Under direction, supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for the provision of recreational services for persons with disabilities for the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; provides a balance of inclusive and therapeutic recreation programs and acts as staff advisor on recreational components of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and performs the more technical and complex tasks of the work unit relative to assigned area of responsibility.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, review, and participate in the work of staff responsible for the operations of therapeutic recreation functions for the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department.

Establish schedules and methods for providing therapeutic recreation services; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate management staff; allocate resources accordingly.

Participate in the development of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; make recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; participate in the implementation of approved policies and procedures; monitor work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.

Participate in the selection of assigned staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.

Participate in the preparation and administration of the therapeutic recreation program budget; submit budget recommendations; monitor expenditures.

Oversee fund-raising efforts and grant preparation for recreation and community service programs; monitor grant funded programs to ensure compliance with established requirements.

Coordinate the Americans with Disability Act review of park and facility design, review requests for services and advise staff on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all programs and services.

Maintain yearly calendar of programs and services available to persons with disabilities; provide information and resources to the public regarding upcoming programs and services.

Identify the needs of persons with disabilities living in the City and anticipate the needs of persons with disabilities (residents and non-residents) attending special events.

Conduct on-site inspections of parks, programs, and facilities; ensure proper maintenance and safety requirements are adhered to; respond to inquiries from staff.

Design and implement staff training programs that focus on disability awareness and of effective customer service.

Provide responsible staff assistance to the Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Service in the general administration of the Department; conduct operational studies and analyses involving budget, organization, procedures, policies or administrative problems.

Provide information and referral and consultation services to families needing assistance in determining appropriate recreation and leisure opportunities for participants with disabilities.

Monitor assigned departmental events to troubleshoot potential problems; investigate complaints regarding facilities, parks, programs, or staff; identify issues and recommend corrective action.

Promote and coordinate specific activities within the therapeutic recreation program; prepare program event and facility marketing material including news releases, flyers, schedules of events, pamphlets, and brochures.

Meet with public, private, and community organizations to present and discuss issues and programs within the therapeutic recreation program; resolve complaints in a timely manner; work in collaboration with community agencies and nonprofit organizations to ensure that programs are accessible to persons with disabilities.

Schedule usage of assigned recreational facilities for activities including special events; provide information and assistance to users of facilities.

Monitor and inspect recreational facilities for safety and proper maintenance; schedule maintenance and secure facilities.

Prepare analytical and statistical reports on operations and activities.

Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of therapeutic recreation programs and services; incorporate new developments as appropriate into programs.

Perform related duties as required.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of therapeutic recreation programs and services.
Principles and practices of planning, organizing, and coordinating special and cultural events.
Principles and theories of inclusion for persons with disabilities.
Methods and techniques of developing adaptive services and programs.
Methods and techniques of grant preparation and administration.
Marketing theories, principles and practices and their application to therapeutic recreation program.
Principles and practices of public relations and customer service.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Basic principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:
Coordinate and direct therapeutic recreation programs.
Supervise, organize, and review the work of lower level staff.
Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
Supervise and participate in the work of staff responsible for therapeutic recreation.
Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies and procedures for providing therapeutic recreational programs.
Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
Prepare clear and concise reports.
Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.
Oversee fund-raising and grant efforts for therapeutic recreation programs.
Oversee operations and use of assigned recreation facility.
Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
Coordinate the provision of contracted recreational classes to the public.
Elicit community and organizational support for adaptive programs.
Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
Interpret and explain City policies and procedures.
Prepare clear and concise reports.
Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility.
Work in a team based environment to achieve common goals.
Coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks simultaneously.
Meet the physical requirements to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in therapeutic recreation and leisure services or a related field.

Experience:
Four years of experience in the coordination of therapeutic recreation programs including one year of administrative and/or lead supervisory experience.

License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Office and field environment; travel from site to site; extensive public contact.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office and field environment; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate to heavy amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

RAPG Pro
R29
Last Update: 9/2018
JD 11/2018