Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28245
Overview
Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career
Please Apply By:
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Hiring Range:
$47,392.80/yr - $62,203.05/yr
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation offers a supportive, inclusive culture with technology to help you grow. We seek your unique voice and perspective to help the department improve and serve the community. Join us to build an exceptional experience for yourself and a better working world for all.
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) hosts many community events each year, including the Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park. MCPRD strives to enrich residents’ lives by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, promoting fitness, and fostering community through events and spaces for social interaction. We protect open spaces, pursue stewardship of natural areas and trees, and support the County’s vision to be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE. The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and covers 523 square miles, including the City of Charlotte, six towns, and unincorporated areas. MCPRD manages 21,000+ acres and 230+ parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. Our success is rooted in our staff and we offer great opportunities for those looking to join a dynamic team.
Position Summary Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services is excited to add a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist to the team. This full-time position provides community-based, goal-oriented recreation and leisure programs for individuals with disabilities. The incumbent will perform individual client assessments and evaluate community programming needs, and will educate, advocate and support inclusion services across MCPRD. The selected candidate must hold credentials including Licensed Recreational Therapist (North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure) and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (National Council for Therapeutic Recreation). The position is based at Tyvola Senior Center with a varied schedule including days, evenings and weekends based on business needs.
By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available.
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreation Therapy
Experience performing Therapeutic Recreation assessments
Essential Functions
Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate therapeutic recreation programs
Develop, monitor, and evaluate participant progress in therapeutic recreation programs
Plan and conduct workshops regarding therapeutic recreation programs for organizations, agencies, and support groups
Coordinate inventory and requisitions, supplies, and maintenance of equipment as needed
Train, supervise, and evaluate Therapeutic Recreation Intern staff in accordance with NCTRC guidelines
Develop revenue streams for programs
Plan, implement, evaluate, and participate in leisure activities
Market programs to disability-specific organizations, agencies, and support groups within the community
Implement behavior management and inclusion policies to create a successful environment for all participants
Provide inclusion evaluations and support for community members seeking involvement in traditional recreation settings
Respond to emergency situations as needed
Supervise volunteers, interns, and temporary staff
Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
No experience required.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted?:
Yes
Licenses and Certifications:
Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License and County Driving Privileges; Current CTRS (NCTRC) and LRT licensure (NC BRTL); If not a current NC resident, ability to obtain LRT licensure within 45 days of hire; First Aid/CPR
Computer Skills:
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge:
Diagnostic-specific criteria related to disabilities and implications for recreation and leisure involvement; physical, cognitive, developmental, psychiatric, and emotional/behavioral disabilities; TR modalities; professional organizations; communication techniques; behavior management and de-escalation techniques; TR philosophy and APIE process; program design, leadership, documentation; health and wellness information
Skills:
Managing multiple tasks; organizing and presenting demonstrations; research to support job performance; knowledge of state-approved de-escalation curriculum; wheelchair transfers and tie downs
Abilities:
Adaptability, Applied Learning, Building Trust, Communication, Customer Focus, Initiating Action, Safety Awareness
Compensation and Benefits In addition to a competitive salary, Mecklenburg County offers a generous benefits package which increases total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, disability, cancer, leave and more; flexible spending accounts; health savings account; paid holidays, vacation and sick days; onsite clinics; employee discounts; employee assistance program; fitness facilities access; paid family leave; tuition reimbursement; retirement plan with employer match.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer This is not an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
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Please Apply By:
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Hiring Range:
$47,392.80/yr - $62,203.05/yr
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation offers a supportive, inclusive culture with technology to help you grow. We seek your unique voice and perspective to help the department improve and serve the community. Join us to build an exceptional experience for yourself and a better working world for all.
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) hosts many community events each year, including the Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park. MCPRD strives to enrich residents’ lives by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, promoting fitness, and fostering community through events and spaces for social interaction. We protect open spaces, pursue stewardship of natural areas and trees, and support the County’s vision to be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE. The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and covers 523 square miles, including the City of Charlotte, six towns, and unincorporated areas. MCPRD manages 21,000+ acres and 230+ parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. Our success is rooted in our staff and we offer great opportunities for those looking to join a dynamic team.
Position Summary Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services is excited to add a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist to the team. This full-time position provides community-based, goal-oriented recreation and leisure programs for individuals with disabilities. The incumbent will perform individual client assessments and evaluate community programming needs, and will educate, advocate and support inclusion services across MCPRD. The selected candidate must hold credentials including Licensed Recreational Therapist (North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure) and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (National Council for Therapeutic Recreation). The position is based at Tyvola Senior Center with a varied schedule including days, evenings and weekends based on business needs.
By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available.
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreation Therapy
Experience performing Therapeutic Recreation assessments
Essential Functions
Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate therapeutic recreation programs
Develop, monitor, and evaluate participant progress in therapeutic recreation programs
Plan and conduct workshops regarding therapeutic recreation programs for organizations, agencies, and support groups
Coordinate inventory and requisitions, supplies, and maintenance of equipment as needed
Train, supervise, and evaluate Therapeutic Recreation Intern staff in accordance with NCTRC guidelines
Develop revenue streams for programs
Plan, implement, evaluate, and participate in leisure activities
Market programs to disability-specific organizations, agencies, and support groups within the community
Implement behavior management and inclusion policies to create a successful environment for all participants
Provide inclusion evaluations and support for community members seeking involvement in traditional recreation settings
Respond to emergency situations as needed
Supervise volunteers, interns, and temporary staff
Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
No experience required.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted?:
Yes
Licenses and Certifications:
Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License and County Driving Privileges; Current CTRS (NCTRC) and LRT licensure (NC BRTL); If not a current NC resident, ability to obtain LRT licensure within 45 days of hire; First Aid/CPR
Computer Skills:
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge:
Diagnostic-specific criteria related to disabilities and implications for recreation and leisure involvement; physical, cognitive, developmental, psychiatric, and emotional/behavioral disabilities; TR modalities; professional organizations; communication techniques; behavior management and de-escalation techniques; TR philosophy and APIE process; program design, leadership, documentation; health and wellness information
Skills:
Managing multiple tasks; organizing and presenting demonstrations; research to support job performance; knowledge of state-approved de-escalation curriculum; wheelchair transfers and tie downs
Abilities:
Adaptability, Applied Learning, Building Trust, Communication, Customer Focus, Initiating Action, Safety Awareness
Compensation and Benefits In addition to a competitive salary, Mecklenburg County offers a generous benefits package which increases total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, disability, cancer, leave and more; flexible spending accounts; health savings account; paid holidays, vacation and sick days; onsite clinics; employee discounts; employee assistance program; fitness facilities access; paid family leave; tuition reimbursement; retirement plan with employer match.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer This is not an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
#J-18808-Ljbffr