Youth Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

The Children s Center of Hamden Inc; Whitneyville (CT); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life & Disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Wellness programs

403(b) retirement savings plan

Health Savings Account contributions

Paid time off

Job summary

The Children’s Center of Hamden seeks a passionate Recreation Specialist to design and facilitate therapeutic recreation for children in a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF). You’ll help build emotional regulation, social skills, confidence, resilience, and healthy leisure habits through engaging activities.

Working with a multidisciplinary team, you’ll support individualized treatment goals, lead staff, and ensure safe, engaging recreation environments across spaces, cottages,

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, Parks and Recreation, Child Development, Psychology, Education, Human Services, or related field preferred.
• Experience with children/adolescents in therapeutic or residential settings is a plus.
• Experience facilitating recreational or educational activities with youth preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation activities aligned with treatment goals.
• Assess each child’s interests, strengths, and developmental needs.
• Facilitate individual, small group, and large group programming.
• Provide leadership to Direct Care staff in activity planning and execution.
• Educate staff on goals of recreational interventions to maximize participation.
• Coordinate approved community recreation outings.
• Maintain documentation and records within timeframes.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Motivate and engage children

Trauma-informed care

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy or related field

Tools

CPR & First Aid certifications

CPI/CCG certification

Job description

The Children’s Center of Hamden seeks a passionate Recreation Specialist to design and facilitate therapeutic recreation for children in a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF). You’ll help build emotional regulation, social skills, confidence, resilience, and healthy leisure habits through engaging activities.

Working with a multidisciplinary team, you’ll support individualized treatment goals, lead staff, and ensure safe, engaging recreation environments across spaces, cottages,