Recreation Specialist

LOCATION: Syosset/Brightwaters

REPORTS TO: Recreation Coordinator

DEPARTMENT: LI Residential

SCHEDULE: Full Time

$1,500 Hiring Bonus

AGENCY BACKGROUND:

MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

The MercyFirst Brightwaters Group Home has been designed to be a residential program providing care for up to 12 adolescents, between the ages of 14 up to 20, at any given time. The group home offers a community-based, home-like atmosphere for youth deemed to need residential foster care placement, providing a structured, supervised and therapeutic environment to meet their special needs. The program is designed for individuals with a history of behavioral difficulties that cannot be successfully maintained in their family home setting or a foster home, a history of multiple unsuccessful placements, as well as victims of abuse/maltreatment and trauma. The program provides individual, group, and family therapy with 24-hour supervision within our structured therapeutic milieu.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the Supervision of the Recreation Coordinator, the Recreation Specialist will provide the residents with a full enriching Recreation Program.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA Degree in related field.
• Prior experience working with adolescents.
• Prior experience with at risk youth strongly preferred.
• Must have and maintain a valid Drivers License with a satisfactory driving record.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, supervise, and carry out all programs of recreation (including special events, recreational programming, volunteer opportunities in the community, and trips)
• Ensure that all activities encompass the therapeutic needs of the youth with a focus on concepts of creativity, teamwork, fairness, and self-esteem building.
• Create activities that will promote wellness, mindfulness, cooperation, and positive socialization in order to increase structured activities both on and off-campus.

BENEFITS/PERKS:

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family
• 403B retirement benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays)
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP
• Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
• Trainings to support professional and personal development
• Employee wellness program
• Employee recognition activities

Salary Range:
$42,000 - $44,000.00 (35 hours/week)
Hiring bonus of $1,500 after 500 worked hours

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment