Recreation Worker

RECREATION WORKER

STARTING WAGES:   $24.00/hour

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High School Diploma or equivalent (copy required upon initial hire date)
• Background in sports and recreation
• Physical (required within one month of initial hire date)
• Valid NYS Drivers License (copy required upon initial hire date)
• Ability to work with a diverse population presenting a variety of cultural, socioeconomic, developmental and sexual identities.  Must have the ability and willingness to establish and foster healthy and supportive relationships that acknowledge individual identities and encourage personal growth.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Degree in Related Field

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must successfully complete all required background checks:

§ NYS Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR)

§ Multi-State Sex Offender Registry (SOR) 

§ NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) fingerprinting

§ NYS Justice Center Staff Exclusion List (SEL) 

§ NYS OMIG Medicaid Exclusion List

§ Out-of-state child abuse register inquiry of any state in which the person resided within the last five years (if applicable)

§ NYS License Event Notification Service (LENS)

§ Office of Inspector General (OIG)

1. Must successfully complete Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)

HOURS: 

• Must be able to work some weekends, afternoons and evenings
• Must be flexible to meet the needs of the program

OBJECTIVES OF POSITION:

1. To help create and maintain a safe, healthful and nurturing environment for the children in care at the Agency.
2. To assist in the planning and execution of therapeutic leisure activities that are designed to enrich the children's experiences at the Agency, specifically recreation, and special events.
3. To assist members of the treatment team in the implementation of individual treatment goals.
4. To provide positive role models for children in care at the Agency.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. General supervision of children.
   1. Encourage each child to participate in a variety of campus activity programs actively.
   2. Teach children appropriate social interaction skills, team skills, sportsmanship, cooperation and other activity skills.
   3. During recreation periods, if not directly involved with the activity, circulate throughout the recreation area of the building and monitor resident activity and the environment.  No resident activity may take place without staff supervision on site.
   4. Help mediate and intervene in resident misbehaviors and conduct life space interviews with residents before they return to their cottages.
   5. At the conclusion of recreation periods, document level of resident participation in the appropriate forms and inform cottage staff of behavioral consequences, if any.
   6. Comply with any reasonable request for assistance by another staff member in working with residents.
   7. Prepare Incident Reports on critical incidents and forward them to the appropriate Cottage Manager or Cottage Director in a timely fashion.
   8. Prepare reports to the treatment team on each child as scheduled.
   9. Help each child to achieve goals identified by the treatment team, particularly the goals as related to recreational activities.
   10. During times of staff shortages, may be required to assist in the role of Child Care Worker for Cottages.
2. Activity Leadership:
   1. Organize, initiate and supervise scheduled activities as instructed or as needed.
   2. Provide alternative activities as needed after approval is granted by the Director or Assistant Director of Campus Activities.
   3. Assign Child Care Workers to supervise appropriate activities.
   4. Ensure all equipment and conditions of the recreation areas being used are safe.
   5. Document activity results on the activity evaluation forms.
   6. Be knowledgeable of behavioral standards and help residents adhere to these standards.
3. Building Supervision:
   1. Monitor the condition of the Fieldhouse and report any need for repairs of equipment or facilities to the Director of Recreation.
   2. Monitor the recreation areas for litter and debris and maintain a clean and neat environment at all times.
   3. At the end of each day's recreation program, ensure that all children and staff have left the building and all doors are properly locked or closed.
4. Transport children to and from off-campus activities.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Campus Activities.
6. Responsible for adhering to and performing all duties in accordance with every safety standard, practice, and policy of The William George Agency.   This includes, but is not limited to, review of The William George Agency’s Safety Policy and attending all required safety-related training.
7. Adhere to all rules, regulations, policies, and philosophy of The William George Agency and the New York State Department Office of Children and Family Services.                                                    

DEPARTMENT:   Recreation

About The William George Agency for Children’s Services

The William George Agency for Children’s Services is located on a 650-acre campus nine miles northeast of Ithaca, in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. It is a private not-for-profit residential treatment center licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) that serves both male and female youth between the ages of 12 and 21, and their families, who present with significant mental health issues, behavioral difficulties, and substance abuse issues.  Our programs offer an array of treatment modalities specifically designed to meet the needs of our youth. 

The William George Agency for Children’s Services is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunities without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

The intent of this job description is to provide, in broad terms, the general functions and responsibilities of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific job duties and responsibilities for any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Outstanding Benefits Package

Working at The William George Agency for Children’s Services comes with benefits that exceed salary alone. There are personal rewards including comprehensive health and retirement plan options. We also offer generous paid time off in an effort to support your work-life balance.