Therapeutic Recreation Intern

Denver; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 27,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The City and County of Denver’s Parks and Recreation department seeks a Therapeutic Recreation Intern to help plan, organize, lead and evaluate community programs for participants with disabilities. You will work with seasoned professionals in a hands-on setting to apply APIED processes and supportive inclusion strategies.

Eligibility includes current enrollment in an accredited recreation program and completion of anatomy/physiology coursework.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a Therapeutic Recreation or Adaptive Recreation program.
• Completed Anatomy or Physiology coursework (transcripted).
• Ability to intern onsite for the full semester.
• Strong interpersonal and communicational skills.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and passion for the field.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, organizing, leading and evaluating recreation programs.
• Support adaptive programs such as 1:1 APIED processes and volunteer management.
• Help implement inclusive community recreation activities for diverse participants.
• Coordinate events and participate in team projects aligned to goals.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal and written communication

Critical thinking

Passion for Therapeutic Recreation

Ability to intern onsite

Education

Anatomy or Physiology coursework

Current enrollment in accredited college program leading to degree

Job description

About Our Job

The City & County of Denver’s Parks and Recreation offers community-based therapeutic recreation programs for citizens with disabilities to develop physical, mental, emotional, social, and leisure skills necessary to participate in a continuum of activities that will enhance their well-being. The Parks and Recreation is seeking an Intern to join our team to assist in the planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating various recreation programs.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive hourly rate commensurate with education. All City and County of Denver emerging talent positions are supported by a trained hiring manager and encouraged to attend up to 4 sessions of professional development each season (Winter/Spring, Summer and Fall). You will be onboarded with a cohort of peers to begin to help you develop your network across the City and so you can go through similar programming throughout your time at the City.

What You’ll Do

As a Therapeutic Recreation Intern, you will apply your educational knowledge in a hands-on experience environment and elevate your ability to curate and implement programs alongside experienced professionals who will provide guidance. As an Intern, you will get to experience:

• Adaptive programs such as 1:1 application of APIED process, Special Olympics, and volunteer management.
• The comprehension of Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, and Documentation (APIED) when creating individual treatment plans.
• The application and facilitation of inclusion in a community recreation program.
• Organizing and implementing Therapeutic Recreation programming for participants of all ages and abilities.
• Coordinating special events
• Leading Therapeutic Recreation based activities/programs
• Working on ad hoc tasks, projects, and assignments aligned with the team’s goals and initiatives.

Location & Schedule

In this position you can expect to work on site at multiple recreation centers and other locations around the City and County of Denver. This position includes working day, evening, and weekend hours. This internship runs through one semester, either Fall (September-December), Spring (January-April) or Summer (May-August). The entirety of the internship is a 15 week/600 hour program.

The internship is anticipated to begin in Summer of 2027.

What You’ll Bring

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:

• Enrolled in a Therapeutic Recreation or Adaptive Recreation program from an accredited institution.
• Previously completed and passed a collegiate-level course(s) in either Anatomy or Physiology and be able to articulate their functionality. (grade must be on transcripts).
• Ability to Intern onsite for the full semester
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal and written skills.
• Demonstrate strong critical skills
• Passion for Therapeutic Recreation activities and programs.

Required Minimum Qualifications

We realize your time is valuable so please do not apply if you do not have at least the following required minimum qualifications:

• Education Requirement: Current enrollment in an accredited college program leading to a certificate, licensure, associate, bachelor’s, or higher degree in, or a recent graduate (completed specified program within 1 year of completion).
• Experience: None
• Education and Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted.
• License/Certification Requirement: none

Mandatory Documentation

• 1-2 page Resume (with most current information)
• Cover Letter detailing why you are interested in this position
• Transcripts – either official or unofficial; dated within your current academic term and must include a posted grade for Anatomy or Physiology course(s)

Position Type Oncall

Position Salary Range $19.29 - $21.80

Target Pay $19.42/hour-$21.26/hour based on level of education

Agency Parks and Recreation

Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies

City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact [e-mail] with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

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