Recreational Therapist

NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities is seeking a Recreation Therapist to develop, plan, and manage recreational services for assigned homes in Staten Island and surrounding areas. You will lead person-centered activities, coordinate community inclusion, and maintain an up-to-date monthly calendar of events.

This role requires collaboration with the treatment team and house recreation liaisons, in-home groups, and PM/community activities, plus assistance with the monthly

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field is required.
• Experience in planning and administering therapeutic recreation programs involving diverse populations.
• Current CTRS credential issued by NCTRC is required.
• Current NYS licensure as Creative Arts Therapist is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist homes in Staten Island to set up their in-home recreation calendars.
• Provide in-home groups/activities for those who do not attend day program.
• Provide in-home groups and community inclusion activities (PM hours).
• Assist Senior Recreation Therapist in larger community inclusive activities.
• Assist in completing the monthly calendar, uploading documentation to EHR, weekly data checks, planning vacations and community event packet.
• Assist in Olympics trainings, events, and tournaments (e.g. Bowling, Track & Field, Hiking).

Education

Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation

Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Physical Education or Adaptive Physical Education AND 1 year of experience in planning and administering a therapeutic recreation program

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential

New York State licensure as Creative Arts Therapist

Job description

Duties Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The person selected for the Recreation Therapist position will be developing, planning, and managing recreational services. Duties include leading person-centered activities, coordinating community inclusion opportunities, participating in community inclusion activities, organizing recreation resources and monthly calendar of events for assigned homes. The Recreation Therapist will have continuous communication with treatment team and maintain regular contact with house recreation liaisons.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES not limited to:

• Assist homes in Staten Island to set up their in-home recreation calendars.
• Provide in-home groups/activities for those who do not attend day program (Daytime duties).
• Provide in-home groups and community inclusion activities (PM hours).
• Assist Senior Recreation Therapist in larger community inclusive activities.
• Assist in completing the monthly calendar, uploading documentation to EHR, weekly data checks, planning vacations and community event packet. Serve as advisor for Self-Advocacy Group
• Assist in Olympics trainings, events, and tournaments (i.e. Bowling, Track & Field, Hiking, etc.).

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nys-office-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities/posts/?feedView=all

Minimum Qualifications

• a bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation;
• a bachelor's degree in Recreation, Physical Education or Adaptive Physical Education AND one year of experience in planning and administering a therapeutic recreation program which involved developing and coordinating therapeutic recreational activities for geriatric patients/residents, individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with psychiatric disabilities, individuals that are physically challenged, or individuals in treatment for chemical dependency;
• current credentials as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), 7 Elmwood Drive, New City, NY 10956. For further information you may contact them at [phone] or at www.NCTRC.org
• current licensure by NYS as a Creative Arts Therapist. For information about licensure, visit www.op.nysed.gov or call [phone].

Transfer

Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c status in the posted title and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1, 70.4, or 52.6 of Civil Service Law. The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades. To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website: https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/index.cfm.

Additional Comments

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status.

• If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.
• Please note that starting salary for this title reflects the Downstate adjustment. Posted Hiring Salary includes the sum of the statutory hiring rate for PS&T Grade 14 ($56,183) and Downstate Adjustment ($4,150). Downstate Adjustment is also added to the job rate ($71,719).
• The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.
• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.
• If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice.
• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA).
• If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at [phone] or email [e-mail] to obtain information and RA forms.
• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
• Paid Holidays and Leave:
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
• Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
• Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.
• Health Care Coverage:
• Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.
• Paid Parental Leave:
• Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
• Retirement Program:
• Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.
• Professional Development and Education and Training?
• NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.
• Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.
• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
• ***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.***