Recreation & Adventure Specialist

Purpose
The Recreation and Adventure Specialist at Heritage is responsible for designing and delivering structured, trauma-informed recreation experiences that support students' emotional regulation, social development, and therapeutic progress. This role provides direct supervision and mentoring through recreational and adventure-based programming while modeling healthy coping strategies, appropriate boundaries, and positive engagement. The Specialist plays a critical role in reinforcing treatment objectives, reducing student dysregulation, and creating opportunities for meaningful connection through movement, challenge, and team-based activities.

Core Expectations
Design & Facilitate Therapeutic Recreation
Plan, implement, and lead structured recreation and adventure-based sessions rooted in recreational therapy principles. Activities should align with treatment goals, support emotional regulation, and promote pro-social engagement.

Build Therapeutic Relationships
Establish consistent, professional relationships with students that model healthy boundaries, foster trust, and contribute to a trauma-informed environment. Use activities as a platform for emotional support and behavioral coaching.

Integrate with Treatment Plans
Design interventions that reflect individual treatment needs and goals. Adjust programming to match student readiness, and collaborate with clinical staff to ensure alignment with therapeutic strategies.

Promote Safety & Manage Risk
Conduct ongoing risk assessments during all recreation activities. Ensure physical and emotional safety through clear structure, proactive supervision, and trauma-informed behavior management.

Document Clinical Impact
Complete timely and clinically relevant documentation, including daily progress notes, group summaries, and initial recreational assessments. Report behavioral trends and therapeutic observations to the Treatment Team.

Collaborate Across Disciplines
Maintain open communication with Coaches, Therapists, Residential Staff, Academic Team Members, and Nursing Staff to provide integrated care. Attend Treatment Team meetings and contribute meaningful input regarding student progress.

Demonstrate Professional Standards
Uphold Heritage's code of conduct and clinical expectations. Model accountability, professionalism, and therapeutic presence in all interactions. Participate in required training and contribute to a culture of clinical excellence.

Disclaimer
This job description is intended to convey essential information about the scope and expectations of the role. It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions. Duties may be modified, reassigned, or added at any time, with or without notice, as dictated by the needs of The Heritage Community. This document does not constitute a contract or guarantee of employment and does not alter the at-will employment relationship. Employment with The Heritage Community is at-will and may be terminated at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.

The Heritage Community provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions through an interactive process, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. The Heritage Community is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination in all employment practices-including hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, and benefits-based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Qualifications

• Actively pursuing or eligible for a Utah Recreational Therapy License and CTRS certification (preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to design and lead therapeutic recreation sessions aligned with clinical goals and treatment plans.
• Experience working directly with adolescents in a therapeutic, residential, or behavioral health setting.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, emotional regulation techniques, and group facilitation principles.
• Proficiency in documenting clinical observations and outcomes using electronic health records or treatment notes.
• Capable of conducting risk assessments and managing group safety during high-engagement activities.
• Effective collaboration skills with multidisciplinary teams, including clinicians, residential staff, and academic personnel.
• Must be at least 21 years old, with the physical ability to lead recreation activities, including lifting up to 50 lbs and navigating uneven terrain.
• Clean driving record (no more than one moving violation in the past three years) required for fleet vehicle authorization.
• Must meet all pre-employment requirements, including background check, reference verification, and regulatory clearances.

Core Competencies
These core competencies mirror the "Core Expectations" above and reflect key performance areas for the role:

• Design & Facilitate Therapeutic Recreation Deliver structured sessions that promote therapeutic outcomes through movement, challenge, and social interaction.
• Build Therapeutic Relationships Foster safe, trust-based connections with students while maintaining clear, professional boundaries.
• Integrate with Treatment Plans Align programming with individualized clinical goals and collaborate with treatment team members.
• Promote Safety & Manage Risk Maintain emotional and physical safety through intentional structure, supervision, and proactive risk management.
• Document Clinical Impact Accurately document sessions, behavioral trends, and clinical observations for interdisciplinary use.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines Engage regularly with cross-functional teams to ensure coordinated and consistent care.
• Demonstrate Professional Standards Uphold ethical practices and Heritage's values while modeling accountability and therapeutic presence.

Physical Requirements
This position requires a high level of physical activity and mobility in both indoor and outdoor environments, including rugged and variable terrain. Employees must be able to:

• Stand, walk, hike, and engage in physically demanding activities for extended periods.
• Lift, carry, and transport recreational gear or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Participate in and model safe behavior during activities such as hiking, camping, biking, climbing, and other adventure-based experiences.
• Navigate uneven surfaces, trails, and outdoor environments in all weather conditions.
• Assist with setup and takedown of equipment, group activities, and therapeutic environments.
• Respond quickly and physically to behavioral escalations or safety concerns, including positioning or supporting students as needed.

Employees must also demonstrate emotional and physical resilience, maintaining composure and therapeutic presence in high-stress, unpredictable, and emotionally intense situations involving students in acute mental health crises.

Work Environment
This position operates in a dynamic and physically active setting-both indoors and outdoors-across the residential treatment campus and off-site locations. Activities include group recreation, experiential therapy, and adventure-based outings such as hiking, camping, and other physical excursions.

The role involves exposure to varying weather conditions, rugged terrain, and recreational equipment. Staff must be able to lift and carry gear, remain on their feet for extended periods, and actively participate in physical activities alongside students.

As part of a residential treatment center, employees frequently engage with students experiencing acute mental health crises. Emotional resilience, sound judgment, and the ability to maintain composure and therapeutic boundaries during high-stress situations are essential. Recreation Therapists are expected to model healthy coping strategies, teamwork, and safety awareness while delivering impactful, trauma-informed therapeutic experiences.

Supervisory Responsibilities
This position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities. However, the Recreation and Adventure Specialist may provide training or guidance to peers or new team members within their area of expertise. The role requires strong collaboration, clear communication, and a commitment to supporting team success. Employees in this role are expected to model professionalism, uphold organizational values, and contribute to a positive and productive work environment.

We are committed to providing a safe and secure work environment for all employees. As a result, all new hires are required to successfully complete a background check, which may include verification of employment history, education, and criminal records.

Salary : $60,000 - $80,000