Assistant Director of Recreational Therapy

Bradford Woods is Indiana University’s Outdoor Center located 30 minutes north of the IU Bloomington campus. The 2,500-acre private property includes a 110-acre lake and hosts over 400 unique programs annually, ranging from retreats and events to environmental education and therapeutic camping.

About the role

The Assistant Director of Recreational Therapy provides leadership and oversight for the cabin life and therapeutic camping components of Bradford Woods’ summer camp programs. This role supervises Cabin Life Coordinators, Cabin Heads, Cabin Counselors, and Recreational Therapy Interns to ensure exceptional camper care, safety, and therapeutic integrity. The Assistant Director supports the full therapeutic recreation process, including camper assessment, individualized goal development, intervention implementation, progress evaluation, documentation, and discharge planning.

Responsibilities

• Provides mentorship and feedback to Recreational Therapy Interns while ensuring therapeutic services are integrated into all aspects of camp programming.
• Leads recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and training of cabin life staff and Recreational Therapy Interns.
• Coordinates and develops new and existing programs with clients and partners.
• Oversees cabin life and medical camping operations, ensuring high standards of camper safety, supervision, welfare, behavior support, and medical/social/emotional care.
• Manages the recreational therapy process, including assessments, individualized goal development, intervention implementation, progress monitoring, documentation review, and discharge planning.
• Develops and facilitates pre-camp and in-season training focused on camper supervision, therapeutic recreation practices, inclusion strategies, and documentation standards.
• Coordinates scheduling and communication with clients, families, and partner organizations.
• Manages program logistics and provides exceptional customer service.
• Develops, implements, and expands Recreational Therapy-aligned programs, including new summer camp sessions, weekend events, retreat offerings, and multi-session program series.
• Monitors implementation of policies, risk management procedures, and professional standards related to therapeutic camping and residential life.
• Supports evaluation of camper outcomes and overall program effectiveness.
• Collaborates with the Bradford Woods program team to provide global program support, including event hosting, leading trail lessons, and facilitating activities.
• Designs and implements recreational, educational, professional development, and team-building retreats, camps, and other outdoor education programming.
• Manages day-to-day operations, logistics, and issues related to programming, providing technical or informational support to participants.
• Identifies and develops contracts, partners, and coalitions.
• Researches, identifies, and negotiates facilitators, speakers, and presenters.
• Develops educational materials, curriculum, equipment, elements, and other resources necessary to conduct programmatic offerings and services.
• Designs and implements activities appropriate for participants in outdoor programs, camps, or retreats and works with leaders to develop itineraries.
• Designs and implements evaluation tools for program effectiveness, makes recommendations, and implements changes based on results.
• Assists in budget development and revenue projections and ensures programs align with budgetary needs.
• May assist with seasonal or temporary staffing needs including selection, hiring, training, and supervision.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 2 years of experience in a related field.
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential plus 1 year of experience.
• Valid U.S. Driver’s license.
• Previous experience working and leading staff in a fast-paced, dynamic camp environment (preferred).

Skills

• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills.
• High commitment to quality.
• Flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.

Working Conditions

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and operate a computer and other standard office equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. Responsibilities require frequent movement across campus, including outdoor terrain, program areas, and residential facilities, as well as time spent in a traditional office setting. Work is performed in varied weather conditions during program delivery and camp operations. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

This position requires the ability to live on-site.

Schedule

This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt position. Work hours vary based on operational needs and seasonal program demands. During the summer camp season, extended hours, including evenings and weekends, are required to support residential and program operations. Outside of the summer camp season, the position generally follows standard business hours, with some evening and weekend commitments for recruitment, training, event hosting, and program support.

Pay

$40,000.00 - $42,500.00 annually

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance.
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU.
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting.
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options.
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses.
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year.
• Generous paid time off plans.
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).