Recreation Therapy Intern

JOB PURPOSE: To assist with all job responsibilities of the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist including (but not limited to) assessing, planning, developing, implementing and evaluating therapeutic recreation programs for children and adults with disabilities within our member park districts and recreation departments. To gain exposure to components of the NCTRC Job Analysis Task Domains. While it is not mandatory that applicants be exposed to all the sub categories within tach task area, each of the main task areas must be completed. No less than 20 hours per week or more than 45 hours per week will be accepted for the internship experience, except as may be provided in the Alternative Internship Guidelines. Additionally, the internship experience must be completed for no less than fourteen consecutive full weeks. The total minimum number of required hours is 560. For students completing only 20 hours a week, the total number of weeks will be 28 to meet the minimum 560 hour requirement. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Communication and Outreach Provide timely responses to phone calls, voicemail and written materials, whether received by mail, fax, or email sent by NWSRA. Treat public complaints and concerns with the utmost attention. Is courteous in all cases. Position Specific Responsibilities Assist in supervision and evaluation for part-time staff and volunteers in assigned programs. Serve as a team leader, prompting group cohesiveness while leading programs and assist in preparing part-time staff and volunteers working in the assigned programs. Develop goals and objectives for each assigned programs and maintain all program paperwork; i.e., records, forms, and correspondence. Effectively navigate to and from designated points in the member districts assigned quickly and without hesitation. Maintain expenditure records for each assigned program, collect, and turn in receipts from program expenses in a timely fashion. Plan and develop programs of all types including weekly, clubs, special events, Leisure Education, camps, trips/overnights, Lightning Athletics and cooperative programs. Prepare and implement behavior management strategies when necessary, to ensure safe involvement in recreation programs by people with disabilities. Drive agency vehicles and transport program participants, as required, and assist in care and maintenance of vehicles as required. Demonstrate creativity, enthusiasm, and take initiative when leading programs. Responsible for record keeping such as attendance sheets, as well as incident and accident reporting forms. Provide assistance and instruction to the participants when needed. Understand needs of persons with disabilities and adapt activities to enable participation when necessary. Assist with the development and implementation of behavior plans when needed in assigned programs. Other duties needed to help drive our Vision, fulfill our Mission, and abide by NWSRA’s Core Values. Safety Understand safety polices, maintain a working knowledge of all general and departmental-specific safety policies and inspect work and program areas for compliance with safe work practices and policies. Enforce safety policies by improving employee and public knowledge while correcting unsafe behavior and conditions. Cooperate and assist in the investigation of accidents/ incidents and attends all required safety program and education meetings.