ADAPTIVE RECREATION SPECIALIST Category: Full-Time
Status: Open
Hourly: Min $22.453 - Mid $28.067; Effective 10/01/2026
Published: September 23, 2026
Closing: Until Filled DEFINITION To assist in designing, organizing and implementing a comprehensive recreation and leisure education program for individuals with special needs; and to develop and implement a variety of recreational and educational activities for individual clients. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED - Receives direction from the Recreation Therapist.
- Exercises indirect supervision over Therapeutic Recreation program staff.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: - Assist in designing, promoting, implementing and evaluating a variety of recreation activities and programs for youth and adults with physical, emotional, and mental disabilities.
- Assist in organizing and implementing a monthly calendar of events and projects.
- Maintain daily attendance records and prepare the monthly attendance reports.
- Prepare communications with clients and their families through written progress reports and participate in meetings with parent support groups.
- Maintain close contact with school officials and community groups having related responsibilities for program implementation.
- Plan and coordinate fund raising activities and events.
- Assist in determining program content and the methods used in providing recreational therapy for each client.
- Attend Special Olympic certification clinics and coaches meetings; train athletes for participation in the Special Olympics; assist in planning and organizing local Special Olympics events.
- Respond to inquiries or requests for service from interested community groups and citizens.
- Participate in meetings to discuss and evaluate program techniques and content.
- Plan and organize special holiday activities including presentations and plays; assist in designing and fabricating sets and costumes.
- Participate in all aspects of recreation therapy programs and events; prepare materials for daily programs.
- Schedule and make public presentations relating to programs and services offered.
- Maintain knowledge of current techniques in the recreation therapy field; attend workshops and conferences.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS For indefinite periods of time - mobility within an office and field environment; exposure to mechanical, electrical, dust/mites, and fume/odor hazards; exposure to extreme heat, cold and constant noise; writing; walking; stooping; standing; sorting; sitting; seeing; lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds; grasping; climbing; cleaning; reading; decision making; reaching above shoulder level; using both hands for simple and firm grasping; clarity of hearing; communicating clearly and effectively, in person, and by telephone; fine finger manipulation; operation of a copier, tv, vcr, stereo, and general craft tools; operating a bus and van through city traffic. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: - Procedures for implementing a variety of recreational therapy activities and programs for the disabled through community participation.
- Principles of recreation program development.
- Program content for specialized community recreation activities.
- Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
- Recreational, cultural, and social needs of the community.
- Methods of presenting and publicizing recreation and educational programs and activities.
- Personal computer operations and general applications Microsoft Office.
Ability to: - Assist in coordinating, organizing, and implementing recreation and leisure time activities and specialized events for youth and adults with physical, emotional, and mental disabilities.
- Understand community needs in a variety of recreational therapy areas and evaluate activities according to those needs.
- Assist in designing effective individual therapeutic programs for the disabled.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public groups, agencies, school officials, the media and others contacted in the course of work.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE Some experience in the implementation of recreation therapy activities and programs and/or a Bachelor's degree with major course work in recreation therapy is highly desirable. LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES - Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) weeks a valid Texas CDL.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain within three (3) months, a Water Fitness Instructor Certification and an American Red Cross Lifesaving (shallow water) Certification.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain within one (1) month, CPR, First Aid and AED Certifications.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) months, a Special Olympics Coaches Certification in various sports.
*Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. *Duties, responsibilities and actions may change at any time with or without notice. The City of La Porte is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Qualified Individuals
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