Recreationist - Heritage and Spiritual Care

Baycrest; Toronto; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in healthcare is seeking a Recreationist for their Heritage and Spiritual Care Department. This role involves organizing recreational activities, engaging with residents, and collaborating with various teams to enhance the quality of life for seniors. The ideal candidate will have a background in recreation, strong interpersonal skills, and a deep understanding of Jewish culture and traditions. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of our residents.

Benefits

Vacation Entitlement

Extended health and dental benefit plan

Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

24/7 Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• At least 1 year experience in a Recreationist role.
• Knowledge of Jewish culture and traditions.

Responsibilities

• Organizes and leads heritage recreational activities.
• Develops and coordinates opportunities for residents to connect with external partners.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Two Year College Diploma in Recreation

Tools

Microsoft Office

ActivityPro

Job description

Baycrest’s Heritage and Spiritual Care Department

has an opportunity for a

RECREATIONIST

Position Type: Temporary Full time (Approximately 12 months)

Shift Type: Day, some evening and weekend shifts (subject to change)

Hourly Pay Rate: $28.18 - $35.09

Bi-Weekly Hours: 70 hours

Posting Number: 8950

Union: OPSEU 595

Date Posted:May 15, 2025

Internal Closing Date: May 23, 2025

Originally founded in 1918, by the Jewish community of Toronto, Baycrest has an inspiring, more than 100-year, history of exceptional community service and a ceaseless devotion to serving those in need. We live our centuries-old Jewish heritage by honouring our elders with respect and compassion. One important component of both quality of life and well-being for our residents is leisure. It allows individuals opportunities for self-determination and utilization of strengths while engaging in meaningful activities. The Recreationist will be working within the Heritage and Spiritual Care team and collaboratively with Therapeutic Recreation and Culture & Arts teams to develop and execute therapeutic programs.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• Organizes and leads heritage recreational activities for the department including intergenerational programs, museum on wheels, Jewish holidays, celebrations and observances
• Develops and coordinate opportunities for residents to connect with school and synagogue groups and other external partners
• Keeps accurate records of participation and impact, and completes program evaluations for continuous improvement
• Creates meaningful engagement around Shabbat and Jewish holidays, including food, ritual objects, and music traditions
• Facilitates, orient and supervise volunteers for recreational activities
• Contributes to interprofessional team and therapeutic recreation professional development
• Coordinates services with other staff/departments
• Develops and maintains inventory of program supplies

Qualifications (include but are not limited to):

• Completion of a two (2) year College Diploma in Recreation or Activation or equivalent required
• At least 1year experience in a Recreationist role or equivalent required
• Member in good standing with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (‘TRO’) or Activity Professionals of Ontario (‘APO’) preferred
• Experience in planning, implementing and evaluating creative recreation preferred
• Experience in supervision of volunteers preferred
• Experience with a geriatric population with multiple medical conditions and/or cognitive impairment preferred
• Knowledge of Jewish culture, traditions, and holidays, including Shabbat, Yom Tov, and commemorative days such as Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron
• Understanding of Jewish music, storytelling, and culture in the lives of older adults
• Experience with diverse Jewish practice(s) and various cultural identities
• Understanding of the significance of Jewish ritual objects, holiday symbols, and the rhythm of the Jewish calendar
• Knowledge of community resources an asset
• Experience with ActivityPro an asset
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office

Additional Benefits:

• Vacation Entitlement
• Opportunity to enroll in the extended health and dental benefit plan
• Opportunity to enroll in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Program

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: Please submit your application online through the Baycrest intranet. Failure to include your resume may affect your candidacy forthis position. All communication related to this job posting will be sent to the email address used to submit your application.

EXTERNAL APPLICANTS: Please submit your application online by clicking the Apply button below.

Remarkable people of Baycrest Health Sciences
are changing the future of brain health and aging.

Thank you for your interest in joining Baycrest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Baycrest is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). If you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources at [e-mail] or 416-785-2500, ext. 2961.

All successful candidates will be required to complete a police reference check/vulnerable sector screen.