Recreation Specialist

About the role

The Recreation Specialist will work with youth, ages 11 – 18, within the City of Poughkeepsie community to provide recreation and enrichment activities for youth who engage in the FSI Youth Programming at the Family Partnership Center. The Recreation Specialist will work with the Family & Community Engagement Coordinator and Youth Social Worker to plan and implement activities that help develop athletic, creative, academic, workforce and social skills. Their primary role will be to assist with basketball and non-contact boxing activities.

Schedule

• Monday 3–8 pm
• Wednesday 3–8 pm
• Thursday 3–5 pm
• Friday 3–8 pm

Total: 17 hours per week.

Qualifications

• A passion for working with middle and high school youth
• Must be able to pass all background checks for working with youth
• Connection to the City of Poughkeepsie community
• Ability to work irregular/flexible hours
• High School diploma or its equivalent and two years’ direct experience working with youth required
• Associate degree or bachelor’s degree in human services (sociology, social work, etc.) preferred

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of Youth Services Social Worker, assist in implementation of activities that engage middle and high school youth including athletic, creative, academic, workforce and social skills development activities
• Attend weekly staff meetings and participate effectively by discussing and planning programming, youth concerns, restorative justice action plans, incentive and behavioral programming, outreach, and Youth Advisory Council decisions
• Conduct outreach in the community to encourage youth participation in programs at the Family Partnership Center
• Ensure the respectful treatment of property, keeping the spaces used by the program clean and organized, and restoring rooms at the conclusion of daily program activities
• Complete all administrative tasks as assigned on a timely basis
• Maintain active and ongoing communication with their direct supervisor
• Participate in the Youth Advisory Council through attending and participating in meetings, identifying agenda items and focusing on improving positive youth development
• Supervise the youth in programs; intervene and mediate conflicts that could result in escalation and/or violence
• Participate in ongoing trainings as assigned
• Other duties assigned, based upon the needs of the program

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision of children
• Cultural competence and ability to relate to a wide variety of audiences
• Community organizing abilities
• Crisis management, trauma-informed and restorative justice practices
• Compassion and empathy for participants’ needs and possess strong advocacy skills

Essential Requirements

• Upon hiring, must be able to complete online Positive Youth Development 101 training administered by Act for Youth
• Upon hiring, must complete Mandated Reporter training administered by OCFS
• Must be onsite during program operating hours
• Established cell phone and willing to use for work with effective coverage for Dutchess County; must be reachable outside of office hours if needed
• Possess valid driver’s license
• Strong computer skills, particularly with the Microsoft Office suite

Pay

$20.00 per hour, non-exempt.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5%
• Generous paid vacation, holiday, sick and personal time package (2 weeks’ vacation to start, 13 paid holidays per year, 12 sick days per year and 4 personal days per year)
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Access to Family Services’ Compassionate Leave Program where employees can donate/receive unused time off
• Group term life and long-term disability insurance
• Supplemental life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment coverage (AD&D), supplemental insurance through Aflac
• Pet insurance

Mission

Family Services brings people together to find the support they need, improving their lives and communities, and building a stronger safer Hudson Valley.

Values

• Compassion – Extending empathy and understanding to others
• Integrity – Being honest and dependable
• Hope – Believing in the strength of the human spirit and heart, to emerge and thrive when faced with a challenge
• Diversity – Promoting a vision of community comprised of wide-ranging assets
• Respect – Treating all individuals with dignity and without judgement
• Community – Recognizing and reinforcing the importance of our world as being comprised of people of differing strengths and perspectives
• Justice – Promoting social and economic equity and fairness
• Quality – Aspiring for excellence in every aspect of our work