Recreation Coordinator

Abbott House; Village of Irvington (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott House in Irvington, NY seeks a Recreation Coordinator to develop, implement, and evaluate activities for youth in a QRTP setting. The role emphasizes trauma-informed care, empowerment, and cultural responsiveness to support treatment goals.

Collaborate with clinical, educational, and direct care teams to ensure programming aligns with treatment plans, promotes healthy development, and tracks outcomes for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or related field.
• Experience with youth in residential or program settings.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and youth engagement.

Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate structured recreation programs supporting physical, emotional, and social development.
• Incorporate trauma-informed practices to ensure safety and youth choice.
• Collaborate with clinical staff to align activities with treatment plans.
• Assess youth interests to design inclusive programming.
• Maintain safe environment and track participation and progress.
• Coordinate community outings and partnerships with local organizations.
• Train direct care staff in trauma-informed engagement strategies.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Adolescent development

Group activity planning

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Irvington, NY 10533, Salary Range: $55,000.00 - $60,000.00 Salary/year

Job Summary

The Recreation Coordinator develops, implements, and evaluates recreational, educational, and therapeutic activities for youth living in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP). The role emphasizes emotional safety, choice, empowerment, and cultural responsiveness, aligning all programming with trauma informed care principles and QRTP regulatory expectations. The coordinator collaborates closely with clinical, educational, and direct care teams to ensure activities support treatment goals and promote healthy development.

General Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate structured recreation programs (sports, arts, outdoor activities, wellness groups, life skills activities) that support physical, emotional, and social development.
• Integrate trauma informed practices into all activities, ensuring predictability, safety, and youth choice.
• Collaborate with clinical staff to align recreation activities with individual treatment plans and therapeutic goals.
• Assess youth interests and strengths to design inclusive, developmentally appropriate programming.
• Maintain a safe environment, including supervision ratios, equipment checks, and risk management protocols.
• Document participation, progress, and behavioral observations in accordance with QRTP standards.
• Coordinate community outings, volunteer opportunities, and partnerships with local organizations.
• Train and support direct care staff in trauma informed engagement strategies during recreational activities.
• Monitor youth behavior and use de‑escalation techniques consistent with trauma informed and agency policies.
• Track program data, evaluate outcomes, and adjust programming based on youth feedback and treatment needs.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. An employee in this position is regularly required to stand; walk, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and listen, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to keep balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Computer – The Recreation Coordinator must be able to use a computer and able to learn software programs
• Office Equipment - The Recreation Coordinator is required to operate a fax, copier, scan, and other office equipment.
• Communication - The Recreation Coordinator needs to be able to speak, read and write fluently in the English language
• Writing - The Recreation Coordinator must be able to write in the English language using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
• Driving - The Recreation Coordinator must have a valid Driver’s License and a clean driving record.
• Lifting - The Recreation Coordinator may frequently lift 0-25 lbs., occasionally lift 25-50 lbs., and rarely lift over 50 lbs.
• Push/Pull - The Recreation Coordinator may frequently push/pull 0-25 lbs. of force, occasionally push/pull 26-45 lbs. force, and rarely push/pull over 45 lbs.
• Sitting, Standing and Walking – The Recreation Coordinator will be required to sit, stand and walk throughout the work day.
• Stooping -The Recreation Coordinator may occasionally stoop. This is defined as bending body downward by bending spine at the waist.
• Kneeling -The Recreation Coordinator may occasionally kneel. This is defined as bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s).
• Crouching - The Recreation Coordinator may occasionally crouch. This is defined as bending body downward and forward by bending spine and legs.

Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate due to talk and movement of the program participants and other co‑workers. The noise level can increase on occasion due to yelling or screaming by the participants of the programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy, Social Work, Psychology, Education, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Experience working with youth in residential, school, camp, or community settings
• Knowledge of trauma informed care, adolescent development, and positive youth engagement
• Ability to plan and lead structured group activities safely and effectively
• Strong communication, documentation, and teamwork skills

Hours and Time of Work

The Recreation Coordinator is contracted for 35 hours a week.