Recreation Specialist

Recreation Specialist

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City's evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards the smallest jail system possible without compromising public safety. The DOC is solely responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff, visitors, volunteers, and people in custody inside our jails. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to providing people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with over 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledge experts. The DOC seeks to recruit Recreation Specialists that will assist with the development and implementation of appropriate Enhanced Recreation activities. Selected candidates will participate in organized group activities that develop positive group dynamics, while productively occupying persons in custody with activities of interest. Under supervision of Recreation Supervisor, these Recreation Specialists will be responsible for following:

• Conduct Enhanced Recreational programming for men and women in the Department's care and custody, on housing units and in communal spaces, in city jail facilities (including but not limited to facilitating sports and games, movement, fitness and conditioning, basketball and other tournaments) and engagement strategies for people in custody;
• Build the DOC capacity to provide Enhanced Recreational programming by determining the needs of targeted groups, presenting programming ideas, and encouraging people in custody to engage in organized activities, which contribute to increased health and wellness, decreased stress and promote teamwork and collaboration;
• Assist leadership in identifying and connecting with additional community partners;
• Conduct periodic inspections of equipment, materials, and facilities;
• Complete and input daily data collection of the enhanced recreation programming;
• Participate in supervision (individual and team) as scheduled, and complete assigned trainings as required;
• Assist with special projects as needed and perform related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by 24 credits in recreation, physical education, dance, applied arts (including therapy), group work, group dynamics, and community organization, at least 18 credits of which must be in recreation, physical education, dance, and applied arts (including therapy); or 2. An associate degree from an accredited college plus one year of full-time paid experience in planning, coordinating and supervising recreation programs; or 3. A high school degree, or its equivalent plus three years of full-time paid experience in planning, coordinating and supervising recreation programs; or 4. A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience. College education leading to a degree may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of 30 credits for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience or 24 credits in recreation, physical education, dance, fine arts, applied arts (including therapy), group work, group dynamics, and community organization, at least 18 credits of which must be in recreation, physical education, dance, fine arts and applied arts (including therapy).

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.