Recreation Specialist

Project Renewal Inc.; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Shelter- 59th Street Women's Shelter in New York, NY seeks a Recreation Specialist to organize and lead engaging activities for residents in a 200-bed, 24/7 shelter. Responsibilities include coordinating schedules, documenting participation, and collaborating with community partners to offer diverse recreation and therapeutic programs.

Ideal candidates hold a relevant degree, demonstrate strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and can work in a fast-paced, urban shelter environment while

Qualifications

• Leadership and ability to manage staff toward program goals.
• Team building and fostering team spirit.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Strong organizational abilities within deadline-driven environments.
• Solid interpersonal skills for interaction with clients and staff.
• Knowledge of case management software and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Organize, lead, and promote recreational activities and events.
• Meet with clients to assess interests and plan activities.
• Manage daily operations of the recreational schedule.
• Escort clients to activities and relevant events.
• Document client participation in records.
• Collaborate with agency personnel and community partners to plan programs.
• Attend team meetings and communicate client progress.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Skills

Leadership

Team building

Communication

Organizational

Interpersonal

Computer

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, public administration, psychology, education, sociology, occupational or physical therapy, or other related human services fields

Associate's degree in the aforementioned fields with one year of experience

High School Diploma or GED equivalent with two years of experience

Bilingual or multilingual a plus

Job description

Shelter- 59th Street Women's Shelter, 537 W 59th Street, New York, New York, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Title:Recreation Specialist

Salary Range: $42,557-$46,557 annually

Program Overview:

The 59 th Street Women's Shelter is a 200-bed, 24/7 emergency shelter for homeless women diagnosed with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Our comprehensive services include case management, individual and group counseling, recreational activities, occupational therapy, and housing placement assistance. Additionally, a street-facing, on-site Article-28 Clinic provides primary care, and behavioral health care services.

The essential duties of the Recreation Specialist include but are not limited to the following activities:

• Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities such as arts, crafts, sports, games, on-site tournaments and other leisure time activities
• Meet with clients regularly to ascertain and interpret client interests and develop activities to meet their interests
• Manage the daily operations of recreational schedule
• Meet new clients, introduce them to the recreational program and encourage participation
• Complete and maintain time and attendance forms
• Document client participation in recreational activities in client's case records
• Meet and collaborate with agency personnel, community organizations, NYC Parks Department, and other professional personnel to plan balanced recreational programs for participants
• Escort clients to recreational activities and other relevant events
• Encourages clients to attend house meetings/support groups, recreational activities and supports their effort
• Participate with Team and attend meetings as required.
• Communicates with the Social Services team to discuss client concerns or client's progress.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Social Services, Assistant Director and/or Program Director.

Physical Activities

While performing the duties of this position, the Recreation Specialist must be able to navigate the 9-story facility by foot, climbing up and down the stairwells, in order to observe staff and clients. The Recreation Specialist must be able to lift or move material and equipment weighing up to 15 pounds.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in social work, public administration, psychology, education, sociology, occupational or physical therapy, or other related human services fields
• An Associate's degree in the aforementioned fields with one (1) year of experience
• A High School Diploma or GED equivalent with two (2) years of experience
• Bilingual or multilingual a plus

Preferred Skills

• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate staff to accomplish stated program goals and objectives while developing their individual and group skills.
• Team building: Ability to develop and foster, through demonstration, a team spirit, enabling staff to overcome the challenges of providing needed services to a special client population.
• Communication: Excellent oral, writing, and listening skills are a must.
• Organizational: The ability to work well within a highly pressurized, deadline environment, while meeting the short-term and long-term mandates of the program.
• Interpersonal: An ability to interface with clients as well as all levels of staff.
• Computer: Knowledge of case management software as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Shelter- 59th Street Women's Shelter, 537 W 59th Street, New York, New York, United States of America