Recreation Assistant Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Cary's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources department is seeking an energetic and caring person to join the Specialized Recreation & Inclusion Services team as a Program Assistant II. If you have experience working with persons with disabilities and a desire to create fun, inclusive spaces, then this is the job for you!

Cary is committed to an inclusive approach to recreation and encourages individuals with and without disabilities to participate together, and the Program Assistant II will play an integral role in fulfilling that mission. In this position, you will assist and lead specialized recreation programs and events and will work to create an inclusive community for individuals of all ages and abilities to engage in fun recreational settings. This position will assist in program planning. Candidates should be patient, flexible, and possess a can-do attitude.

This position requires a flexible schedule specifically to cover a variety of shifts. Daytime availability (between the hours of 9AM - 5PM) and some evenings and weekends as needed is preferred.

This is a part-time, non-benefited, year-round position, up to 20 hours a week, with a maximum of 999 hours per year.

Specialized Recreation:

• Supports the planning and implementation of Specialized Recreation programs and events
• Assists the Recreation Program Specialist in program planning, implementation, including set up and take down, and evaluation.
• Provides excellent customer service to participants, community members, contractors, and vendors.
• Actively participates in activities alongside participants who have disabilities, engaging and assisting them as needed throughout the program or event
• Assists in tracking data trends on class participation

Inclusion Services:

• Serves as an Inclusion Counselor to supervise and assist participants with disabilities in camp settings or other general recreation programs
• Implements participant inclusion plan recommendations and completes all necessary documentation

Tasks for Specialized Recreation and Inclusion:

• Engages and communicates effectively with coworkers, parents/guardians, care providers, service providers, and supervisors
• Monitors participants for safety and addresses behavior concerns
• Performs other job-related tasks as required.

• General knowledge of planning, implementing and evaluating programs and events for persons who have disabilities
• Prior experience working with persons who have disabilities
• Ability to make activity adaptations and modifications for a variety of ability levels
• Ability to work and communicate effectively and enthusiastically with persons of all ages and all ability levels
• Ability to take initiative and exercise sound judgment and leadership when monitoring participants for safety and addressing behavior concerns as they arise
• Possess good customer service skills
• General knowledge of spreadsheet data entry, office practices and procedures, grammar and punctuation, and other specific information technology applications

Education and Experience

Requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate degree with major course work in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy, Education (General, Special, or Physical) or a related field.

Requires some prior experience working in programs/environments serving persons with disabilities.

Requires CPR and First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months with provided training)

Physical Requirements

Work in this class requires an employee to be able to hear and talk in order to communicate with the public. An employee must be able to walk unassisted and move about freely. Requires the ability to lift moderately heavy items (up to 25 lbs.) such as chairs, 6-foot tables, rolling bleachers, and event supplies. Visual acuity is needed in order to read typewritten and handwritten materials and to view a computer terminal.

Conditions of Employment

Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, SBI fingerprinting, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment.

Requires possession of a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Cary ensures equal employment opportunities (EEO) are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.

Temporary, Seasonal, and Intern Employees Cary employs temporary and seasonal employees and interns who generally are scheduled to work on a short-term basis. Employees hired as a temporary or seasonal employee, or as an intern, are not eligible for the Town of Cary's full-time employee benefits package.