Director of Therapeutic Recreational Therapy

Job Overview

The Director of Therapeutic Recreation & Youth Development Programs is responsible for designing, coordinating, and implementing all Therapeutic Recreation (TR) and Youth Development (YD) programs for youth in the residential and day programs. The Director is also responsible for designing and implementing therapeutic after-school programming adhering to New York State CFTSS services standards of practice for children attending our programs. The Director is expected to work closely with interdisciplinary leaders to ensure all children are receiving recreation appropriate to their needs and abilities and is meeting their goals. This position reports to the Senior Clinical Director of Residential Services to ensure Therapeutic Recreation and Youth Development services are consistent with the agency’s strategic vision and core values.

Essential Duties

Key duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversee all aspects of Therapeutic Recreation Department campus-wide serving both residential and day program youth
• Strategically grow and implement Therapeutic Recreation programs including Therapeutic Afterschool and CFTSS programming
• Coordinate programming, quality assurance, and safe operation of Special Therapeutic Recreation Programs; Ropes Course Program, MSF Dirtbike School (RIDE) Program, RAP Studio Program, and Swimming Program
• Initiate and manage relationships with agency partners delivering Recreational Therapy services, supports, and trainings; Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship, Winter4Kids, The Motorcycle Mall, Power Play Project, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Project Adventure, Union Music Studio, etc. (including coordination of annual safety inspections and quality assurance audits as necessary)
• Coordinate annual campus events such as Camp Week, Halloween, Back to School Celebrations, and other holiday and cultural celebrations
• Collaborate closely with Clinical Department and Recreation Therapists to ensure Therapeutic Recreation services are driven by treatment goals, the APIED Process, and youth surveys and progress is recorded in EMR system under CFTSS umbrella
• Develop and manage Youth Development Programs such as Student Council and Youth Volunteering
• Assist in discussions around scope of work and manage contract process with external consultants and contractors relevant to Rectreational Therapy
• Coordinate and deliver annual trainings and refresher trainings as necessary for direct reports and auxiliary staff members; Ropes Course facilitator trainings, Lifeguard trainings, MSF trainings, etc.
• Provide professional development, training, and technical support and coaching to direct reports and auxiliary staff members
• Provide direct supervision for departmental staff (Recreation Therapists, Lifeguards, consultants/ contractors, and auxiliary staff members)

• Lead special projects under the direction of the Sr Director of Residential Clinical Services
• Work collaboratively with colleagues on special projects and day to day issues
• Supports overall strategic plan of the organization
• Ability to adhere to our organization’s core values and commitments

Essential Qualifications

Key qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field required, Master’s degree preferred
• CTRS certification and experience with APIED process required
• Minimum 3 years’ experience with Recreational Therapy preferably in the field of children’s services and/or developmental disabilities
• Minimum 1 years of leadership, managerial, and supervisory experience
• NCTRS specialization areas such as: adaptive sports and recreation, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and/or pediatrics a plus
• Past or present training and/or certification(s) in Level 1 & Level 2 Challenge Course Facilitation, Lifeguarding & CPR/AED, Animal Assisted Interventions, Music Production, and off-road Motorcycle Instruction preferred or ability to obtain certifications within first year of employment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and virtual platforms, including Zoom and Teams and ability to learn Electronic health records
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills with ability to interface and work with small and large groups
• Strong organization, planning, communication, and event coordination skills
• Ability to communicate and liaison between agency departments and work as an effective inter-disciplinary team member
• Ability to access and utilize ADP app on smartphone or other device for access to agency programs

Physical/Travel Requirements

• Must possess ability to sit, stand, walk, see, climb stairs, and lift weight of up to 30 lbs
• Recreational Therapy staff must possess ability to navigate the elements of the Ropes Course and motorbikes as trained
• Must possess manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer keyboard
• Must have physical capacity to restrain or assist in the restraint of a child
• Must be able to hear and see well enough to provide appropriate supervision of children

The employee must be able to meet these requirements with or without a reasonable accommodation

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts Andrus’ right to modify the duties/responsibilities of this job at any time, with or without advanced notice

EEO Statement

Andrus is an equal opportunity employer