Job Announcement

Performs highly skilled work with individuals with disabilities and at-risk youth. Oversees the daily operations of the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Business Area. Directs and guides the work of the full-time employees and exempt-limited term staff in the provision of the therapeutic recreation services. Directs and monitors the planning, coordination, administration, safety and evaluation of all TR countywide programs. Coaches, trains, and supervises merit staff and completes performance reviews. Authorizes staff hours and coordinates work schedules. Coordinates facility scheduling and transportation. Oversees the development and implementation of community outreach plans to target gaps in service, to increase overall participation in programs, and to ensure the resolution of community concerns and customer complaints. Participates in the development of short and long-term goals, operating objectives, strategies and implementation plans, and submits recommendations for improved service delivery. Identifies and establishes collaborative partnerships with community based organizations, schools, other county agencies, businesses and non-profits to develop programs that support agency and county initiatives. Assumes supervisor on-duty responsibilities for handling weekend and evening program problems. Prepares, reviews, and evaluates financial, program and administrative reports to analyze current practices and trends. Monitors the program statistics, measures, and best practices to ensure programs continue to meet community and participant needs. Aligns business area work with agency mission and vision, as well as the county focus areas and goals. Oversees implementation of business area and agency policy and operational procedures. Monitors best practices and quality assurance standards for the business area. Serves as the agency's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) representative. Works with the Therapeutic Recreation Advisory Council. Performs other work as assigned.

Note: The salary will not exceed the midpoint ($84,283.89) of the advertised salary range.

Illustrative Duties

General

• Plans, schedules, and evaluates the work of subordinate staff and ensures the availability of training and professional development programs;
• Compiles and monitors the annual budget for the assigned unit and develops quarterly target projections and budget plans;
• Researches and develops program standards that comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, that meet industry standards, and that assure participant safety;
• Researches, develops and analyzes consumer needs, interests, and resources through a variety of assessment tools to determine appropriate instructional opportunities and leisure activities;
• Oversees the development and implementation of community outreach plans to target underserved populations, to increase overall participation in programs, and to ensure the resolution of community concerns and customer complaints;
• Prepares, reviews, and evaluates financial and administrative reports to analyze current practices and trends and initiates actions to maximize site use and revenue;
• Authorizes the procurement of required items or services;
• Inspects, reports, and resolves encroachments with citizens and appropriate staff;
• Ensures that all required certificates, licenses, and permits are current and posted.

Operations

• Provides technical support and advice on the integration of persons with disabilities into general recreation programs;
• Oversees and conducts training programs to sensitize agency staff to the needs of people with disabilities and provides specialized training to instructors working with people with disabilities;
• Reviews facility plans to assure accessible design, construction, and makes recommendations to ensure compliance with ADA and other regulations.

Programming

• Plans, organizes, and coordinates field trips, County-wide tournaments, dances, picnics, family outings, and other events;
• Designs, plans, promotes, and supervises recreation program delivery through classes, camps, tours, workshops, and clubs at community centers, schools, trips, tournaments, family outings, and other recreational areas;
• Coordinates recreation programs with other public and private agencies’ programs.

Management

• Surveys potential new facilities, coordinates the scheduling of facilities with school administrative personnel, and resolves usage problems;
• Reviews and approves all client service plans, determines appropriate treatment protocols, and ensures other related participant documentation (assessments, progress notations) is completed according to agency standards;
• Participates in interdisciplinary human service planning teams;
• Ensures completion the Division’s license applications to operate programs and compliance with governing regulations;
• Develops and supports ongoing collaborative relationships with County agencies and other community-based agencies in order to identify service delivery needs, identify and develop community resources and coordinate efforts to meet those needs.
• Develops a regional communication network to share and exchange information on regional issues and trends.
• Identifies and establishes collaborative partners hips with community leaders, schools, agencies, businesses and non-profits to develop programs that support agency initiatives.
• Manages group processes through facilitation, conflict resolution, mediation, consensus building and leadership development.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of financial management controls relating to accounting and budgeting;
• Knowledge of group work methods;
• Knowledge of various athletics, arts and crafts, drama, group activities and day camps;
• Ability to motivate, supervise, and evaluate staff and to develop and implement staff training programs;
• Ability to schedule, coordinate, and prioritize the work of a diverse groups of employees;
• Ability to analyze programs and procedures and evaluate their performance against established objectives;
• Ability to prepare clear and concise financial, administrative, and operational reports;
• Ability to prepare and adhere to budgets;
• Ability to use a personal computer, applicable software, and peripheral equipment;
• Ability to obtain support of leaders and participants for programming implementation;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, citizen groups, and the public;
• Knowledge of the various theories of human development;
• Knowledge of the specific limitations associated with various disabilities;
• Knowledge of general medical and psychiatric terminology;
• Knowledge of OSHA/Universal precaution standards;
• Knowledge of legislation and design standards for persons with disabilities.
• If assigned to teen/senior positions:
• Knowledge of the various theories of human development;
• Knowledge of youth-related risk factor s and early identification criteria. If assigned to regional coordination positions:
• Knowledge of principles, practices, tools and techniques of team-based management- facilitation, consensus decision-making, conflict resolution;
• Knowledge of principles, practices, tools and techniques of community building and planning.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and park management, therapeutic recreation, business administration/management, public administration, or a closely related field.;
Plus four years of progressively responsible experience in park management or multi-faceted recreation center management providing a variety of recreation programs in the area of assignment; two years of the required experience must have included supervisory duties.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications within 90 days of appointment;
• Certification with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation (NCTRC) as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), within one year of appointment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer. Must provide proof of negative TB test within past year.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in recreation or therapeutic recreation is highly preferred.
• Experience working with therapeutic recreation programs for individuals with disabilities; and making oral presentations to groups.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of benefit-based recreation and/or therapeutic recreation; safety and prevention procedures; the risk factors associated with individuals with disabilities.
• Experience in developing activities and service strategies to achieve desired community outcomes; developing community partnerships and collaborations; communicating effectively; and supervising and coaching employees.
• Current certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is generally sedentary in nature. Ability to do some walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds; operate keyboard-driven equipment; and communicate verbally and in writing. Sufficiently mobile to attend meetings at various locations and make presentations to county staff and community. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or status as a veteran in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.