Recreation Assistant

The Salvation Army International; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 34,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

RRSPs

Paid vacation and sick time

Flexible work options

Job summary

The Salvation Army is seeking a dedicated recreation program planner to design and deliver meaningful activities for residents under the supervision of the Activity & Volunteer Manager. The role emphasizes teamwork, resident engagement, and accurate record-keeping within a care setting.

Candidates should have a post‑secondary diploma or degree in recreation/leisure or a related field, plus experience with seniors. Computer skills and the ability to work flexible shifts are required.

Qualifications

• Post‑secondary diploma or degree in recreation and leisure studies or a related field.
• ,
• Must complete within three years; experience with seniors is an asset.
• Experience planning and implementing meaningful programs.

Responsibilities

• Plans and implements recreation programs for residents under supervision.
• Promotes a team environment and collaborates with staff and volunteers.
• Maintains program records and resident assessments.
• Ensures safety policies are followed and participates in education sessions.
• Engages residents in programming and supports feeding on assigned units.
• Swipes in/out at each shift and assists with equipment as needed.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Stress management

Education

Diploma/degree in recreation & leisure or related field

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description

Position Purpose Summary

Under the direction of the Activity & Volunteer Manager plans and implements recreation programs to meet the needs and interests of the Residents.

Specific Responsibilities

• Assists in the planning, organization and implementation of meaningful programs for the resident of the facility in collaboration and under the supervision of the Activity & Volunteer Manager.
• Promotes and supports a team environment.
• Works co-operatively with the Activity & Volunteer Manager, all staff and volunteers.
• Assists in the maintenance of appropriate department records including admission, quarterly and annual assessments and participation statistics.
• Maintains effective communication and good human relations with residents, families, volunteers and staff from other departments.
• Shares responsibility for the care, inventory and organization of the equipment and supplies in the department.
• Assists in maintaining a safe environment for the residents and staff by following safety policies and procedures, reporting hazardous situations and equipment in the appropriate manner.
• Attends education sessions within the home and in the community in order to keep informed on current trends in LTC and programming for seniors.
• Maintains a good attendance record according to Salvation Army policy.
• Participates in team conferences to plan, develop and assess individual resident care plans.
• Involves residents as much as possible in programming, encouraging and allowing them to do as much as possible for themselves.
• Cares for facility pets as assigned.
• Assist with feeding on assigned unit.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Activity & Volunteer Manager.
• Swipes in and out at the start and end of each shift using the Employee time clock.

Working Conditions

Flexible shifts, evening and weekend work may be required. Prolonged standing and walking. Lifting and moving residents, equipment and supplies. Repeated bending and stooping. Exposure to resident elements through regular resident contact. Stress resulting from dealing with resident care needs and time pressures.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

• Is aware of employee’s responsibilities and follows all health and safety policies and procedures.
• Works safely to reduce the risk of injury to self and all others living or visiting the home.
• Is alert to and promptly reports all actual or potential hazardous situations to immediate supervisor.
• Does not operate faulty equipment.
• Wears personal protective equipment (or clothing) as required by task, MDS or facility policy.
• Promptly reports personal injury to supervisor or charge nurse and seeks first aid as needed.
• Participates in fire safety demonstrations and fire drills, and knows the facility fire and disaster plan.
• Is a competent person as defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Ability to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion (i.e., The Salvation Army Abuse Registry) and provide an original copy of a vulnerable sector check search.

Education and Experience

Post‑secondary diploma or degree in recreation and leisure studies, therapeutic recreation, kinesiology or other related field from a community college or university, or be enrolled in a community college or university in a diploma or degree program in such a field. (Must complete within three years) Experience working with seniors, experience in LTC an asset. Experience in planning, organizing and implementing meaningful programs. Computer skills.

Personal / Special Requirements

• Physically ability to carry out responsibilities and able to cope effectively with stress.
• Ability to develop and maintain rapport with elderly residents.
• Ability to work cooperatively with all managers and staff and create a working climate that is positive and mutually supportive.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Commitment to the care of the elderly.
• Maintain an acceptable standard of behaviour and appearance.
• An energetic, patient and compassionate person who respects and enjoys working with seniors.

Disclaimer

This job profile is a generic, territory-wide representation of the job class and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not replace or supersede the official job description as defined in the applicable collective agreement. For specific duties, responsibilities, and terms of employment, please refer to the collectively bargained job description.

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $25.73 to $26.06 with a maximum of $26.39. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role. The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [e-mail] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.

Benefits

Our employees are motivated by the fulfillment and meaning they experience as they serve people in need across Canada and Bermuda. Whether at the front-lines or in a support role, as part of our team you’ll work alongside a diverse and skilled group of purpose-driven professionals, empowered to provide exceptional service. We deeply value the relationships we build in the workplace, as well as the opportunities given to us such as the potential to experience flexibility at work, receive health and dental benefits, paid vacation and sick time, RRSP’s, as well as to expand our skills and advance our careers as together we build a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Why Join Us

We deeply value the relationships we build in the workplace, as well as the opportunities given to us such as the potential to experience flexibility at work, receive health and dental benefits, paid vacation and sick time, RRSP’s, as well as to expand our skills and advance our careers as together we build a culture of continuous learning and growth.

There is a place for everyone to belong at The Salvation Army.