing needed services to a special client population.
• Communication: Excellent oral, writing, and listening skills are a must.
• Organizational: The ability to work well within a highly pressurized, deadline environment, while meeting the short-term and long-term mandates of the program.
• Interpersonal: An ability to interface with clients as well as all levels of staff.
• Computer: Knowledge of case management software as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite