Recreational Therapist Manager

About the role

The Recreation Therapist Manager provides leadership, coordination, and therapeutic recreation expertise for Harc’s Children’s Community Engagement Program. This role is responsible for planning, implementing, evaluating, and continuously improving inclusive recreational, social, and skill-building programming for children and young adults with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation and community engagement programming for children and young adults with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities.
• Plan inclusive recreational, social, and skill-building activities that are developmentally appropriate, person-centered, and responsive to participant interests and support needs.
• Evaluate program effectiveness, participant engagement, activity outcomes, and overall service quality.
• Adapt activities and environments to support participation by individuals with diverse intellectual, emotional, behavioral, communication, sensory, and physical needs.
• Supervise, coach, and guide Direct Support Professionals and other program staff during recreational and community-based activities.
• Provide staff guidance on adaptive recreation strategies, positive engagement, social skill development, and individualized support within a group-based service model.
• Coordinate schedules, staffing assignments, supplies, activity logistics, and community-based programming opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, recreational facilities, civic organizations, and other inclusive activity providers.
• Support safe participation in community settings by implementing supervision plans, risk awareness practices, and program protocols.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to participation, attendance, activity planning, program outcomes, incidents, and participant progress.
• Communicate regularly with families, guardians, program leadership, DDS representatives, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Contribute to continuous quality improvement efforts by reviewing data, identifying trends, and recommending program enhancements.
• Ensure services reflect Harc’s commitment to dignity, inclusion, person-centered planning, and meaningful community participation.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in a rehabilitation therapeutic recreation program performing such activities as program evaluation, planning, and application for individuals with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities.
• College training in a recognized therapeutic recreation discipline may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of fifteen semester hours equaling one-half year of experience, up to a maximum substitution of four years for a Bachelor’s degree.
• Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation, recreation therapy, human services, special education, rehabilitation, or a related field preferred.
• Experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising or coaching direct support staff preferred.
• Knowledge of adaptive recreation, inclusive programming, community-based supports, and person-centered planning preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and support program reporting requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn required documentation, scheduling, and data systems.
• Reliable attendance, strong time management, and ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings or weekends as program needs require.