Per Diem Recreation Assistant

RWJBarnabas Health; Mountainside (NJ); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health’s Children’s Specialized Hospital is seeking a Recreation Assistant to support adapted recreation programs for children and youth with special needs across community settings. You will assist therapists and instructors, help set up activities, and coordinate with families, volunteers, and partners.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma, a valid driver’s license, and BLS certification.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED required. If not, obtain within six months of hire.
• Certification: Current American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Provider certification required.
• Experience: Previous work with children; experience with children with special needs preferred.
• License: Valid driver’s license required.
• Language: Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Recreational Therapist, Child Life Specialist, or instructor in planning, coordinating, and implementing adapted programs.
• Prepare and set up recreation activities, including equipment, schedules, and supplies.
• Support and facilitate activities across aquatics, camps, evening recreation, and community programs.
• Adapt activities to accommodate varied disabilities and developmental levels.
• Maintain communication with participants, families, volunteers, and staff.

Skills

Childhood development knowledge

Disability awareness

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Title: Recreation Assistant

Location: Mountainside (MTN)

Department Name: Camps

Req #: 0000264924

Status: Hourly

Shift: Evening

Pay Range: $19.87 - $19.87 per hour

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

Recreation Assistant – Children's Specialized Hospital, RWJBarnabas Health

At Children's Specialized Hospital, part of RWJBarnabas Health, Recreation Assistants play an important role in creating meaningful, inclusive, and accessible recreational experiences for children and youth with special needs throughout the community. As a member of our Community Programs team, you will work under the supervision of a Recreational Therapist, Child Life Specialist, or certified program instructor to support the coordination and implementation of adapted recreation programs designed to promote participation, social connection, skill development, confidence, and enjoyment. Programs may include aquatics, martial arts, camps, evening recreation, social activities, and other community-based recreation opportunities. You will work closely with children, families, volunteers, students, community organizations, and interdisciplinary team members to help ensure programs are thoughtfully planned and adapted to meet a variety of abilities and needs. Joining Children's Specialized Hospital means becoming part of an organization committed to clinical excellence, collaboration, innovation, and professional growth while making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families throughout New Jersey.

A typical day for a Recreation Assistant may include:

• Supporting the Recreational Therapist, Child Life Specialist, or certified program instructor in planning, coordinating, and implementing adapted recreation programs for children and youth with special needs in community-based settings.
• Assisting with the preparation and setup of recreation programs and activities, including organizing equipment, supplies, schedules, and other logistical needs.
• Supporting and facilitating adapted recreation activities, which may include aquatics, martial arts, camps, evening recreation, social activities, and other community-based programs.
• Helping adapt activities, equipment, instructional approaches, and environments to accommodate children with a variety of disabilities, abilities, developmental levels, and functional needs.
• Applying knowledge of childhood development and physical and developmental disabilities to support participants and promote safe, successful participation in recreation activities.
• Recognizing and responding effectively to challenging behaviors while maintaining a positive, supportive, and inclusive environment.
• Assisting with assessing participants' overall level of functioning and identifying appropriate activities and adaptations under the guidance of a Recreational Therapist, Child Life Specialist, or certified program instructor.
• Maintaining ongoing communication with participants, families, volunteers, students, therapists, nursing staff, and other team members through email, telephone, and other communication platforms.
• Assisting with program coordination and administrative responsibilities, including phone calls, data entry, registration-related tasks, recordkeeping, and other office duties.
• Monitoring and maintaining inventory of general supplies and equipment, including ordering and replenishing supplies accurately and in a timely manner.
• Cleaning departmental equipment and organizing supplies and program areas, while taking initiative to maintain cleanliness and organization throughout the department.
• Assisting department staff with the planning and implementation of recreation programs, special events, and other community activities.
• Orienting, providing direction to, and supervising volunteers and community groups in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.

This role might be for you if:

• You are passionate about helping children with special needs participate in meaningful recreational, social, and community activities.
• You enjoy working directly with children and families and creating fun, engaging, and inclusive experiences.
• You enjoy adapting recreational activities and environments so children with a variety of abilities can participate successfully.
• You have an understanding of childhood development and physical and developmental disabilities and enjoy applying that knowledge in a hands-on setting.
• You are patient, enthusiastic, tactful, and able to respond effectively to challenging behaviors.
• You enjoy working in community-based environments and collaborating with families, professionals, volunteers, students, instructors, and community partners.
• You are organized and comfortable balancing hands-on program responsibilities with administrative tasks such as phone calls, data entry, inventory, and recordkeeping.
• You demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, strong time management skills, and a willingness to explore new opportunities that support effective processes and departmental growth.

To Be Considered:

To be considered for this opportunity, you must meet the following criteria:

• Education:High school diploma or GED required. Candidates who do not have a high school diploma or GED at the time of hire must obtain one within six months of being hired.
• Certification:Current American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Provider certification required.
• Experience:Previous work experience with children required; experience working with children with special needs or disabilities preferred.
• License:Valid driver's license required.
• Skills:Knowledge of childhood development and physical and developmental disabilities; ability to plan activities and adapt environments to accommodate a variety of disabling conditions; ability to manage challenging behaviors effectively; strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and time management skills; and ability to work effectively with children, families, team members, volunteers, and community participants.
• Language:Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• Physical Requirements:Ability to lift, pull, and push participants and equipment; provide therapeutic handling of participants; and perform light office duties.
• Work Environment:Ability to work in therapy areas, community locations, nursing units, playgrounds, pools, and other recreation program settings.
• Schedule:Ability to work a per diem schedule including weekday evenings from 4:00pm – 8:00pm, and Saturdays 8:00am – 12:00pm.