Recreational Specialist
Shrub Oak International School (SOIS) is a private, special education boarding and day school preparing students on the Autism Spectrum to lead more independent and meaningful lives. We serve the sophisticated needs of a domestic and international co-ed population. Our innovative relationship-based model grounded in evidence-based principles builds on students' strengths and interests, maximizing therapeutic and learning opportunities. Our renowned experts work with students to individualize life and development paths based on each student’s specific needs and interests. Each student’s team of clinicians, teachers, and campus- life staff collaborate closely to address the student’s issues quickly and reinforce therapies and learning paths, so that the student progresses more rapidly. Our modern, technology-infused facility is set on 127 acres of agriculture and farmland where students learn in a natural environment full of sensory experiences.
The Pines at Shrub Oak is a 24-bed, coeducational, interim residential placement for students on the autism spectrum who may need significant psychiatric support and stabilization before transitioning to a less restrictive environment. Students at the Pines receive psychiatric services in addition to the academic and life skills instruction in a safe, supportive environment with a 2:1 student to staff ratio.
Position Summary
The Recreational Specialist will report directly to The Pines Clinical Team Lead and is a professional with experience and expertise in creating and executing meaningful recreational programming. This individual will be responsible for providing individual and group recreational activities tailored to the individualized needs of The Pines students, with the goal of enhancing holistic functioning and well-being. The Recreational Therapist will be a part of The Pines transdisciplinary team and will work collaboratively with clinical and other providers to provide comprehensive support and treatment to all students. The Recreational Specialist will also work with and conduct trainings with Direct Service Providers (DSP’s) to enhance their ability to support and facilitate meaningful recreational programming. Due to the nature of this position the Recreational Therapist will work evening and weekend hours as part of their regular weekly full-time schedule. Having access to confidential information, discretion and independent judgement is required.
Essential Functions:
Conducts comprehensive assessments and reassessments of a student's recreational and functional needs within the approved parameters of their expertise
Provides recreational activities & programming to individuals and groups to support skill development and overall wellness
Oversees the development and execution of a comprehensive recreational schedule for all students at The Pines
Provides support and training for Youth Care Specialists (YCS) around providing meaningful and intentional recreational engagement and programming
Meets with and supports parents around how to provide meaningful recreational engagement for students in the home/ community environment
Provides crisis management and/or classroom push in/pull out support as necessary
Works evening and weekend shifts as part of regular schedule to support comprehensive recreational programming throughout the day/ week.
Functions as a member of an interdisciplinary team to support the comprehensive treatment of students in The Pines
Is a member of The Pines DBT consultation team
Collaborates with Mental Health Clinician to engage students and families in treatment planning to set achievable and measurable goals and supports the identification and execution of interventions designed to support the attainment of those goals
Completes accurate and timely documentation around treatment planning, progress noting, and others as required
Performs any other responsibilities as needed and required
Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for the job.
Experience & Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree or higher in Recreational Therapy or related field preferred. 5+ Years of Experience in a role providing recreational programming for students with special needs will be considered.
Active NCTRC Certification preferred
At least 2-5 years’ experience working as a recreational therapist/ recreation specialist in a behavioral health, residential, or educational setting
Experience working with students on the autism spectrum or with developmental disabilities strongly preferred
DBT experience is a plus
Competencies
Exceptional communication (oral and written) and active listening skills to appropriately understand and meet student needs, as well as to interact with faculty, staff, families, and all external constituencies
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a demonstrated ability to understand, problem solve, and make sound determinations/decisions in situations with complex facts and data
Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders while being sensitive and responsive to the diverse needs of students, families, faculty, and staff, with a high degree of cultural competency and collegiality
Ability to effectively and proactively interact with a wide variety of individuals in a manner that values diversity, and positively portrays our programs, personnel, and philosophies
Ability to multitask and make sound and appropriate decisions under pressure, where situations/circumstances are continually evolving
Ability to work as a team player and cross-functionally with other disciplines and programs within Shrub Oak
Computer proficiency and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other software
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Full-time hourly position with regular evening and weekend hours
Pay: 65k-85k + Competitive Benefits
Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essential functions of their job. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibility
No
Budget Responsibility (if yes, please state amount)
No
What are the nature and scope of independent decisions made in this position?
Must be able to think analytically, critically, assessing a variety of information to make complex judgements on student situations, outcomes, Shrub Oak policies and protocol.
Work Environment
Participate and work in all areas of the campus, indoors and outdoors.
Physical Demands
Work regularly requires sustained concentration. Sitting at a desk, walking up and down stairs (program has 3 floors), around a hilly campus as needed, may also require walking between floors or between buildings at a moment’s notice.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a 12-month Full-time position (traditional 40-hour work week). Your manager will discuss the particular shift hours, which could be day, evening and/or weekends. Demands of the job may require working outside these hours and on weekends as needed and required.
Travel (if yes, percentage of travel time required)
N/A