Position: Recreational Specialist

Rate Range: $25.60/hr up to $29.41/hr based upon education and related experience

Schedule: Core working hours are Monday through Friday 9a to 5p, with some evenings and weekends as needed

Location: Homestead area of Pittsburgh, PA

Devereux/TCV Community Services is hiring for a Recreational Specialist starting in August within our brand-new STAIRS program set to open early this fall in Homestead, PA—join us in shaping innovative, community-based care!

Position Summary:

The Recreational Specialist in the STAIRS program works with youth ages 6-21 who have autism and developmental disabilities. In this role, you will design and implement recreational and social activities tailored to each individual's needs. Working within a multidisciplinary team, including the Program Director, Residential Manager, Behavior Analysts, and other staff, you will provide support to youth with severe behavioral challenges and skill deficits.

Your primary responsibility is to create therapeutic programs that foster socialization, skill development, and positive behavior in youth who have not responded to less restrictive treatment settings. You'll ensure all activities are safe, monitor youth progress, and document participation to inform treatment planning.

As a Recreational Specialist, you’ll contribute to enhancing the lives of youth with complex needs, providing meaningful opportunities for growth in a supportive, therapeutic environment.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Project Management: Plan, implement, and oversee recreational activities and social programs, ensuring they meet quality, efficiency, and safety standards.
• Resident Evaluation & Documentation: Assess residents’ progress, update treatment goals, and document behavior and development in a timely, accurate manner.
• Communication & Liaison: Serve as a communication link between residents, families, staff, and other stakeholders to support care coordination.
• Crisis Management: Use Safe & Positive Approaches (S&PA) for crisis intervention when necessary.

Being a Recreation Specialist at Devereux/TCV has its advantages!

• Transform Lives: Help youth with autism and complex behavioral needs make meaningful progress.
• Team-Based Care: Work alongside a skilled, multidisciplinary team.
• Family Involvement: Empower families through training and active participation.
• Growth Opportunity: Gain valuable experience in intensive behavioral treatment.
• Educational Collaboration: Support skill-building across home, school, and community.

Keywords: Residential Recreation Specialist, Developmental disabilities jobs, Youth residential treatment jobs, Activity planning for special populations

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum 3 years working directly with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral disorders, providing recreational activities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, data collection/analysis platforms, strong organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• State PA criminal, FBI, and PA child abuse clearances required.
• Valid PA driver’s license with three (3) year driving record required.
• Must be able to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening.

Devereux has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and maintains policies and procedures to systematically reduce the risk of abuse to occur in our organization. Devereux fosters a culture of reporting abuse, and will cooperate with the authorities to the fullest extent possible.

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