Recreation Officer

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Consider a rewarding career in correctional services and join us in making a difference in the lives of individuals in custody and keeping our communities safe.

The Thunder Bay Correctional Centre is looking for a keen individual to contribute in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a balanced (physical, social, cultural, educational) recreation program for inmates with diverse needs and security requirements.

The Thunder Bay Correctional Centre is located at:2351 Highway 61 South, Thunder Bay(Please click on address link for a map of where the institution is located)

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is one of the largest employers in the province, with a wide range of exciting career opportunities. We believe in the core values of trust, fairness, diversity, excellence, creativity, collaboration, efficiency and responsiveness. We are committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

We offer:
• A defined benefit pension plan
• Maternity and parental leave top-up benefits which includes adoptive parents
• Comprehensive Health Plan
• Life and Disability insurance
• Collegial and professional work culture
• Career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas
• We provide on-the-job training to support your success in the role

The OPS has been recognized as a top employer. We are proud to have been acknowledged as one of:
• Canada's Top 100 Employers
• Canada's Best Diversity Employers
• Greater Toronto's Top Employers
• Canada's Greenest Employers
• Canada's Top Employers for Young People

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How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

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About the job

• Participate in the planning, design, implementation and facilitation of institutional recreation programs and special events
• Recommend changes to improve existing programs and events
• Provide instruction including lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in recreational activities
• Arrange for facilities, equipment, and materials required for recreational activities
• Ensure security, control, and safety standards are maintained while organizing, coordinating, leading and implementing individual or group recreational activities
• Prepare incident/occurrence, accident and injury, and any other applicable reports
• Other duties, as assigned

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What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• You have current First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Heartsaver certificates OR you are willing and able to obtain certification upon offer

Specialized Knowledge and Experience

• You have experience facilitating a variety of recreational programs as well as knowledge of kinesiology, physical education, or recreation leadership
• You have experience instructing and guiding participants in physical, social, cultural and/or education recreation activities
• You have basic understanding of the correctional system and environment in order to design and plan recreational programs and activities to meet the needs of inmates
• You can acquire knowledge of and apply relevant legislation, regulations, institutional policies, and procedures in order to ensure the safety and security of participants during recreation activities

Communication, Interpersonal, and Supervisory Skills

• You have demonstrated supervisory skills and can clearly and effectively provide information and instruction to participants
• You have influencing skills to encourage inmates to participate in scheduled recreational activities as well as knowledge of motivational and counselling techniques
• You have knowledge of verbal diffusing techniques and can handle behavioural problems and altercations
• You have writing skills and proficiency with computer software to prepare routine reports and activity schedules

Analytical and Evaluation Skills

• You can participate in the design and implementation of recreation program content, including the selection of required equipment/material
• You have planning skills to ensure resources and facilities are available for recreational activities
• You have arithmetic skills to maintain accurate offender counts and equipment inventory

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Additional information:

Note:

• In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.
  
  Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, Talent and Leadership Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you.
  
  A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's employment screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.
• At this time, all employees working in congregate living settings are required to provide proof they are fully vaccinated, meaning they are fully vaccinated as defined by the Ministry of Health (refer to: COVID-19 Fully Vaccinated Status in Ontario), including 14 calendar days have passed since receiving their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  
  Employees who do not provide proof of full vaccination will be deemed ‘not vaccinated' under the Employer's policy and will be required to attend a vaccine education program, as determined by the Employer. Employees who are not vaccinated under the policy with a valid medical exemption will not be required to attend a vaccine education program. All employees working in congregate living settings must undergo regular rapid antigen testing, regardless of vaccination status.

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Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.