Certified Activity Director

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

FSA/HSA

Indemnity Plans

401k Matching

Company paid life insurance

Company paid STD & LTD

Wellness program incentives

Employee referral bonus

EAP

Teladoc and more

Job summary

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (CCANO) seeks a Certified Activity Director to lead activity programming for the PACE Greater New Orleans program. You will guide daily and monthly calendars, engaging activities, and collaborative care planning with the interdisciplinary team to promote participation and well-being.

Responsibilities include staff leadership, ensuring safety, and adapting activities for dementia and mobility needs while documenting progress and outcomes within

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and ADC certification or equivalent activity director credential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain daily and monthly activity calendars with diverse programs.
• Assess participant interests, routines, and abilities to tailor activities.
• Coordinate with IDT on care planning and measurable activity goals.
• Adapt activities for dementia and mobility needs; coordinate with nursing and therapy staff.
• Document assessments, progress, and safety concerns in approved records.
• Coordinate community outings, transportation, and special events.

Skills

Strong communication

Organization

Leadership

Problem solving

Aging knowledge

Dementia understanding

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

ADC credential (NCCAP) or equivalent Activity Director certification

Associate or bachelor's degree in recreation/gerontology/human services

Tools

CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

Who We Are:

We help our neighbors meet immediate needs and face long-term challenges. We steward our resources with transparency and efficiency. Together, we create a community where everyone is able to live with dignity and hope. Impelled by the love and teaching of Jesus Christ, while respecting the dignity and potential of all people, we collaborate to offer life-giving programs, advocate for the voiceless and empower the vulnerable to foster a just society.

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (CCANO) has been an open door, a warm welcome, dry ground, a defending voice, and a hand up for generations of Louisiana residents. Our shared stories and strong roots help a diverse community stand tall together. Meeting the needs of the whole person is our continued commitment.

What You'll Do:

As PACE Greater New Orleans continues to grow, the Certified Activity Director develops, implements, and oversees activity programming that meets the diverse needs of our participant population. This position promotes social engagement, cognitive stimulation, emotional well being, and functional abilities while collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to ensure activities reflect each participant's interests, preferences, abilities, and individualized care plan goals. The Certified Activity Director provides leadership for assigned activity staff and maintains a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment that respects participant choice, dignity, and independence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain daily and monthly activity calendars with a variety of group, individual, and adapted programs, including music, arts, movement, games, sensory activities, cultural celebrations, and community outings.
• Complete activity assessments and reassessments within required timeframes. Identify participant interests, prior routines, strengths, cognitive and physical abilities, communication needs, and barriers to engagement.
• Serve as the activity coordinator representative on the IDT when assigned. Participate in care planning and develop measurable activity goals and interventions with the participant and team.
• Implement and revise activity interventions based on participant response, changing needs, and IDT recommendations. Provide meaningful alternatives for participants who decline group activities or need individual engagement.
• Adapt activities for participants with dementia, sensory impairments, limited mobility, or other disabilities. Coordinate with nursing, therapy, social work, and dietary staff regarding precautions and accommodations.
• Document assessments, interventions, attendance, participant response, and progress toward goals accurately and promptly in approved records. Report changes in condition, behavior, participation, or safety concerns to the appropriate team member.
• Coordinate community outings, entertainers, special events, and volunteer involvement. Arrange approved transportation, staffing, accessibility, and safety measures before outings.
• Provide daily direction, scheduling, orientation, and coaching for assigned activity staff and volunteers. Participate in performance evaluations and personnel decisions within delegated authority.
• Manage approved activity supplies and expenditures, maintain equipment and inventory, and keep activity spaces organized and accessible.
• Follow infection prevention procedures, emergency plans, confidentiality requirements, and participant rights policies. Promptly report incidents and suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation through established channels.
• Participate in quality improvement, audits, required training, competency validation, and program evaluation. Perform other related duties within training and assigned responsibilities.

Perks!

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• FSA, HSA
• Indemnity Plans
• 401k Matching
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid STD & LTD
• Wellness Program Incentives
• Employee Referral Bonus
• EAP
• Teladoc and sooo much more!

What You'll Bring:

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent. Current Activity Director Certified (ADC) credential through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP), or another activity director certification accepted by PACE GNO.
• At least one year of experience working with a frail or elderly population. An applicant with less than one year may be considered if otherwise qualified and provided appropriate PACE training upon hiring, consistent with applicable requirements and agency policy.
• Demonstrated ability to assess activity needs, plan adapted programs, document services, and work effectively with older adults, including people living with dementia.
• Ability to meet required position competencies before working independently and complete ongoing orientation, training, and certification renewal requirements.
• Satisfactory completion of required background checks, screenings, and medical clearance for communicable diseases before direct participant contact, in accordance with agency policy and applicable requirements.
• CPR and first aid certification as required by agency policy. A valid driver's license and authorization to drive for the agency are required if driving is assigned as an essential duty.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree in recreation, gerontology, human services, or a related field.
• Experience in PACE, adult day health, long term care, or another setting serving older adults.
• Experience supervising activity staff or volunteers, coordinating community resources, and managing activity budgets.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of aging, dementia, participant engagement, adapted activities, and safe group facilitation.
• Strong communication, organization, leadership, and problem solving skills; ability to respond calmly to changing needs.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality, respect diverse backgrounds, and collaborate with participants, caregivers, and staff.
• Ability to use electronic documentation systems, email, calendars, and standard office software.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Work occurs primarily in the PACE day center and may include community outings and travel between program locations. Duties require periods of standing, walking, sitting, reaching, bending, and handling activity materials. Participant assistance must follow training, care plans, and safe handling procedures. Exposure to communicable illness and behavioral challenges may occur. Essential functions may be performed with reasonable accommodation; specific lifting and mobility requirements should be confirmed for the assigned position.

The Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans is an Equal Opportunity Employer At the CCANO , we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran service, genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The CCANO expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on any of the characteristics listed here. Improper interference with the ability of CCANO employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. The CCANO complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which CCANO has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and train.