The Recreation Coordinator is a full-time position and reports to the Assistant Program Director. The Recreation Coordinator, in consultation with the Assistant Program Director and educational staff of the program, will develop and implement a recreational curriculum adapted for Spanish-speaking boys and girls in a residential shelter. The Recreation Coordinator will teach staff and children games, sports and recreational techniques, and lead physical exercise. The Recreation Coordinator is also responsible to teach safe warm-up activities, principles and practices of sportsmanship, and safety measures for indoor and outdoor sports. The Recreation Coordinator is a grant position related solely to the Unaccompanied Children’s Shelter as funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement and any successor funding.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Develops and implements recreational teaching curriculum with lesson plans, adapted to the conditions of residents of Maryville Unaccompanied Children Shelters. This curriculum will be implemented in the school as well as in after-school residential care;
- Leads recreational activities with children on both campuses on a rotating basis and according to schedules and lesson plans;
- Leads training of residential and educational staff on sportsmanship, safety rules, sports and games, motivational techniques and exercise;
- Provides training to staff and children on prevention of injuries;
- Documents all recreational activities led by recreation specialist or the staff he/she has trained;
- Serves as a referee or arbiter for sports activities, including, but not limited to, soccer;
- Plans and executes at least four sports-related field trips per year; may be asked to attend or lead additional field trips;
- Organizes cross-campus games and events, as appropriate to the population;
- Attends weekly Treatment Team meetings on both campuses;
- Collaborates with Maryville or external medical staff in the case of an emergency or injury;
- Designs special activities for children with physical limitations;
- Implements the Maryville’s policy on Zero Tolerance to Sexual Abuse;
- Implements all emergency routines and procedures as necessary;
- Oversees sports equipment and proper use and storage;
- Reports and communicates all concerns to supervisor;
- Assures that all activities are conducted with appropriate precautions taken for the safety of the participants;
- Other duties as assigned
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education/Experience:
- Undergraduate degree in physical education or related field from an accredited university program;
- At least three years of experience in leading recreational services to children and adolescent population;
- Coaching license from an Illinois sports association;
- Successful completion of all staff education requirements including: Pre-Service training, NCI, CPR, and ARC Model;
- Must possess a valid driver’s license;
- Minimum 21 years of age.
Skills /Knowledge:
- Bilingual English/Spanish language competency required;
- Knowledge of best practices in recreational activities including development, implementation, and evaluation of recreational curriculum;
- Knowledge of the rules and fundamentals of soccer and other sports activities;
- Knowledge of child development, particularly of adolescents;
- Ability to use good judgment and think quickly and rationally in stressful situations;
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to children as well as to colleagues;
- Ability to establish trust and positive rapport with children, and work within ethical boundaries;
- Ability to effectively prioritize job duties and needs of the children;
- Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word and Excel) and documentation programs;
- Ability to drive a passenger van.