Recreational Therapist Manager

Harc, Inc.; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Generous paid time off

Professional development and training

Job summary

Harc seeks a Recreation Therapist Manager to lead therapeutic recreation and community engagement programs for children and young adults with complex needs in Hartford, CT. You will supervise staff, plan inclusive activities, and ensure high-quality services aligned with person-centered practices.

The role requires a strong background in therapeutic recreation, leadership capabilities, and excellent communication, with flexibility for evenings and weekends as program needs demand.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in a rehabilitation therapeutic recreation program.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
• Reliable attendance, strong time management, and flexibility for evenings or weekends.
• Experience supervising or coaching Direct Support Professionals preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation and community engagement programming.
• Plan inclusive activities responsive to participant interests and needs.
• Supervise Direct Support Professionals and other program staff during activities.
• Coordinate schedules, staffing, supplies, and logistics for community programs.
• Build relationships with community partners and inclusive activity providers.
• Ensure safety and maintain accurate documentation of participation and progress.
• Communicate regularly with families, guardians, and interdisciplinary teams.

Skills

Therapeutic recreation knowledge

Supervisory leadership

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Adaptability in recreation programs

Education

Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Recreational Therapist Manager

Full Time Hartford, CT, US

Salary Range: $55,000.00 To $65,000.00 Annually

Recreational Therapist Manager Job Description

About Harc

Harc provides support for a lifetime to individuals with intellectual and related disabilities and their families, so they may enjoy lives of quality, inclusion, and dignity. We are a vibrant nonprofit organization based in Hartford, Connecticut, offering a range of person-centered services including residential support, employment and day programs, family support, recreation, community engagement, and more.

Position Summary

The Recreation Therapist Manager provides leadership, coordination, and therapeutic recreation expertise for Harc's Children's Community Engagement Program. This role is responsible for planning, implementing, evaluating, and continuously improving inclusive recreational, social, and skill-building programming for children and young adults with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities.

The Recreation Therapist Manager ensures that program activities are developmentally appropriate, person-centered, community-based, and aligned with each participant's interests, strengths, support needs, and family input. This position supervises and guides direct support staff, coordinates community-based activities, monitors program quality, and promotes meaningful engagement, inclusion, independence, and quality of life for participants.

Core Responsibilities

• This position requires flexibility, including evening and weekend hoursas well as on-call during times of program operation.
• Develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation and community engagement programming for children and young adults with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities.
• Plan inclusive recreational, social, and skill-building activities that are developmentallyappropriate, person-centered, and responsive to participant interests and support needs.
• Evaluate program effectiveness, participant engagement, activity outcomes, and overall service quality.
• Adapt activities and environments to support participation by individuals with diverse intellectual, emotional, behavioral, communication, sensory, and physical needs.
• Supervise, coach, and guide Direct Support Professionals and other program staff during recreational and community-based activities.
• Providestaff guidance on adaptive recreation strategies, positive engagement, social skill development, and individualized supports within a group-based service model.
• Coordinate schedules, staffing assignments, supplies, activitylogistics, and community-based programming opportunities.
• Build andmaintainrelationships with community partners, recreational facilities, civic organizations, and other inclusive activity providers.
• Support safe participation in community settings by implementing supervision plans, risk awareness practices, and program protocols.
• Maintainaccuratedocumentation related to participation, attendance, activity planning, program outcomes, incidents, and participant progress.
• Communicate regularly with families, guardians, program leadership, DDS representatives, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Contribute to continuous quality improvement efforts by reviewing data,identifyingtrends, and recommending program enhancements.
• Ensure services reflect Harc's commitment to dignity, inclusion, person-centered planning, and meaningful community participation.
• Additionalresponsibilities may be assigned.
• Strong knowledge of therapeutic recreation principles, adaptive recreation, and community-based inclusion
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate recreational programming for individuals with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities
• Effective supervisory, coaching, and team leadership skills
• Strong communicationskills with participants, families, staff, community partners, and program leadership
• Ability to adapt activities to meet diverse developmental, behavioral, sensory, communication, and physical support needs
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and attention to safety in community settings
• Strong organizational skills, including scheduling, documentation, and activity coordination
• Commitment to person-centered practices, dignity, inclusion, and participant choice
• Ability to support positive social engagement, peer interaction, and skill development
• Flexible, collaborative, and solution-oriented approach to program operations

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in a rehabilitation therapeutic recreation program performing such activities as program evaluation, planning, and application for individuals with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities.
• College training in a recognized therapeutic recreation discipline may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of fifteen semester hours equaling one-half year of experience, up to a maximum substitution of four years for a Bachelor’s degree.
• Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, recreation therapy, human services, special education, rehabilitation, or a related field preferred.
• Experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising or coaching direct support staff preferred.
• Knowledge of adaptive recreation, inclusive programming, community-based supports , and person-centered planning preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required .
• Ability tomaintainaccuratedocumentation and support program reporting requirements.
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office and ability to learn required documentation, scheduling, and data systems.
• Reliable attendance, strong time management, and ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings or weekends as program needs require.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Meaningful work supporting children, young adults, and families in inclusive community settings

Join Our Team

This is an exciting opportunity to help lead a meaningful community-based program at Harc and make a positive impact every day.

Harc is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.