Assistant Recreational Therapist at Cooke School and Institute

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:                 Assistant Recreational Therapist Transitions 

Supervisor: Associate Head of School of Transitions

Regular Daily Schedule: 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Calendar to Follow: 10-month Academic Calendar

Status: Exempt

Term: 10 Months

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

The Assistant Recreational Therapist is responsible for providing a meaningful and effective physical and recreational program for all students assigned in a self-contained setting under the direct supervision of the Associate Head of Transitions.  In this capacity it is expected that the Assistant will establish collaborative relationships with community partners, families, students, and Transitions colleagues to ensure successful classroom and community instruction.  The Assistant Rec. Therapist's responsibilities are as follows:

Instruction and Assessment

• Assist Head Teacher in presenting activities designed to enhance the healthy physical, social, and emotional development of all students

• Engage students in therapeutic activities, such as exercise, games, and community outings

• Assist with observations and assessments of students to determine their learning styles and physical needs in order to help modify and individualize instruction

• Supervise student activities to ensure safety at all times

• Support student’s integration into the community by teaching them how to use community resources and safely participate in recreational activities

• Assist in creating weekly plans and activities

• Help students learn social and community navigation skills needed to become or remain independent

• Provide instruction or remediation in an engaging and interesting manner

• Assist with the development of recreational or social activities for school events.

• Any other duties deemed necessary by the Administration to ensure the vision, mission, and values of Cooke school are supported

Planning and Record Keeping

• Assist in planning and preparing the learning environment, setting up equipment, preparing materials and organizing supplies

• Participate in the development of Progress Reports

• Maintain daily/weekly observations/anecdotals on each student, including descriptive records of class behaviors and interventions and examples of each students class work

• Assist with recording attendance for students daily

Classroom/Community Organization and Management

• Assist in the planning and implementation of a daily program under the direction of the Head Recreational Therapist

• Support behavioral plans with integrity and consistency

• Assist in creating and maintaining a nurturing, supportive environment in the classroom and community

• Assist in organizing equipment, materials and resources in an inviting and safe manner

General Professional Responsibilities

• Assume the responsibility of the head teacher when he/she is not present

• Initiate and foster good working relationship with head teacher, paraprofessionals, related service providers, job coaches, and site administrators

• Attend and participate in site and school wide meetings and training programs

• Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance

• Arrive at school and meetings promptly and be prepared for the day’s responsibilities

• Demonstrate courtesy and support to students, colleagues, and administrators, and families

• Utilize supervisor for guidance, discussion, collaboration, professional and self-growth

• Develop professional growth goals with supervisor and create and implement a plan to reach the agreed upon goals

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree

• Related experience in field 

• Classroom experience preferred

Physical Requirements

Able to maintain the physical capacity required to navigate the school environment and to ensure the safety of the students; the ability to…

•  walk, run, sit, and stand

•  move rapidly forward, backward, and laterally

•  bend and stoop

•  push, pull, and lift

Professional Development

All Cooke staff are responsible for developing a professional growth plan with their supervisor.  Staff training is an integral part of the Cooke School and as such is a requirement of the job.  All staff must at a minimum: attend all scheduled Staff Development activities throughout the year and participate in staff orientation scheduled for the last week in August.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement

The Cooke School and Institute provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Cooke complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

The Cooke School and Institute expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.  Improper interference with the ability of Cooke’s employees to perform their expected job duties is not tolerated.

Qualifications