Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Mecklenburg County, Raleigh, NC, United States
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 will be based at Tyvola Senior Center and will conduct community‑based, goal‑oriented, and objective‑driven recreation and leisure programs for individuals with disabilities, perform client assessments, evaluate community programming needs, and implement behavior‑management strategies.
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum 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 of supplies and maintenance of equipment as needed.
Plan, implement, evaluate, and participate in leisure activities.
Market programs and inclusive services to disability‑specific organizations, agencies, and support groups within the community.
Supervise volunteers, interns, and temporary staff.
Respond to emergency situations as needed.
Develop and implement revenue streams for programs.
Train, supervise, and evaluate Therapeutic Recreation Intern staff in accordance with NCTRC regulations and guidelines.
Minimum Qualifications Experience:
No experience required.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field.
Licenses/Certifications:
Current certification as a CTRS through NCTRC and current licensure as a LRT through NCBRTL; valid North Carolina or South Carolina driver’s license and county driving privileges; First Aid/CPR; ability to obtain LRT licensure within 45 days if not a current resident of NC.
Computer Skills:
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Expertise in diagnostic criteria related to disabilities served and implications for recreation and leisure participation.
Knowledge of physical, cognitive, developmental, psychiatric, and emotional/behavioral disabilities.
Understanding of stages of human development and appropriateness related to chronological or developmental age.
Knowledge of therapeutic recreation modalities, including experiential education, social skills training, communication skills training, independent living skills training, community integration, leisure education, and motor skills development.
Awareness of local, state, and national professional organizations and human service agencies related to the TR practice.
Communication techniques to be used with individuals with various disabilities.
Behavior management, positive behavioral support, and de‑escalation techniques.
Knowledge of TR philosophy and APIE process.
Program design, leadership, implementation, and documentation.
Health and wellness information.
Skills
Managing multiple tasks concurrently.
Organizing and presenting demonstrations in area of specialization.
Performing research to obtain pertinent information essential to job performance.
Use of North Carolina Intervention curriculum.
Capability for wheelchair transfers and tie‑downs.
Abilities
Adaptability to changes in work responsibilities or environment.
Applied learning to assimilate and apply new information in a timely manner.
Building trust in interactions.
Clear communication to individuals or groups.
Customer focus to meet client needs.
Initiating action to accomplish objectives proactively.Safety awareness and maintenance of safety standards.
Compensation and Benefits The salary range is $46,464.86/yr to $60,985.13/yr. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, accident, cancer, critical illness, medical bridge and pet insurance; dependent care, healthcare, and commuter flexible spending accounts; health savings account; paid holiday, vacation and sick days; near‑site clinics; employee discount program; employee assistance program; access to county fitness and aquatic facilities; paid family leave; tuition reimbursement; a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions and a defined benefit plan for retirement.
Work Environment Moderate noise typical.
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 Statement This is not an all‑inclusive list of job‑related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business needs or the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
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Preferred Qualifications
Minimum 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 of supplies and maintenance of equipment as needed.
Plan, implement, evaluate, and participate in leisure activities.
Market programs and inclusive services to disability‑specific organizations, agencies, and support groups within the community.
Supervise volunteers, interns, and temporary staff.
Respond to emergency situations as needed.
Develop and implement revenue streams for programs.
Train, supervise, and evaluate Therapeutic Recreation Intern staff in accordance with NCTRC regulations and guidelines.
Minimum Qualifications Experience:
No experience required.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field.
Licenses/Certifications:
Current certification as a CTRS through NCTRC and current licensure as a LRT through NCBRTL; valid North Carolina or South Carolina driver’s license and county driving privileges; First Aid/CPR; ability to obtain LRT licensure within 45 days if not a current resident of NC.
Computer Skills:
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Expertise in diagnostic criteria related to disabilities served and implications for recreation and leisure participation.
Knowledge of physical, cognitive, developmental, psychiatric, and emotional/behavioral disabilities.
Understanding of stages of human development and appropriateness related to chronological or developmental age.
Knowledge of therapeutic recreation modalities, including experiential education, social skills training, communication skills training, independent living skills training, community integration, leisure education, and motor skills development.
Awareness of local, state, and national professional organizations and human service agencies related to the TR practice.
Communication techniques to be used with individuals with various disabilities.
Behavior management, positive behavioral support, and de‑escalation techniques.
Knowledge of TR philosophy and APIE process.
Program design, leadership, implementation, and documentation.
Health and wellness information.
Skills
Managing multiple tasks concurrently.
Organizing and presenting demonstrations in area of specialization.
Performing research to obtain pertinent information essential to job performance.
Use of North Carolina Intervention curriculum.
Capability for wheelchair transfers and tie‑downs.
Abilities
Adaptability to changes in work responsibilities or environment.
Applied learning to assimilate and apply new information in a timely manner.
Building trust in interactions.
Clear communication to individuals or groups.
Customer focus to meet client needs.
Initiating action to accomplish objectives proactively.Safety awareness and maintenance of safety standards.
Compensation and Benefits The salary range is $46,464.86/yr to $60,985.13/yr. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, accident, cancer, critical illness, medical bridge and pet insurance; dependent care, healthcare, and commuter flexible spending accounts; health savings account; paid holiday, vacation and sick days; near‑site clinics; employee discount program; employee assistance program; access to county fitness and aquatic facilities; paid family leave; tuition reimbursement; a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions and a defined benefit plan for retirement.
Work Environment Moderate noise typical.
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 Statement This is not an all‑inclusive list of job‑related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business needs or the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
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