Recreational Therapist

My County Parks; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

My County Parks in Des Moines area is seeking a qualified supervisor to oversee the Easter Lake North Shore Recreation Area and supervise semi-skilled, part-time staff and volunteers while delivering outdoor-based recreational therapy.

The role involves developing programming, safety training, and partnerships with agencies serving Veterans and people with disabilities, plus documenting progress for insurance and reporting.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy or Bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy required.
• Experience with clinical healthcare settings or therapeutic programming.
• Ability to supervise staff and volunteers and ensure safety and accessibility.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day activities of Easter Lake North Shore Recreation Area.
• Supervise part-time staff and volunteers; handle scheduling and discipline.
• Develop and implement outdoor-based recreational therapy plans.
• Develop SOPs, safety training, and grant writing or fundraising.
• Communicate progress with insurance and healthcare professionals; document outcomes.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.

Skills

Conservation program knowledge

Universal design & accessibility

Oral and written communication

Ethics & advocacy in OT

Collaboration with partner agencies

Education

Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy

Bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy

Bachelor’s in related field + experience

Job description

Under general supervision of the Leisure Services Manager, supervises the day to day activities of Easter Lake North Shore Recreation Area and supervises semi-skilled, part-time staff, and volunteers. Provides professional, clinically trained, outdoor-based recreational therapy for individuals with short-term or long-term disabilities.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Effectively recommends personnel actions related to selection, performance review, scheduling and discipline; administers personnel and related policies and procedures for part-time, seasonal, and on-call staff.
• Develops standard operating procedures for staff and volunteers.Develops safety training protocols and delivers training to staff and volunteers.
• Develops, plans, schedules, coordinates, and conducts programming, outreach, and special events.
• Fosters community partnerships with agencies that serves Veterans and persons with disabilities.
• Develops short-term and long-term therapy plans for individuals/users and evaluates and documents progress toward their achievement.
• Effectively communicates patient/participant status and perceived outcomes in order to ensure positive therapeutic outcomes and insurance coverage (ie direct communication with insurance companies and medial professionals and drafting letters of medical necessity)
• Maintains records and prepares reports related to north shore operations.
• Conducts presentations and outreach to various audiences.
• Researches and writes grant applications and/or raises funds for north shore operations, equipment, and programming.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the Conservation department's operation programs, functions, and objectives.
• Knowledge of state, federal, and local laws and regulations about park and public recreation operations, construction and zoning, and concession and food preparation.
• Knowledge of proper safety procedures and occupational hazards associated with maintaining and repairing facilities and grounds and operating public recreation facilities and other community programs.
• Knowledge of the current principles and practices of effective supervision.
• Knowledge of universal design principles and adaptive outdoor recreation.Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, socio-emotional health, and professional ethics/advocacy associated with occupational therapy.
• Ability to work with partner agencies on safe programming and events and effectively create adaptions and solutions to ensure high level of accessibility and inclusivity.
• Ability to ensure safe and effective delivery of various program elements such as skilled transfers from wheelchairs to outdoor recreation equipment.
• Ability to plan, direct, schedule, and evaluate the work of part-time and seasonal staff.
• Ability to understand and provide oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Training and Experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Occupational Therapy, or
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Recreational Therapy, or
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related degree with experience
• Three years in a clinical healthcare field, or
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Qualifications

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Occupational Therapy, orBachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Recreational Therapy, orBachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related deg