Recreational Enrichment Aide

Riverside Health and Rehabilitation Center; Trenton (NJ); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Health and Rehabilitation Center seeks a Game Room & Recreation Specialist to oversee the facility's game room and foster a lively, inclusive recreational environment for residents. You will engage residents directly, organize games and events, develop programming around resident interests, and collaborate with the Activities Department to promote socialization and meaningful engagement.

The role emphasizes hands-on interaction and supervision during activities, ensuring a positive

Qualifications

• Energetic, outgoing and comfortable engaging residents individually and in groups.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Creative and able to develop new activities, competitions, and events.
• Able to motivate and encourage resident participation.
• Organized and capable of managing recreational programs and events.
• Patient and comfortable working with elderly residents.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the facility's game room.
• Maintain an active presence in the game room and engage directly with residents.
• Welcome residents into the game room and encourage participation.
• Organize and facilitate games and activities (pool, cards, dominoes, chess, etc.).
• Plan and conduct special recreational events and leagues.
• Develop new recreational ideas based on resident interests.
• Monitor the game room to promote a safe, respectful environment.
• Promote upcoming leagues, tournaments, and events to residents.
• Track participation and adjust programming accordingly.
• Collaborate with facility leadership and the Activities Department.

Skills

Energetic

Interpersonal skills

Creative

Motivates participation

Organized programs

Patient

Experience in recreation

Game knowledge

Job description

Game Room & Recreation Specialist

Position Summary

The Game Room & Recreation Specialist is responsible for overseeing the facility’s game room and creating an active, welcoming, and enjoyable recreational environment for residents.

This is a hands-on position focused on resident engagement, game room supervision, and recreational programming. The Game Room & Recreation Specialist will spend significant time interacting directly with residents, encouraging participation, organizing games and events, and developing programming centered around the game room and resident interests.

The goal of the position is to make the game room a vibrant gathering place where residents can socialize, compete, have fun, and participate in meaningful recreational activities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the facility's game room.

• Maintain an active presence in the game room and engage directly with residents.

• Welcome residents into the game room and encourage participation, including residents who may be less socially engaged.

• Develop relationships with residents and learn their recreational interests and preferences.

• Organize and facilitate games such as pool, cards, dominoes, chess, checkers, board games, video games, and other recreational activities.

• Organize resident leagues, tournaments, competitions, and ongoing game-room programs.

• Plan and conduct special recreational events such as:

  • Pool and game tournaments

  • Card and domino leagues

  • Dance parties

  • Music and entertainment events

  • Resident competitions and challenges

  • Holiday and themed game-room events

• Develop new recreational ideas based on resident interests and participation.

• Encourage residents to socialize and develop relationships with one another through recreational programming.

• Assist residents with learning games or using game-room equipment when necessary.

• Monitor the game room to promote a safe, respectful, and positive environment.

• Ensure games, equipment, furniture, televisions, gaming systems, and other recreational items are kept organized and in appropriate condition.

• Identify damaged or missing equipment and report concerns to the appropriate department.

• Help establish reasonable rules and expectations for use of the game room and its equipment.

• Maintain appropriate supervision during organized events and periods of high game-room usage.

• Promote upcoming leagues, tournaments, parties, and other recreational events to residents.

• Track resident interest and participation and adjust programming based on what residents enjoy most.

• Work collaboratively with facility leadership and the Activities Department while maintaining primary responsibility for game-room-focused recreational programming.

• Support the overall goal of improving resident quality of life, socialization, engagement, and enjoyment.

Qualifications

• Energetic, outgoing, and comfortable engaging with residents individually and in groups.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Creative and able to develop new activities, competitions, and events.

• Able to motivate and encourage resident participation.

• Organized and capable of independently managing recreational programs and events.

• Patient and comfortable working with elderly residents and individuals with varying physical or cognitive abilities.

• Experience in recreation, activities, hospitality, senior living, skilled nursing, entertainment, or a related setting is preferred.

• Knowledge of common games, sports, cards, pool, dominoes, or similar recreational activities is a plus.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is someone who naturally brings energy into a room and enjoys getting people involved. This individual should be comfortable sitting down and playing a game with residents, organizing a competitive tournament, putting together a dance party, or simply spending time talking with residents and finding out what they would enjoy doing.

Success in this position will be measured by creating a game room that residents want to visit and by consistently developing recreational opportunities that increase resident participation, socialization, and enjoyment