Recreation Therapist

Child & Family Services; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 51,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & Holidays

Life Insurance

Medical insurance options

Dental insurance options

Vision insurance options

Wellness Program

Job summary

Child and Family Services in Buffalo, NY seeks a Recreation Therapist to deliver structured, trauma-informed recreational interventions within a residential treatment setting for children who have faced trauma. The role focuses on emotional regulation, social skills, and growth through play.

You will design safe, healing activities, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and help families access community connections to support ongoing recovery and development.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or NYSED-approved program.
• Certification/registration as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist may apply.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead trauma-informed recreational and therapeutic activities that support emotional regulation, skill-building, and joy.
• Build environments where children feel safe, seen, and valued.
• Assess each child's social and interpersonal skills and emotional strengths.
• Develop personalized recreation-based treatment goals that foster communication, problem-solving, healthy relationships.
• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team to ensure each child's needs are met holistically.
• Participate in treatment team meetings and service planning.
• Help families access community activities that support connection beyond residential care.
• Plan and facilitate engaging activities like art, movement, outdoor play, games.
• Partner with community providers to bring in diverse experiences.
• Apply Trauma-Informed Care and De-escalation strategies in daily interactions.

Skills

Trauma-informed approach

Communication skills

Teamwork

Creativity & adaptability

Independent & collaborative

Education

Master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation

Certified/Registered Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Job description

Do you believe in the role of therapeutic play as a meaningful pathway for growth and emotional development?

As a Recreation Therapist, you will use structured, clinically informed recreational interventions to support children in a residential treatment setting. Many of whom have experienced trauma and significant life challenges. Through intentional, therapeutic activities, you will help children build emotional regulation skills, strengthen interpersonal connections, and practice safe, healthy ways of expressing themselves.

Your work will be an integral part of each child's treatment journey, using play and recreation not just for enjoyment, but as tools for growth, skill development, and improved functioning.

This is more than a job. It's an opportunity to provide care that is purposeful, relationship-based, and grounded in trauma-informed therapeutic practice.

What You’ll Do

Create Safe & Healing Spaces

• Design and lead trauma-informed recreational and therapeutic activities that support emotional regulation, skill-building, and joy
• Build environments where children feel safe, seen, and valued

Individualized Care & Growth

• Assess each child's:
• Social and interpersonal skills
• Physical and emotional strengths
• Develop personalized recreation-based treatment goals that foster:
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Healthy relationships
• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team to ensure each child's needs are met holistically
• Participate in treatment team meetings and service planningli>
• Help families access community activities that support connection beyond residential care

Lead with Creativity

• Plan and facilitate engaging activities like art, movement, outdoor play, games, and more
• Partner with community providers to bring in diverse and enriching experiences

Model Trauma-Informed Practice

• Use Trauma-Informed Care and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) approaches in daily interactions
• Approach behaviors with curiosity, empathy, and de-escalation strategies
• Support a culture grounded in respect, healing, and resilience

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation (or related program approved by NYSED),
  OR certification/registration as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
• At least 1 year of experience supporting children with emotional or behavioral challenges
  (residential experience is a plus!)

Skills & Strengths

• A passion for working with children and families through a trauma-informed lens
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Creativity, flexibility, and the ability to think "outside the box"
• Comfort managing challenging behaviors with calm, compassionate de-escalation skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Additional Requirements

• Ability to participate in physical activities (walking, lifting up to 25 lbs, etc.)
• Valid NYS driver's license and auto insurance

Competitive Pay Rate of

$28.59 per hour

C+FS offers full-time employees the below benefits to support our employees and their families and help to create a healthy work environment

• Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays and bereavement time
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Medical insurance options
• Dental insurance options
• Vision insurance options
• Wellness Program and Incentives
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dependent Care FSA
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 403(b) Right Away and Employer-Contributions (1000 hours each year)

Child and Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Child and Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Child and Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.