Recreational Therapist

Polk County Conservation is seeking a passionate, visionary Recreational Therapist to champion community-wide inclusion at the Athene North Shore Recreation Area at Easter Lake, widely celebrated as one of the most universally accessible-designed parks in the nation. In this dynamic leadership role, you will manage adaptive programming across a cutting-edge, fully ADA-accessible waterfront facility equipped with wide paved pathways, an inclusive playground, a sensory sound garden, and a zero-entry beach ramp. You will empower visitors of all ages and abilities by directing the rental and safe use of specialized adaptive outdoor equipment, including adaptive kayaks, handcycles, and beach wheelchairs—while cultivating strategic partnerships with local community organizations. If you are a certified therapeutic specialist dedicated to eliminating barriers to nature, breaking down physical boundaries, and enriching lives through purposeful, inclusive outdoor recreation, we invite you to lead our park operations and help shape the gold standard for accessible public spaces.

Under general supervision of the Leisure Services Manager, supervises the day to day activities of Easter Lake North Shore Recreation Area and supervises semi-skilled, part-time staff, and volunteers. Provides professional, clinically trained, outdoor-based recreational therapy for individuals with short-term or long-term disabilities. 

1. Effectively recommends personnel actions related to selection, performance review, scheduling and discipline; administers personnel and related policies and procedures for part-time, seasonal, and on-call staff. 
2. Develops standard operating procedures for staff and volunteers.
3. Develops safety training protocols and delivers training to staff and volunteers. 
4. Develops, plans, schedules, coordinates, and conducts programming, outreach, and special events.
5. Fosters community partnerships with agencies that serves Veterans and persons with disabilities.
6. Develops short-term and long-term therapy plans for individuals/users and evaluates and documents progress toward their achievement.
7. Effectively communicates patient/participant status and perceived outcomes in order to ensure positive therapeutic outcomes and insurance coverage (ie direct communication with insurance companies and medial professionals and drafting letters of medical necessity)  
8. Maintains records and prepares reports related to north shore operations.
9. Conducts presentations and outreach to various audiences.
10. Researches and writes grant applications and/or raises funds for north shore operations, equipment, and programming.
11. Performs related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of the Conservation department's operation programs, functions, and objectives.
• Knowledge of state, federal, and local laws and regulations about park and public recreation operations, construction and zoning, and concession and food preparation. 
• Knowledge of proper safety procedures and occupational hazards associated with maintaining and repairing facilities and grounds and operating public recreation facilities and other community programs.
• Knowledge of the current principles and practices of effective supervision.
• Knowledge of universal design principles and adaptive outdoor recreation.
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, socio-emotional health, and professional ethics/advocacy associated with occupational therapy. 
• Ability to work with partner agencies on safe programming and events and effectively create adaptions and solutions to ensure high level of accessibility and inclusivity.
• Ability to ensure safe and effective delivery of various program elements such as skilled transfers from wheelchairs to outdoor recreation equipment.
• Ability to plan, direct, schedule, and evaluate the work of part-time and seasonal staff. 
• Ability to understand and provide oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Recreational Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or a related field, and 
• Three years in a clinical healthcare field, or 
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.