Activity & Leisure Specialist

Experience Champaign Urbana; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Referral program

Relocation assistance

Vision insurance

BenElevate PSLF resource

Job summary

Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana, IL is seeking an Activity & Leisure Specialist to join our Special Therapies team. You will plan and lead sports, recreation, and leisure activities that support clients’ social, emotional, and physical well-being.

Working with the team, you’ll assess needs, design engaging programs, and help youth build skills, confidence, and healthy coping tools through recreation and community activities. Core schedule Mon–Thu 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field and at least 3 years of experience working with children or in mental health settings.
• Applicants with a high school diploma or GED must have at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Must be CPR and First Aid certified (or able to complete certification during introductory period).
• Willingness to complete American Red Cross lifeguard training for summer programming.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and a driving record meeting agency standards.
• Must successfully complete background checks, physical, TB screening, and required trainings.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate recreation, art, music, and leisure programs based on individual client goals.
• Coordinate schedules for therapeutic services, sports, and off-campus activities.
• Facilitate and supervise youth in team sports, group activities, and community outings.
• Maintain recreation facilities, equipment, and sensory supplies.
• Provide documentation and reports on client participation and progress.
• Support and collaborate with staff, volunteers, and partner agencies for special events and ongoing programming.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field

High school diploma or GED with 5 years of relevant experience

Tools

CPR Certification

First Aid Certification

American Red Cross lifeguard training

Job description

Activity & Leisure Specialist

Location: Urbana, IL
Organization: Cunningham Children’s Home

Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana, IL — a residential treatment program serving youth with emotional and behavioral disabilities — is seeking a dedicated Activity & Leisure Specialist to join our Special Therapies team.

In this role, you’ll help plan and lead goal-oriented sports, recreation, and leisure activities that support our clients’ social, emotional, and physical well-being. Working closely with the Special Therapies team, you’ll assess needs, design engaging programs, and help youth build skills, confidence, and healthy coping tools through recreation and community activities.

At Cunningham, our work is guided by our values of spirituality, teamwork, integrity, and respect. We offer outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities, and the rewarding experience of making a lasting impact on young lives.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate recreation, art, music, and leisure programs based on individual client goals.
• Coordinate schedules for therapeutic services, sports, and off-campus activities.
• Facilitate and supervise youth in team sports, group activities, and community outings.
• Maintain recreation facilities, equipment, and sensory supplies.
• Provide documentation and reports on client participation and progress.
• Support and collaborate with staff, volunteers, and partner agencies for special events and ongoing programming.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and at least 3 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and/or in mental health settings preferred.
  • Applicants with a high school diploma or GED must have at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Certifications:
  • Must be CPR and First Aid certified (or able to complete certification during introductory period).
  • Willingness to complete American Red Cross lifeguard training for summer programming.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Must be at least 21 years old.
  • Valid Illinois driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and a driving record meeting agency standards.
  • Must successfully complete background checks, physical, TB screening, and required trainings.

Schedule

• Core schedule: Monday–Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (40 hours/week).
• Flexibility required for occasional evening or weekend events.

Benefits

• 401(k)

• 401(k) matching

• Dental insurance

• Employee assistance program

• Flexible spending account

• Health insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Referral program

• Relocation assistance

• Vision insurance

• We also offer our employees a professional PSLF resource, BenElevate, to help navigate the loan forgiveness process.

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Join Our Team

Cunningham Children’s Home is a place where you can make a difference every day while working alongside a compassionate, mission-driven team. If you’re passionate about helping youth thrive through recreation, creativity, and connection, we’d love to hear from you.