Recreation Leader

Recreation Leader – Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages

Location: Papillion, NE
Service Line: Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages
Schedule: Full-Time

Hillcrest Health & Living is looking for an energetic, creative, and compassionate Recreation Leader to join our team at Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages in Papillion, NE.

This is a great opportunity for someone who loves bringing people together, creating meaningful experiences, and finding ways to make every day a little more engaging. At the Cottages, recreation is about more than filling a calendar—it is about helping elders stay connected, involved, and doing the things that bring them joy.

At Hillcrest, our mission is simple: Inspiring people to live their best lives. As a Recreation Leader, you will help bring that mission to life through activities, relationships, creativity, and meaningful moments throughout the day.

What You’ll Do

As a Recreation Leader, you will help plan and carry out engaging recreation opportunities that support each elder’s interests, abilities, and overall well-being.

You will:

• Plan and lead group and individual activities based on elder interests and preferences.
• Create engaging opportunities that promote socialization, connection, movement, creativity, and fun.
• Complete recreation and leisure assessments to better understand individual interests and needs.
• Support care planning and required activity documentation.
• Assist with MDS-related recreation documentation as needed.
• Develop activity calendars and help keep recreation opportunities fresh and engaging.
• Provide one-on-one activities and companionship for elders who may prefer smaller or more individualized experiences.
• Help create sensory and enrichment activities for elders with different cognitive or physical needs.
• Coordinate parties, celebrations, special events, and seasonal activities.
• Help decorate community spaces for holidays, events, and special occasions.
• Encourage participation while respecting each elder’s choices and preferences.
• Maintain activity supplies, equipment, and recreation spaces.
• Assist with volunteers and community involvement as appropriate.
• Work closely with nursing, dining, social services, and other team members to support the whole elder experience.
• Communicate changes in participation, behavior, or needs to the appropriate team member.
• Jump in wherever needed to help create meaningful moments throughout the Cottages.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who brings energy, creativity, and genuine connection to the role.

The right candidate will be comfortable leading a group one minute and sitting down for a one-on-one conversation the next. You should enjoy learning what matters to each elder and finding ways to turn those interests into meaningful activities and experiences.

Ideal candidates will have:

• A warm, outgoing, and engaging personality.
• Strong creativity and the ability to develop new activity ideas.
• Confidence leading both group and individual activities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Dependability and consistent follow-through.
• Ability to stay organized and manage multiple activities and priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation.
• Ability to adapt activities based on different physical or cognitive abilities.
• A positive, encouraging approach.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• A genuine interest in working with aging adults.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced senior living environment.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous recreation, activities, senior living, healthcare, hospitality, education, or similar experience preferred.
• Experience working with aging adults preferred.
• Experience planning or leading group activities, events, or recreational programming is helpful.

Why Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages?

At the Cottages, the goal is to create a home-like environment where relationships, independence, choice, and connection matter.

That makes recreation especially important.

You may be leading a favorite game, planning a celebration, helping someone rediscover an old hobby, creating a sensory activity, or simply spending time with an elder who needs a little extra connection that day.

Those moments matter.

If you enjoy people, creativity, variety, and seeing the immediate impact of your work, this could be a great fit.

What Hillcrest Offers

• Full-time opportunity.
• Multiple health insurance plan options for eligible team members.
• Vision, dental, and life insurance.
• Supportive leadership and a collaborative team.
• Professional development and career-growth opportunities.
• Dayforce Wallet, allowing you to choose when you get paid.
• Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.
• Opportunities to build experience in senior living and recreation programming.
• Opportunities to grow within Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages and Hillcrest Health & Living.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Must be able to speak, read, and write English.
• Must be able to safely assist with recreation programs, events, and activities.
• Must be able to perform repetitive standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, and movement throughout the day.
• Must be flexible and calm when responding to elder, family, or team needs.
• Must have strong attention to detail and be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to utilize technology and available resources efficiently and effectively.
• Must be able to set up, move, and organize activity supplies and equipment as needed.
• Must follow established infection-control, safety, and resident-care procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Ready to Bring More Connection and Meaning to Every Day?

If you are energetic, creative, and love finding ways to bring people together, we would love to meet you.

Join Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages as a Recreation Leader and help us continue inspiring people to live their best lives through connection, creativity, and meaningful experiences every day.