Adaptive Recreation Lead — Build Inclusive Parks & Programs

The Ability Center; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ability Center in Wisconsin is seeking an Adaptive Recreation Manager to lead the RampUp: Universal Recreation program across Milwaukee County. You will identify, build, and launch accessible recreation sites, applying recreational therapy principles to design safe, engaging programs for all abilities.

The role involves coordinating site builds, partnerships with parks and clinics, training staff, and promoting RampUp with hospitals and disability organizations.

Qualifications

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) required, or actively pursuing certification.
• Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of experience designing or delivering adaptive/inclusive recreation programming.
• Minimum 2 years of work or volunteer experience with a diverse population of adults and children in a nonprofit or clinical setting.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate potential new RampUp sites (parks, beaches, rinks, and other community recreation spaces) for accessibility need and feasibility.
• Build relationships with municipalities, county parks departments, foundations, and site partners to secure new locations.
• Coordinates selection, sourcing, and installation of adaptive equipment at each site.
• Plan, lead, and execute annual RampUp events at each location or partner.
• Implements build in partnership, from concept through launch, on time and on budget.
• Apply recreational therapy expertise to design programming appropriate to the range of abilities and needs at each site, ensuring activities are safe, therapeutic, and genuinely inclusive.
• Train site staff and volunteers on proper equipment use, safety protocols, and adaptive techniques.
• Continuously evaluate and refine programming at existing sites based on user feedback and outcomes.
• Work with Marketing to promote RampUp sites to drive awareness and usage among people of all abilities.
• Build relationships with hospitals, rehab centers, therapy practices, schools, and disability organizations to create referral pipelines into RampUp sites.
• Represent TAC at community events, site launches, and partner functions.
• Serve as a key member of the Program Team, providing expertise and support to the full team across all TAC programs as needed.
• Manage volunteer databases including recruitment, outreach, volunteer training, and stewardship.
• Provide coverage and support for ASAP, Open Gym, and 3v3 Wheelchair Basketball as needed.

Skills

CTRS

Project management

Inclusive programming design

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy

Job description

The Ability Center in Wisconsin is seeking an Adaptive Recreation Manager to lead the RampUp: Universal Recreation program across Milwaukee County. You will identify, build, and launch accessible recreation sites, applying recreational therapy principles to design safe, engaging programs for all abilities.

The role involves coordinating site builds, partnerships with parks and clinics, training staff, and promoting RampUp with hospitals and disability organizations.