Recreational Therapist

Amity Foundation, an internationally acclaimed teaching and therapeutic community is seeking compassionate and enthusiastic individuals with a desire to teach, learn and join our community as, Recreational Therapist. With this groundbreaking opportunity not only will allow you to work with our prison programs helping the inmate population but will also enhance your training and experience in the field.   About Amity: Amity Foundation is a safe place where people can change in an environment that fosters trust; where new values can be formed; responsibility developed, and lasting relationships built. Amity is dedicated to the inclusion and habilitation of people marginalized by addiction, homelessness, trauma, criminality, incarceration, poverty, racism, sexism, and violence. Amity is committed to research, development implementation and dissemination of information regarding community building.   Remembrance, Resolution, Reconciliation, Restoration, Renewal   About the Position: The Recreation Therapist develops, coordinates, implements, and supervises programs and structured activities for youth to relieve stress and learn how to have a healthy lifestyle while simultaneously learning cognitive, physical, social, and emotional skills.  Drawing on personal talents and interests, hobbies and positive forms of recreation, this position encourages mind-body wellness through health, nutrition, physical activities, groups, and relaxation and stress reduction techniques.   Full-Time On-site Non-Exempt position (Hourly)  

What You Will Do:

• Uses evidence-based assessment instruments, techniques, and skills to collect age, cultural, and baseline diagnostic data with participants to determine physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning strengths and limitations.
• Interprets assessment results to inform writing functional outcome goals designed to improve participant’s physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral functioning.
• Develops, coordinates, implements, and supervises activities for youth to promote stress relief and healthy lifestyles.
• Teaches cognitive, physical, social, and emotional skills.
• Encourages participation in the treatment program.
• Instructs youth in leisure awareness and leisure counseling.
• Aids in the adjustment to the PGYCC setting.
• Offers independent living skills instruction.
• Provides therapy that promotes wellness.
• Designs and delivers recreational therapeutic activities to decrease symptoms and fosters awareness and growth.
• Encourages mind-body wellness through health, nutrition, physical activities, groups, relaxation, and stress reduction techniques.
• Orders and maintains supplies and equipment used for all activities.
• Maintains sensitivity and objectivity under pressures generated by associate with participants.
• Demonstrates ability to provide warmth, empathy, and honesty to participants to facilitate positive change and develop a treatment alliance with participants.
• Provides program participants with frequent acknowledgment and reinforcement for positive behaviors, as well as consistent and predictable feedback for negative behaviors, which may include reporting violations to PGYCC staff.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior to maintain professional standards and safeguard the participant.
• Protects and maintains participants’ health, safety, welfare, and confidentiality of records and information.
• Models professionalism, effective work habits, and responsible living.

What You Will Bring:

• Required:
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in Therapeutic Recreation, or in recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation.
• Must be certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, hours are subject to change based on program needs
• Must pass a background check administered by CDCR.               
• Ability to maintain sensitivity and objectivity under pressures generated by association with participants. 
• Ability to provide genuine warmth, empathy, and honest sensitivity to program participants to facilitate positive change.
• Ability to provide program participants with frequent acknowledgment and reinforcement for positive behaviors, as well as consistent and predictable feedback for negative behaviors, which may include reporting violations to CDCR staff.
• Ability to develop a treatment alliance with participants.
• Ability to effectively supervise and train a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent interpersonal, written communication and typing skills.

What We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, Vision.
• Paid vacation, sick time, & holidays.
• 401K, HSA, & Life insurance programs.
• Organization committed to community action.
• Community oriented workplace