Recreational Specialist

Recreation Specialist – Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF)

Hamden, CT | Full-Time | Exempt

Shape Brighter Futures Through Therapeutic Recreation

The Children's Center of Hamden is seeking a passionate and creative Recreation Specialist to join our Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF). In this role, you'll design and facilitate therapeutic recreation experiences that help children build emotional regulation, social skills, confidence, resilience, and healthy leisure habits. Through engaging individual, small group, and large group activities, you'll create meaningful opportunities that support each child's individualized treatment goals while promoting physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Working collaboratively with our Recreation Supervisor, Cottage Managers, Direct Care team, and multidisciplinary treatment team, you'll play a vital role in helping children discover their strengths, develop new skills, and experience success through recreation.

Why Join Us?

At The Children's Center of Hamden, you'll be part of a collaborative, mission-driven team where recreation is recognized as an essential component of treatment. We provide the support, resources, and professional development you need to make a meaningful impact every day.

Make a Difference Every Day – Help children develop coping skills, confidence, social connections, and healthy leisure interests through therapeutic recreation.

Collaborative Treatment Team – Partner with clinicians, Direct Care staff, Cottage Managers, and other professionals to support individualized treatment goals.

Variety in Your Day – Facilitate activities in recreation spaces, cottages, outdoor environments, and approved community outings that keep every day engaging and rewarding.

Professional Growth & Training – Receive ongoing training, mentorship, certification opportunities, and professional development to strengthen your therapeutic recreation skills.

Comprehensive Benefits – Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and wellness programs. On one of our medical plan options, The Children's Center covers 90% of the employee premium and contributes to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), making quality healthcare affordable and accessible.

Retirement & Financial Security – Access to a 403(b) retirement savings plan and Social Security benefits to help you build a secure future.

Generous Paid Time Off – Enjoy vacation, sick, and personal time to support a healthy work-life balance.

Mission-Driven Culture – Join a compassionate organization committed to helping children heal, grow, and thrive.

What You'll Do

As a Recreation Specialist, you will:

• Plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation activities that support individualized treatment goals.
• Assess each child's recreational interests, strengths, abilities, and developmental needs.
• Facilitate engaging recreational activities through individual, small group, and large group programming.
• Provide leadership and coaching to Direct Care staff in the planning and facilitation of therapeutic recreation activities.
• Educate staff on the therapeutic purpose of recreational interventions and strategies that maximize each child's participation and success.
• Gather feedback from staff regarding children's participation and use that information to strengthen future programming.
• Coordinate and supervise approved community recreation outings in accordance with agency policies and treatment plans.
• Maintain accurate documentation and complete required records within established timeframes.
• Collaborate with the Recreation Supervisor to maintain recreational supplies, equipment, and program resources.
• Ensure recreational environments and equipment remain safe, organized, and well maintained.
• Promote a safe therapeutic environment by maintaining required certifications, participating in mandatory trainings, and following agency policies and procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries and contribute to an inclusive, welcoming environment for children, families, and colleagues.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, Parks and Recreation, Child Development, Psychology, Education, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent experience working with children or adolescents in a therapeutic, behavioral health, or residential setting may be considered.
• Experience facilitating recreational, educational, or therapeutic activities with youth preferred.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills.
• Ability to motivate, engage, and positively support children with diverse behavioral and emotional needs.
• Commitment to providing trauma-informed, strengths-based, and child-centered care.

• Valid Connecticut Driver's License with a safe driving record required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI/CCG) certification.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to perform physical tasks including standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing, lifting up to 50 pounds, and occasional lifting over 50 pounds with assistance as appropriate.
• Ability to actively participate in recreational activities both indoors and outdoors.
• Ability to supervise and safely transport children during approved community outings.
• Frequent pushing, pulling, repetitive motion, and other physical activity associated with recreation programming.
• Potential exposure to bodily fluids, waste, and other environmental conditions common in residential treatment settings.

Join Our Team

If you're passionate about helping children heal through recreation, building meaningful relationships, and creating opportunities for growth, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and become part of a team that's changing lives through therapeutic recreation.

The Children's Center of Hamden is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.