Recreation Specialist

HELP USA; New York (NY); On-site; USD 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (Cigna) incl. dental/

Generous PTO

401(k) with company contribution

And More

Job summary

HELP USA is seeking a Recreation Aide to work with adults living in one of our temporary housing facilities. You will develop and implement a recreational program tailored to all age groups, fostering socialization and well‑being.

You’ll ensure services for residents with special needs, encourage full participation, and engage in community outreach for resources and donations. A budget for recreation will also be developed and managed.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent experience and skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Computer literacy, particularly with Microsoft Office applications.
• Creative, responsible, patient, kind, and caring.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a recreational program that is appropriate and meets the needs of all age groups and fosters positive socialization and empowerment as well as the physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being of all program participants.
• Ensure that appropriate recreational services are available for residents with special needs, whether within existing curriculum or through service linkages
• Encourage full participation of all residents to enhance socialization in the shelter environment and to ensure maximum utilization of recreational services.
• Engage in aggressive community outreach to secure service linkages, in-kind donations, and other community resources for our residents and our program.
• Developing a resource guide of free and inexpensive recreational resources in the area.
• Maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all participants in recreational activities.
• Developing a budget for the recreation department including basic minimal operational needs, new needs, and wish lists.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Computer literacy

Creativity

Patience

Empathy

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Posted Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Program: Creston | 2524 Creston Ave, Bronx, NY 10468

What You’ll Do

HELP USA is seeking a Recreation Aide to work with adults living in one of our temporary housing facilities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and implementing a recreational program that is appropriate and meets the needs of all age groups and that will foster positive socialization and empowerment as well as the physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being of all program participants.
• Ensuring that appropriate recreational services are available for residents with special needs, whether within existing curriculum or through service linkages
• Encouraging full participation of all residents to enhance socialization in the shelter environment and to ensure maximum utilization of recreational services.
• Engaging in aggressive community outreach to secure service linkages, in-kind donations, and other community resources for our residents and our program.
• Developing a resource guide of free and inexpensive recreational resources in the area.
• Maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all participants in recreational activities.
• Developing a budget for the recreation department including basic minimal operational needs, new needs, and wish lists.

You’re a great fit for this role if you have:

• Associate’s degree or equivalent experience and skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Computer literacy, particularly with Microsoft Office applications.
• Must be creative, responsible, patient, kind, and caring.

Compensation

Actual compensation will not be less than the applicable minimum wage, prevailing wage, or exempt salary requirements under federal, state and local laws.

We Have GREAT BENEFITS!

• Health insurance through Cigna, including dental and vision, with an option that covers the entire family with minimal employee contribution.
• Generous Paid Time Off!
• 401(k) with Company contribution, even if the employee doesn't contribute.
• And More !

Who We Are

At HELP USA, we work to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We’re one of the nation’s largest non-profit homeless services providers and low-income housing developers serving at-risk populations, including families, individuals, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, people with physical and mental health challenges and disabilities, and seniors. With an annual operating budget approaching $150 million and 1400 employees working in nearly 60 programs, we have helped over 500,000 people facing homelessness and poverty to build better lives. We hope that you will consider joining our team in the fight against homelessness.