CPRS Job Listing

This is a fantastic opportunity for a Therapeutic Recreation or Accessibility professional to get involved in a top-notch recreation program and play a key role in shaping inclusive and accessible offering from the ground up. This role offers the chance to grow and expand the City’s commitment to inclusive recreation in impactful and lasting ways.

The City of Palo Alto Community Services Department is hiring for the newly expanded full-time role of Therapeutic Recreation & Accessibility Coordinator. This position requires a motivated and energetic candidate with strong organization and communication skills. This position will be primarily responsible for development, oversight, and leadership of streamlining processes and services that support specialized recreation programs for individuals of all ages, with a special focus on those with disabilities and unique recreation needs in a community setting. As a fairly new position, this role will have the unique and exciting opportunity to evaluate the City’s existing programming and services and develop a comprehensive plan that will outline the City's strategy for providing inclusion services moving forward. This position will also serve as the Community Services Department's key staff representative for all-inclusive recreation needs in the department, coordinating with partner organizations, and with community members.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead comprehensive evaluation of existing department and city inclusive recreation programming and develop a comprehensive plan that will outline the City’s strategy for providing inclusion services moving forward.
• Establish and foster positive relationships with community partners and service providers for people with disabilities in Palo Alto and the surrounding area.
• Create a positive, welcoming, and safe environment with an emphasis on building and maintaining rapport with program participants, families, staff, and volunteers.
• Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of adaptive and inclusive services and programs for individuals of all ages with disabilities.
• Provide guidance, supervision, and performance feedback to additional staff and/or volunteers involved in programs as needed.
• Promote specialized recreation initiatives through crafting and disseminating promotional materials, drafting program descriptions, and identifying target audiences for outreach efforts.
• Offer administrative and logistical support to class and/or contracted instructors, including equipment procurement, material reproduction, on-site assistance with registration and evaluation processes, and orientation to facilities and emergency procedures.
• Develop and provide training and resources for Community Services Department staff on best practices and strategies for working with individuals with disabilities, including seasonal summer camp.
• Encourage positive interactions among participants through group facilitation and provide necessary assistance to facilitate independence and successful learning for each individual.
• Maintain detailed and proper documentation and discretion of confidential information.
• Collaborate with Community Services Department coordinators and programmers to evaluate activities to meet the needs of program participants.
• As assigned, will serve as liaison to community groups and organizations, parents, and/or school officials regarding activities within their assigned program areas.
• May utilize specialized software applications to assist with department-related programs. Attend required staff meetings and trainings.
• As needed, assist in development of the budget; monitor program budget, identify and analyze trends. Provide regular and specialized reporting.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
• Follow procedures and policies as set by the City of Palo Alto to ensure the safe operation of programs.
• Responsible for maintaining safe practices and conditions in a municipal recreation environment.

For full job description, please click HERE.

The ideal candidate will be a friendly, highly organized, community-focused, and solutions-oriented professional who has demonstrated success in developing relevant and successful inclusive and adaptive recreation services. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in recreation or a related field and might also possess certification in Therapeutic Recreation. They will also have 2-3 years of experience in the recreation or human services field serving individuals with disabilities.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Social Work/Human Services or a related field or equivalent experience. Any combination of work experience and education equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Recreation or closely related field will be considered.
• Minimum of one to two years of experience in leadership, with a focus on specialized community recreation such as inclusive, adaptive and/or therapeutic recreation.
• Understanding of the basic foundations of therapeutic recreation including the philosophy of community recreation and inclusion and the physical, cognitive, and social-economic needs of individuals with varying disabilities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.   Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Current CPR/AED and First Aid Training or ability to obtain within six months of employment.
• Valid California Driver’s License and an insurable driving record.
   

Apply online: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/paloaltoca/jobs/5021606/therapeu…

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