Recreation Specialist

Project Renewal is a leading non-profit organization with the mission of building supportive communities where people achieve dignity and independence, renewing their lives with health, homes, and jobs. Our comprehensive and integrated 24/7 programs are designed to offer the holistic care our clients need. With a staff of 950+ and an annual budget of $140 million, Project Renewal is one of the larger social service nonprofits in New York City.

Title: Recreation Specialist

Program: Atlas Men’s Shelter

Salary Range: $43,000 - $47,000

Program Description:

Atlas Men’s Shelter is a 100 bed 24/7 general population emergency shelter for homeless men. Our comprehensive services include case management, individual and group counseling, recreational activities, and housing placement assistance. Additionally, on-site medical and psychiatric services are offered in addition to referrals to a wide variety of resources and services that our clients may need.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The essential duties of the Recreation Specialist include but are not limited to the following activities:

• Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities such as arts, crafts, sports, games, on-site tournaments and other leisure time activities

• Meet with clients regularly to ascertain and interpret client interests and develop activities to meet their interests

• Manage the daily operations of recreational schedule

• Meet new residents, introduce them to the recreational program and encourage participation

• Complete and maintain time and attendance forms

• Document client participation in recreational activities in client’s case records

• Meet and collaborate with agency personnel, community organizations, NYCity Parks Department and other professional personnel to plan balanced recreational programs for participants

• Escort clients to recreational activities and other relevant events

• Encourage consumers to attend consumer meetings/support groups, recreational activities and supports their effort.

• Participate with Team and attend meetings as required.

• Communicate with the Social Services team to discuss client concerns or client’s progress.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Social Services, Assistant Director or Program Director.

Physical Activities:

While performing the duties of this position, the Recreation Specialist must walk the ten steps to enter and leave the facility. In event the elevator is out of service, the Recreation Specialist must also walk between the nine floors of the facility, sub-basement to roof, climbing up and down the staircases, totaling 174 steps, in order to see clients. Furthermore, Recreation Specialist must stand to talk to clients and staff, sit for extended periods of time at the computer, and reach or squat to get records from the files.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or Associates’ degree

• Minimum 2 years of experience working in human services field

• Valid New York State Driver's License a plus

• Experience working with people with co-occurring substance abuse and mental illness

Preferred skills:

• Teamwork: Ability to work cooperatively with other staff in order to serve the needs of the clients as effectively as possible

• Organizational: An ability to work independently and to adjust one’s schedule to accommodate the needs of the programs

• Interpersonal: An ability to interface with clients as well as all levels of staff.

• Communication: Excellent oral, writing, and listening skills

• Computer: Knowledge of case management software as well as Microsoft Office Suite

• Language: Bilingual or multilingual a plus

Project Renewal is an equal opportunity employer. Its long-standing policy has been to embrace the equality of opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, gender (see separately issued Gender Discrimination policy for more detail), physical or mental disability, age (18 and over), military status, arrest record, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, unemployment status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.

Job Details

Pay Type Hourly