Therapeutic Recreation Program Manager (Park/Rec Specialist III)

About the role

This position performs highly skilled work with individuals with varying disabilities (ages 2‑100+) and historically underserved youth in various settings. It works under the direction of the Therapeutic Recreation Operations Manager and is responsible for managing multiple therapeutic recreation programs, guiding professional and paraprofessional staff, and ensuring inclusive, welcoming, and belonging best practices across the agency.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple therapeutic recreation programs and guide professional and paraprofessional staff in delivering inclusive activities and services.
• Direct and monitor planning, coordination, administration, and evaluation of several county‑wide programs.
• Provide training and support to agency staff on inclusive programming and adaptation strategies.
• Research and identify needs and gaps in services for the disability community; recommend new programs, practices, and protocols.
• Plan therapeutic activity interventions and services.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve program or participant problems, including behavior interventions and appropriate program placement.
• Assume supervisor on‑call responsibilities for managing weekend and evening programs.
• Serve as department liaison to project committees, inter‑agency or departmental teams, and community groups.
• Oversee staffing, marketing, training, participant registration, and resource acquisition for program implementation.
• Develop community and agency partnerships to enhance or expand service delivery.
• Conduct ongoing evaluation and quality assessments of programs; analyze findings.
• Recruit, interview, hire, train, coach, and evaluate up to 60 program staff.
• Recommend policy and operational procedure changes or improvements.
• Track program expenditures and complete administrative reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university in recreation and park, therapeutic recreation, horticulture, agriculture, cultural and historic resources, or a closely related field.
• Three years of experience in park or recreation‑related work, including at least one year of supervisory experience.
• Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the above may be considered.

Required Certifications and Licenses

• CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications (required within 3 months of hire).
• Certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (required within 17 months of hire).
• Additional certifications may be required depending on the area of assignment, with the expectation that the employee will obtain them within the specified time frame.

Special Requirements

• Criminal background check and Child Protective Services Registry check.
• Tuberculosis (TB) screening upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with community therapeutic recreation and/or prevention‑oriented recreation programs.
• Experience working with multiple disability groups and at‑risk youth.
• Experience supervising and coaching professional staff.
• Experience managing multiple, complex tasks and projects.
• Knowledge of general medical and psychiatric terminology, associated diagnoses, and therapeutic recreation principles and practices.
• Current certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

Physical Requirements

The position is active in nature and requires the ability to monitor and observe participants, regularly move about or position oneself to supervise and interact at participants’ level, and occasionally lift, transport, position, push/pull, or move up to 50 pounds. The incumbent must be sufficiently mobile to perform repetitive standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, sitting on the floor, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and twisting, and to react quickly to participants’ physical actions. Administrative and supervisory duties require operation of keyboard‑driven equipment and effective verbal and written communication. Attendance at meetings and presentations at various locations is required.

Schedule

Must be able to work evenings and weekends to meet program requirements.