MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates must be in title, eligible for transfer, or reachable on the current Civil Service Eligible List. Other candidates must have either:
1. a bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation;
Or 2. a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Physical Education or Adaptive Physical Education AND one year of experience in planning and administering a therapeutic recreation program* which involved developing and coordinating therapeutic recreational activities for geriatric patients/residents, individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with psychiatric disabilities, individuals that are physically challenged, or individuals in treatment for chemical dependency;
Or 3. current credentials as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), 7 Elmwood Drive, New City, NY 10956. For further information you may contact them at (845) 639-1439 or at www.NCTRC.org
Or 4. current licensure by NYS as a Creative Arts Therapist. For information about licensure, visit www.op.nysed.gov or call (518) 474-3817.
* A therapeutic recreation program is defined as a professional service that assists people with disabilities and other limitations to have a leisure lifestyle that encompasses functional independence, health and well-being through treatment, education and participation. Therapeutic recreation is practiced in clinical, community and residential treatment settings.
** Note the concentration of your degree in Creative Arts Therapy on your application.
*** This experience must involve development and coordination of recreational activities for geriatric patients/residents, individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with psychiatric disabilities, individuals who are physically challenged, or individuals in treatment for chemical dependency. This experience must utilize the creative therapies of art, dance or music as a psychotherapeutic means of achieving in these individuals’ emotional growth and increased levels of functioning.
Duties Description Will require flexibility including required evening and weekend hours to provide inclusion/recreation opportunities.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The person in this position will ensure the provision of therapeutic and rehabilitative recreation programs, enhancing the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals served. They will develop, implement, direct, and evaluate recreational activities and programs, including but not limited to competitive and non-competitive sports, arts, crafts, club activities, shows, holiday programs, and cultural activities.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Function as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team as a Recreation Therapist.
• Deliver a variety of recreation activities for individuals and/or groups, and adapt activities to adjust to the function level, physical ability, and/or rehabilitative and clinical needs of participants.
• Ensure that delivered recreation activities follow recreation department policies and procedures.
• Coordinate recreational activities with external parties to provide additional opportunities for assigned individuals and/or groups.
• Write and submit detailed activities reports and participant progress notes to upper-level staff for recreation therapy activities.
• Observe and record individuals’ participation, reactions, behavioral patterns, and progress over the course of recreational programming, and report changes to treatment team.
• Recommend new activities to address the recreational needs of individuals and/or groups.
• Order and maintain recreation supplies and equipment for assigned activities.
• Attend recreation department and/or treatment team meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nys-office-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities/posts/?feedView #LI-KT1
Additional Comments Additional Comments:
• If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.
• For CSEA positions: Local Bidding Agreements will be honored.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.
• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.
• If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice
• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA). If an employee believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the NYS OPWDD Workforce and Talent Management Central Office at (518) 473-4785 or Email at accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.
• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
NYS offers Incredible Benefits!
Paid Holidays and Leave
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
• Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
• Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.
Health Care Coverage
Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.
Retirement Program
Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.
Professional Development and Education and Training
NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://goer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.
Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.
• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Broome DDSOO Human Resources Office
Telephone 6072404786
Fax 607-770-0528
Email Address opwdd.broome.jobs@opwdd.ny.gov
Address
Street 249 Glenwood Rd
City Binghamton
State NY
Zip Code 13905
Notes on Applying Submit Response to Posting form, cover letter, and résumé by October 27, 2023, to:
Broome DDSOO Human Resources Office
249 Glenwood Road
Binghamton, NY 13905
E-Mail: opwdd.broome.jobs@opwdd.ny.gov
Fax: 607-770-0528
Please reference the above EOA #231027B in all correspondence.