Recreation Specialist I - Autism Center

Join us at Pathlight Group's Autism Center as a full-time Recreations Specialist to Create & Plan Recreation and Social opportunities for families and individuals to connect with each other and the communities they live in by creating, planning, updating and coordinating events designed for individuals with Autism or other intellectual & developmental disabilities!

THE AUTISM CENTER

Supports families who have a member with a disability and/or autism by providing training, information, family contact, referrals to other services; conduct interest and social skills inventories; plan and deliver a variety of social and recreation program and opportunities; Creates recreation and group opportunities in the communities of Western Massachusetts; Educates the community regarding disabilities and/or autism; Offers SME training for Pathlight employees as well as external professionals.

The Responsibilities can be described as - Identifying inclusive recreational and event ideas for families, individuals and interested community members (what, where, who, when, why, how); Planning them; Communicating plans; planning promotion of events; resourcing events, supervising or attending; after event review. It's been done before here - and plans, patterns and resources information are available, and some are already scheduled - we have project staff and communication staff. Some are just small regular groups. We have gaming groups and resources. There are funds and desire for more. We have people throughout our different programs to chaperone, transport and help supervise as required. We have a special facility here and partner locations in different communities throughout Western Mass. We do both Physical and virtual events / groups.

1. Plan and execute a variety of recreation groups/opportunities throughout Western Mass in accordance with: ARPA Recreation goals and Center Recreation RFR Requirements
   Larger quarterly events
   Silent dance
   Holiday party
   Family Picnic
   Others as identified.
   Work with larger team of Autism Connections and Family Support to ensure proper team support for events.
2. Communicate with colleagues, families and individuals to gauge interest for current/future activities/groups. Adapt activities/groups as necessary. Regular communication with colleagues, families/individuals and related entities in and effort to plan, promote coordinate and trouble-shoot related groups/activities.
3. Collaborate and plan with various vendors/agencies/companies across Western Massachusetts to create new opportunities for groups/activities, specifically focused on supporting and promoting families/individuals' participation in community inclusion.
4. Create, update and expand community network in Western Massachusetts to broaden group/activity options.
5. This position is for the Autism Center and all help present pre-established Autism training information to varying audiences of parents, professionals, educators and related professionals.
6. Within timeline, ensure groups/activities are planned and necessary promotional information is conveyed, to ensure timely promotion for families/individuals.
7. Assist Program Manager as requested, to help meet programmatic and planning needs.
8. Remain up to date on related trends via related websites, newsletters, emails and related materials.

Knowledge and Experience Required:

Have you been a community organizer, league manager, camp director, recreation planner, lesson planner, group instructor, performance producer, social event organizer? You may have the experience we are looking for!

1. Broad knowledge of a discipline involving the use of a broad theoretical knowledge equal to a complete 4-year college education or equivalent work experience.

2. 1-3 years direct experience working with families or individuals with disabilities.

3. Knowledge of disability support services.

4. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation/vehicle required.

Skills and Abilities Required:

1. Must be able to maintain regular attendance.

2. Wide variety of duties requiring a general knowledge of related organizational policies and procedures and their application to cases not previously covered. Duties require considerable judgment to work independently toward general results, to devise new or modify existing methods, techniques or procedures to meet requirements and to make related decisions controlled by precedent and within limits of established policy.

3. Work with confidential data that if disclosed, could have significant internal effect or minor external effect.

4. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft office (Word, Outlook & Excel), communication platforms such as zoom or webex, health record or other database.

5. Outside and/or inside contacts involving carrying out organization policy or programs and influencing others where improper handling will have a marked effect on results. Considerable tact required.

Mental Attention or Visual Demand: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and peripheral vision; reading of written, printed or computer screen data. In addition, the ability to:

· Fully focus and concentrate on the task at hand.

· Demonstrate decision making; considerable judgment.

· Maintain a calm, composed manner.

· Calmly and effectively communicate with individuals and families.

· Work with unexpected disruptions.

· Redirect individuals served appropriately to maintain safety for self and others.

· Actively listen and communicate clearly with staff and others.

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Usual office working conditions; exposure to weather during travel; exposure to site conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but at times loud.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Rarely lifting/transferring person with or without assistance of co-worker with or without mechanical lift

· Occasionally lift and/or move up to or greater than 60 pounds

· Occasional twisting, bending, squatting with full use of arms/legs

· Potential stooping, kneeling

· Reaching above shoulder level

· Potential prolonged standing throughout shift

· Work requiring depth perception

· Potential to engage in activity with individual on the floor

· Ability to get up off the floor

· Rarely use restraints: conduct physical restraints with individuals served Restraints require: repetitive bending/twisting using right/left hands/arms, ability to maintain physical position up to 10 minutes

· Driving personal vehicle and/or company van

Reporting Relationships:

Reports to Program Manager