Recreation Assistant

Can Play; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Can Play is seeking a caring Recreation Assistant to help plan and lead recreational programs where participants can build skills, confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging. This role supports adapted recreation for children, teens, and adults with disabilities or chronic health conditions, along with no-cost youth programs for children facing barriers to participation.

You will collaborate with staff, volunteers, families, and community partners to create welcoming, engaging experiences

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, teens, or adults in recreation, coaching, education, childcare, mentoring, disability services, or a related setting.
• A patient, encouraging approach and an ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and with different support needs.
• Strong teamwork, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow a practice plan while adapting to the needs of the group.
• Dependability, punctuality, and reliable transportation to assigned program locations.
• Willingness to learn Can Play’s approach to adapted recreation and positive participant support.
• Ability to complete required background screening and program training.
• Experience supporting individuals with disabilities or youth facing barriers is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning and leading sports, games, fitness, and recreational activities for a variety of ages and abilities.
• Develop practice plans with staff that include clear goals, skill-building activities, adaptations, and opportunities for everyone to participate.
• Adjust activities, equipment, instructions, and pacing to meet participants’ individual needs.
• Build positive relationships with participants, offering consistent mentoring, encouragement, and support.
• Help children develop teamwork, communication, confidence, and positive ways to manage frustration and challenges.
• Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, schools, recreation agencies, and other community partners.
• Help volunteers understand activities, participant needs, and ways to provide effective support.
• Prepare equipment and program spaces, assist with setup and cleanup, and care for supplies.
• Support participant check-in, attendance tracking, and communication with families and caregivers.
• Follow safety procedures, maintain participant confidentiality, and promptly communicate concerns or incidents.
• Share observations and ideas with staff to improve activities and participant experiences.

Job description

Can Play is seeking a caring, dependable, and energetic Recreation Assistant to help plan and lead recreational programs where participants can build skills, confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging.

This position supports adapted recreation for children, teens, and adults with disabilities or chronic health conditions, along with no-cost youth programs for children facing financial and other barriers to participation. The Recreation Assistant works closely with staff, volunteers, families, and community partners to create welcoming, engaging experiences and provide strong mentoring and encouragement.

Key Responsibilities

Can Play is seeking a caring, dependable, and energetic Recreation Assistant to help plan and lead recreational programs where participants can build skills, confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging.

This position supports adapted recreation for children, teens, and adults with disabilities or chronic health conditions, along with no-cost youth programs for children facing financial and other barriers to participation. The Recreation Assistant works closely with staff, volunteers, families, and community partners to create welcoming, engaging experiences and provide strong mentoring and encouragement.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with planning and leading sports, games, fitness, and recreational activities for a variety of ages and abilities.
• Develop practice plans with staff that include clear goals, skill-building activities, adaptations, and opportunities for everyone to participate.
• Adjust activities, equipment, instructions, and pacing to meet participants’ individual needs.
• Build positive relationships with participants, offering consistent mentoring, encouragement, and support.
• Help children develop teamwork, communication, confidence, and positive ways to manage frustration and challenges.
• Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, schools, recreation agencies, and other community partners.
• Help volunteers understand activities, participant needs, and ways to provide effective support.
• Prepare equipment and program spaces, assist with setup and cleanup, and care for supplies.
• Support participant check-in, attendance tracking, and communication with families and caregivers.
• Follow safety procedures, maintain participant confidentiality, and promptly communicate concerns or incidents.
• Share observations and ideas with staff to improve activities and participant experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, teens, or adults in recreation, coaching, education, childcare, mentoring, disability services, or a related setting.
• A patient, encouraging approach and an ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and with different support needs.
• Strong teamwork, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow a practice plan while adapting to the needs of the group.
• Dependability, punctuality, and reliable transportation to assigned program locations.
• Willingness to learn Can Play’s approach to adapted recreation and positive participant support.
• Ability to complete required background screening and program training.
• Experience supporting individuals with disabilities or youth facing barriers is preferred.

Physical and Program Requirements

This is an active position involving demonstrating activities, moving throughout program spaces, and setting up recreational equipment. Essential duties may be performed with reasonable accommodations.

Our Ideal Team Member

You believe everyone deserves a chance to play. You bring energy and patience, notice when someone needs extra encouragement, and understand that success can look different for every participant. You enjoy working with others and helping people feel welcome, capable, and connected.