Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To plan, organize, coordinate, implement and evaluate a balanced therapeutic recreation program of physical, social, cultural and leisure activities to meet the individual needs, interest and abilities of male and female youth at Roy McMurtry Youth Centre and to contribute to a multi-disciplinary team case management approach in the provision of services to youth.

Duties / Responsibilities :

The incumbent will be responsible for: 1.Participating in the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of recreation programs for male and female youth. Organizing and implementing a variety of recreational activities involving staff, community groups, agencies and volunteers. Coordinating and scheduling the use of the Youth Centres recreational facilities. Initiating and organizing special events, tournaments, social events, etc. 2.Providing supervision, training and instruction including lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in recreational activities, such as physical sports, passive recreation, games, arts and crafts, recreational clubs, weight training, etc. Performs related duties such as: teaching special courses to youth and staff, providing technical support to casual workers, co-op and community college students. 3.Ensuring the safety, security and welfare of young persons and staff while they are participating in recreation programs. Writing incident/occurrence and behavioural reports. Responding to emergencies as necessary. Ensuring security, control and safety standards are maintained during activities. 4.Participates as a multi-disciplinary team member in the Case Management process; Contributes to the Case Management Plan. Evaluates performance of youth within recreational activities and provides documentation of progress and development of youth as required. Provides regular case management report updates. 5.Counsels youth using tact, patience and understanding in order to promote and encourage positive responses and a high level of participation in recreational activities. 6.Ensures equipment, materials and facilities are clean maintained in a good state repair. Determines equipment and supply needs and submits purchase requests to management. 7.Works with community agencies around resource sharing and providing necessary supervision.

Staffing and Licencing :

Current First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Heartsaver Certificates and AED.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of the theories, principles and rules of recreation activities such as physical education, kinesiology or recreation leadership to instruct and guide participants in physical, social, cultural and/or educational recreation activities. Job requires knowledge of counseling skills and motivation techniques to perform supervision during recreation activities and experience in supervising recreation programs. Job requires knowledge to design, plan, evaluate, and recommend changes to recreation programs as they relate to various activities. The ability to manage a varied recreation program as well as ability to lead/supervise youth. Job requires ability to acquire knowledge of ministry statement of youth justice mission and principles, ministry policies, ministry vision and goals, and various legislation (e.g. Human Rights Code, Ministry of Correctional Services Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Child and Family Services Act, Fire codes, Occupational Health and Safety Act); knowledge of security requirements, concepts of dynamic security and relationship custody. Job requires knowledge of Emergency First Aid, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and AED to respond to medical emergencies. Job requires knowledge of computers and related software to produce recreational activity schedules, type reports and use internal email system.

Skills :

Advanced communication skills – written (e.g. formal and informal reports; court submissions; logs), verbal (e.g. ability to succinctly describe situations, report, give directions in an appropriate manner) and non-verbal (e.g. body language, gestures); interpersonal skills, including the skills necessary to develop successful relationships (e.g. listening skills). Analytical and evaluation skills to participate in the planning and design of recreation programs, implementation and selection of required equipment/material. Interviewing, coaching and counseling skills; facilitation, leadership and team building skills; analytical, interpretive, reasoning and problem-solving skills. Skills in maintaining order and security through relationship custody and dynamic security practices; skills in anticipating, de-escalating and defusing any potentially hostile situations, and in the application of appropriate physical intervention and restraint when required.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working in accordance with the principles, theories and rules of recreation activities with emphasis on policies and procedures regarding safety and security to ensure custody and control of participating youth during recreational activities. Job requires making decisions within an approved recreational program in relation to equipment, materials, the alteration of specific activities as required (e.g. due to inclement weather) and the safety and security of young persons. Job requires seeking advice/guidance/direction from an on-site supervisor for situations (e.g. changes in recreational program, malfunction of equipment) not covered by the principles, theories and rules of recreation activities, policies and procedures manual.