Recreational Specialist

Canadian Mental Health Association; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 56,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension)

Comprehensive Health Benefits

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Paid Vacation Days

Learning & professional development

Job summary

CMHA Kenora Branch is seeking a Recreational Specialist to join the Assertive Community Treatment Team. You will assess, plan, coordinate, and provide recreation-based therapies to clients with severe mental illness, aiming to promote recovery and community integration.

The role requires a Recreation Therapy Diploma or SSW/BSW and registration with the appropriate body. You will work within a multidisciplinary team to create client-centered activities and partnerships with community resources.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Recreation Therapy, SSW or BSW with active registration.
• Knowledge of mental health and related difficulties.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and supervision of recreation activities.
• Familiarity with equipment used in games and sports.
• Ability to plan and direct group recreation activities.
• Strong assessment and evaluation skills.
• Known community resources and agencies for referrals.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Computer literacy and recording skills.
• CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to all CMHA policy and confidentiality requirements.
• Maintain client and data files with updated information.
• Develop and deliver client-centered recreational programming.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team for recovery goals.
• Facilitate individual and group recreation activities and outings.
• Engage with community services to support transition and independence.
• Monitor outcomes and adjust plans per Individual Recovery Plans.
• Provide crisis intervention and advocacy as needed.

Skills

Mental health knowledge

Safety protocols

Group activity planning

Assessment skills

Community resources

Team collaboration

Cultural competence

Valid driver’s license

Vulnerable Sector Check

CPR/First Aid

Education

Recreation Therapy Diploma or SSW or BSW degree

Job description

Why join CMHA Kenora?

We are a team committed to our vision of mental health support for all. We offer an inclusive, innovative, and high-performance work culture that helps us deliver transformational impact. The organization cares about the growth, safety and well-being of employees and offers:

• Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• Comprehensive Health Benefits
• Employee & Family Assistance Program
• Paid Vacation Days
• Learning & professional development opportunities

Deadline to apply: November 20th, 2026

Recreational Specialist

Assertive Community Treatment Team

Employer: CMHA Kenora Branch
Job Title: Recreational Specialist
Work Location: Assertive Community Treatment Team
Employment Status: Full-Time, Permanent (Existing Position)

Salary: $55,724 - $69,955 per year

For more information, please visit www.cmhak.on.ca

Overview:

This position reports directly to the ACT Team Leader. This member of the Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) multidisciplinary team has a Recreational Therapy Diploma or SSW or BSW degree or diploma and is a fully registered member of the regulating college or body of their profession. He or she has clinical skills and experience to assess, plan, develop, coordinate, and provide treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to program clients with severe and persistent mental illnesses. The Recreation Specialist utilizes recreation to maximize independence to promote an optimal leisure lifestyle for clients of the District Assertive Community Treatment Team. The Recreation Specialist is responsible for the creation of client centered programming to promote recovery, independence and community integration by working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to create opportunities for recreation through co-facilitating groups, outings, and activities. The Recreation Specialist develops recreational programming in both individual and group settings to support clients to attain their recovery goals.

Qualifications:

• Recreation Therapy Diploma or SSW or BSW degree or diploma
• Knowledge of mental health/illness and mental health difficulties
• Knowledge of techniques, methods, safety protocols and supervising of recreational activities
• Knowledge of equipment used in various games, sports, and other recreational activities
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of planning and directing group recreational activities
• Assessment/ Evaluation skills
• Working knowledge of community resources and agencies
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Computer literacy and recording skills
• Cultural Competence for Diverse Populations
• Valid Driver’s License
• Vulnerable Sector Check
• Certification in CPR and First Aid or willingness to obtain same

Duties:

• Adherence to all policies of the CMHA – Kenora Branch
• Assurance of confidentiality of all clients, personnel and organizational records and information
• Maintenance of client files and data files including updating of client information consistent with policies and procedures of the CMHA
• Maintenance of professional qualifications; ongoing education and skills development
• Contributes and participates in the development and growth of Recreation within CMHA Kenora Branch
• Advocates the importance and benefits of Recreation for Recovery
• Encourage participation in recreation programming delivered individually and in group settings
• Seeks, supports, and develops appropriate partnerships with a range of community service providers e.g. Local municipality
• Facilitates connections with community services needed for transition to/or independent participation within the community of the client
• Collects and compiles data necessary for the program deliverables as set out by CMHA Kenora Branch
• Provides recreation support in a variety of community settings
• Demonstrates safe and appropriate procedures for accessing the community (i.e. transportation, appropriate staffing, etc.)
• Delivers programs focusing on client strengths, identified goals and interests
• Incorporates goals identified in Individual Recovery Plans into recreation program delivery
• Applies facilitation techniques and adapts them as required to match the client goals as indicated in Individual Recovery Plans
• Identifies and accesses relevant resources to support client’s independence (community based social and recreation, financial resources, etc.)
• Facilitates recreation and leisure programs that acknowledge individual and cultural diversity
• Appropriately utilizes support networks to enhance program delivery
• Support clients with attending recreation programming provided in the community and District
• Identifies information necessary to be collected during the assessment and referral (e.g. client goals, assessments, Individual Recovery Plans)
• Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary team providing feedback for client assessment and support plans
• Applies assessment findings to the recreation programming
• Work with individuals to create client-centered goals pertaining to recreation, activities of daily living and financial literacy and other identified areas
• Identifies measurable outcomes, which relate to client goals and external diversity considerations (cultural, economic, geographic, etc.)
• Selects appropriate interventions that will facilitate goal attainment
• Utilizes a collaborative model with support networks when establishing the support plan and the inter-professional care plan
• Recreation Program Development
• Implements a client-centered approach to program development emphasizing strength and recovery
• Incorporates program outlines and outcome measures when developing a comprehensive program design based on population group
• Develops and applies appropriate evaluation techniques e.g. OPOC Surveys
• Assesses and accesses program resources as required
• Collaborates with the client and community-based recreation programs to create client centered, recovery-oriented individual and group programming
• Participation in administrative and office functions
• Perform shift management as per established policies and procedures
• Provide crisis intervention, advocacy, education as indicated
• Provide case management for an assigned group of clients and their families. This includes providing side by side individual support to assist clients in obtaining the necessities of daily living.
• Assessment of client needs and mental status and the development of appropriate treatment plans
• Facilitate and monitor the implementation of client treatment plans
• Participate in daily staff meetings and treatment plan meetings
• Plan, structure and provide group and individual leisure time activities on evenings, weekends and holidays
• Participate on specific Committees or task or work groups as assigned by the Supervisor
• Provide a safe environment by ensuring adherences to Workplace Health and Safety Regulations and Policies, Infection Control Guidelines, WHIMIS and Safe Work Procedures; including but not limited to Fire, Disaster and Evacuation Plans
• Ensure client safety and client safety activities are emphasized throughout orientation of new staff members
• Supporting an environment which avoids, prevents and corrects all activities or actions which may result in an adverse outcome in the delivery of mental health services
• Responsible for self-care
• Other duties as directed

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Kenora Branch welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

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