Recreation Therapy Assistant

Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health coverage

RRSP matching

Generous PTO including vacation and personal days

Birthday off

Job summary

A non-profit organization for families is seeking a Recreation Therapy Assistant to develop and evaluate meaningful recreation and social programs. This full-time role requires flexibility and teamwork to meet the needs of families with sick children. Responsibilities include monitoring program effectiveness, coordinating family trips, and collaborating with the Family Services team. Ideal candidates will bring a post-secondary degree or diploma in Recreation Therapy and a commitment to culturally safe care. Competitive salary and benefits are included.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and facilitating programs.
• General knowledge of trauma-informed care.
• Ability to promote culturally safe care.
• General knowledge of trauma-informed care and Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Ability to promote competent, culturally safe care with a diverse population.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate recreation and social programs.
• Coordinate and lead trips for families.
• Monitor program effectiveness and collaborate with the Family Services team.
• Provide directional guidance to volunteers or practicum students.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programs.
• Coordinate and lead trips for families.
• Oversee spaces with the Programs Manager (den, playroom, education room).
• Maintain program records, sign‑ups, and monthly calendars.
• Support purchasing and inventory of supplies.

Skills

Team collaboration

Communication

Flexibility

Problem-solving

Multitasking

Problem solving

Education

Post-secondary degree or diploma in Recreation Therapy Assistant program

Job description

About The Organization

At Ronald McDonald House® British Columbia and Yukon, we envision a province where families stay close to their sick children. Today, 2 out of 3 Canadians live in a city or town without a children’s hospital. Our Mission is to give sick children the healing power of being together with family.

As a champion of family-centered care, we enable access to children’s hospitals by providing families with sick children accommodation, meals, and wellness programs that support their emotional and physical well‑being.

Since opening our first 13‑bedroom House in Vancouver in 1983, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon has continued to grow to meet the rising need for support. In 2014, we opened the Heather House, a 73‑bedroom House on the grounds of BC Children’s Hospital, along with a Ronald McDonald House Family Room inside Surrey Memorial Hospital. In 2025, we expanded once again, opening new Family Rooms at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, and the University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George, bringing comfort, care, and a place to rest to families throughout the province.

With the demand for services increasing, we are planning for even greater impact through expansion with a second House. The new Willow House is intentionally designed for comfort, connection, and wellness, and will offer families more space, more support and more ways to stay together during the toughest times. We aim to double our capacity and impact across BC and Yukon over the next five years, ensuring even more families can stay close when it matters most.

Our team is the backbone of this mission; serving families, supporting volunteers and donors, and helping spread awareness every single day.

About The Position

The Recreation Therapy Assistant reports to the Programs Manager and works in a collaborative, team‑based environment to develop, deliver, and evaluate meaningful recreation and social programs that support the diverse population we serve.

This full‑time role requires flexibility, including availability during evenings and weekends, to meet organizational needs and provide meaningful programming for families. The schedule may vary weekly to accommodate program requirements.

Program Role

• Develop intentional programming to increase the well‑being for all ages – adult and children.
• Facilitate programming with support of volunteers or students.
• Provide functional direction to volunteers or practicum students.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programs.
• Provide detailed information about programs and the therapeutic benefits.
• Actively collaborate with the Family Services team to increase program engagement, being flexible and adaptable to an ever‑changing fast paced environment.
• Coordinate and lead out trips for families.
• Collaborate with the Celebration Committee to facilitate seasonal events and celebrations.
• Work closely with Programs Manager to oversee program spaces; den, playroom, education room, celebration cupboard.

Reporting and Administration

• Update, post, and maintain records of programs schedule and sign‑up sheets.
• Create and organize memos and signage for distribution.
• Prepare a calendar of events and present monthly to the team.
• Maintain inventory of program supplies and materials; Support purchasing.
• Support the celebration committee with follow up notes/minutes.
• Participate in meetings as required.
• Meet weekly with Programs Manager.

Job Specific Competencies And Skills

• Alignment with the mission and values of Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon.
• Ability to represent the House with a polished, positive and professional demeanor and attitude at all times.
• A commitment to working cooperatively in a team environment with staff, volunteers, families, donors and the public.
• Eager and enthusiastic to support the wellness and care of families.
• Commitment to work collaboratively in a team environment with staff, volunteers, families, donors, and the public, in the best interest of families.
• Ability to work independently to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Collaborative approach to problem‑solving.
• Adaptability and willingness to support change and innovation.

Experience And Educational Requirements

• Post‑secondary degree or diploma in a Recreation Therapy Assistant program.
• Previous experience in non‑profit is an asset.
• Experience developing and facilitating programs.
• General knowledge of trauma‑informed care and Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Ability to promote competent, culturally safe care with a diverse population.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference for families from across BC and the Yukon.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, including extended health coverage, RRSP matching, generous PTO including vacation, personal days, wellness days, summer Fridays and your birthday off.
• A collaborative and supportive team culture committed to impact and innovation.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Please note: all successful candidates will be required to undergo a vulnerable sector criminal record check.