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Recreation Program Director Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

... Recreation, Gerontology, Psychology, Healthcare Administration, or a related field * Three (3) years of successful leadership experience as a Memory Care Director, Dementia Program Director, Memory ...

ADS Activity Assistant

Nashville, TN

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

... recreation/social activities, health/physical exercise. 2. Maintains activity calendar and has ... Program Director, as needed, to collect fees, supervise staff and assure efficient program ...

Formulates a goal-directed plan of care in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary treatment team ... Coordinates therapeutic recreation activities for both large and small groups to observe patient ...

Formulates a goal-directed plan of care in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary treatment team ... Coordinates therapeutic recreation activities for both large and small groups to observe patient ...

System Program Director - Hospital Medicine Physician at Bristol Regional Medical Center-HM ... recreational amenities, affordable neighborhoods, and excellent K-12 education. Rich in heritage ...

Showing results 41-60

Recreation Program Director information

What does a recreation program director do?

A Recreation Program Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing recreational programs and activities for community centers, parks, schools, or other organizations. They manage staff, create schedules, budget for resources, and ensure that programs meet the needs and interests of participants. Additionally, they may collaborate with local agencies, promote events, and evaluate program effectiveness to enhance community engagement and well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recreation program director?

To thrive as a Recreation Program Director, you need expertise in program planning, budgeting, and a background in recreation management or a related field, often supported by a bachelor’s degree. Familiarity with scheduling software, facility management systems, and, in some cases, CPR/First Aid certification is typically required. Strong leadership, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills help you work effectively with staff, participants, and community partners. These abilities are vital for creating engaging programs, ensuring safety, and meeting the diverse needs of the community.

What are some common challenges faced by recreation program directors when managing multiple programs simultaneously?

Recreation Program Directors often juggle several programs at once, which requires strong organizational and time-management skills. Common challenges include balancing limited resources, ensuring programs meet community needs, and adapting to last-minute changes such as staff shortages or facility issues. Directors must also coordinate with various stakeholders, including instructors, vendors, and community members, to keep programs running smoothly. Effective communication and flexibility are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Recreation Program Director vs Recreation Coordinator?

AspectRecreation Program DirectorRecreation Coordinator
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in recreation, leisure studies, or related field; certifications like CPR, First AidOften requires a high school diploma or associate degree; certifications like CPR, First Aid
Work EnvironmentLeads multiple programs, manages staff, oversees budgets in community centers, parks, or recreation departmentsAssists with program implementation, interacts directly with participants, supports program staff
ResponsibilitiesDevelops and manages recreation programs, supervises staff, plans budgets, evaluates program successCoordinates activities, assists with event setup, provides customer service, supports program delivery

The Recreation Program Director and Recreation Coordinator roles share some credentials and work environments, but the director typically has broader responsibilities, manages staff, and oversees multiple programs, while the coordinator focuses on supporting specific activities and participant engagement.

What are the most commonly searched types of Recreation Program jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Recreation Program jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Recreation Program Director jobs in Tennessee?

For Recreation Program Director jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Recreation Program Director jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Recreation Program Director jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Recreation Program Director jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Recreation Program Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Recreation Program Director job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist ( CTRS ) - FT Days

Acadia Healthcare

Murfreesboro, TN

$26 - $28/hr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Acadia Healthcare rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 191 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

698th of 898 rated healthcare providers


Job description

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

Plan, direct and implement activity therapy programs as a component of the patient’s treatment plan.

Hourly Range: $26.00 - $28.00


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Complete activity assessment through patient observation and patient/family interview, obtaining information on the patient’s needs, skills, interests and limitations for the development and implementation of the treatment plan.
  • Plan, organize, direct and implement the activities within the treatment program to facility patient progress with treatment goals.
  • Plan and implement an activities program including but not limited to therapeutic leisure skills and activities, leisure education and leisure awareness.
  • Facilitate and lead activity sessions to improve patient mental and physical well-being.
  • Instruct patients in activities and techniques, such are sports, dance, music, art or relaxation techniques designed to meet their specific needs.
  • Develop treatment plans and implement activity interventions that meet patient needs and interests and helps the patient achieve his/her treatment goals.
  • Engage patients in therapeutic activities, such as exercise, games and community outings.
  • Help patients learn social skills needed to become or remain independent.
  • Modify activities to suit the needs of specific groups.
  • Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always.  When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints.  Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

  • Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Bachelor's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreational Therapy or related field required.   
  • Master’s degree preferred.  
  • Three or more years’ experience in recreation in a healthcare setting with knowledge of patient population served by the facility required. 
  • Previous experience in recreation in a healthcare setting is preferred. 

 

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

  • Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or currently in the process of obtaining national certification; OR certified in the area of specialty (Art, Dance, Music, etc.) OR clinical professional licensure (LCPC, LPC, etc.) with certification in expressive therapy area required.
  • CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
  • First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances
(e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

We are committed to providing equal  employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

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About Acadia Healthcare

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Acadia Healthcare is a leading provider in the healthcare and hospital industry, based in Franklin, Tennessee, United States. The company is recognised for its commitment to creating a behavioural health network that provides accessible, high-quality treatment options for individuals suffering from mental health issues, addiction, eating disorders, and PTSD. Acadia Healthcare was founded in 2005, with the mission to create a world-class organization that sets the standard of excellence in the treatment of specialty behavioural health and addiction disorders.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Franklin, TN, US

Year founded

2005

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