Unleash Your Passion as a Recreation Specialist

Join a Team That Makes a Difference!

Do you have a passion for recreation and a heart for making a difference in the lives of individuals with diverse abilities? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA) is seeking a dynamic Recreation Specialist to be at the forefront of creating memorable experiences. This is not just a job; it's a chance to become a catalyst for change and personal growth.

Position: Recreation Specialist

Department: Recreation

Reports To: Recreation Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt Employee

Salary: $46,000

Summary:

As a Recreation Specialist, you'll be the driving force behind organizing, implementing, and evaluating a wide range of programs and services for youth and adults with diverse abilities who participate in NEDSRA programs. This is a full-time salaried position, and your commitment may require exceeding 40 hours per week, including evenings and weekends.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the Way: Take charge of various NEDSRA programs, catering to a diverse range of ability groups.
• Create and Document: Craft detailed written work, including lesson plans, program evaluations, and Board reports.
• Mentor and Guide: Coach, mentor, and supervise support staff to ensure everyone reaches their full potential.
• Be the Wheels: Safely drive agency vehicles to transport participants and for other agency business.
• Budget Savvy: Skillfully interpret, adjust, and complete program budgets.
• Team Player: Collaborate effectively with partner staff, consumers, and all stakeholders to enhance the association and programs.
• Spread the Word: Conduct public presentations to promote services and raise community awareness.
• Support and Fundraise: Assist the supervisor with various tasks and actively contribute to agency fundraising efforts, including events, grants, and community support.
• Safety First: Champion a safe work environment and safe programs by following all safety policies and guidelines including, but not limited to, those pertaining to program leadership, driver policies, emergency procedure guidelines, crisis management procedures, accident/incident reporting procedures, drug-free workplace policy and communicable disease policy.
• Perform other assignments as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the aforementioned.

Your Impact:

Your role will be instrumental in the success of NEDSRA programs.  Supervisory responsibilities include:

• Develop, promote, and supervise a diverse range of recreation programs.
• Supervise patrons participating in agency programs and activities.
• Provide guidance, direction, and constructive feedback to support staff.

Competencies:

To excel in this role, you should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Attendance/Punctuality: Demonstrate consistent attendance and on-time arrival..
• Dependability: Follow instructions, respond to management direction, keep commitments, and complete tasks on time.
• Safety and Security: Be safety-conscious, report unsafe conditions, and follow safety policies and procedures.
• Planning/Organizing: Prioritize and plan work effectively.
• Judgment: Exhibit sound and appropriate judgment, support and explain reasoning for decisions, include appropriate people in decision-making process and make timely decisions.
• Professionalism: Interact with others respectfully, even under pressure.
• Problem Solving: Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, gather and analyze information skillfully, develop alternative solutions, work well in group problem-solving situations and use reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Client Relations/Support Service: Handle participant situations adeptly, respond promptly to their needs, and seek feedback for continuous improvement.
• Teamwork: Promote and support work teams, put success of team above own interests and support everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Oral Communication: Listen and get clarification; and respond well to questions.
• Organizational Support: Follow policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience
Must have a degree from an accredited university in Therapeutic Recreation or related field. Certification by a professional association and record of ongoing participation in continuing education seminars and workshops is desirable.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondences and to speak effectively before groups of patrons or employees of organization.

Sign language skills are desirable.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to solve problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications and Google applications.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• CTRS certification as required.
• Valid Illinois state driver’s license and the ability to pass the defensive driving course as required.
• Obtain and maintain CPR and first-aid certification.
• Obtain CPI or related training.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee will assist patrons in moving, transferring and vehicle loading. The employee may occasionally need to perform physical patron-restraint techniques. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to various outside weather conditions including hot temperatures, humidity and cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Are you ready to turn your passion for recreation into a meaningful career? Apply today and help us make a positive impact in the lives of those with unique abilities.

Contact:

Maggie Goode

Superintendent

Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association

1770 West Centennial Place

Addison, IL 60101

Phone: 630-620-4500

Email: mgoode@nedsra.org