Recreation Therapist

Role Responsibilities

As a Recreation Therapist, you will design, implement, and evaluate recreation programs that support youth in developing healthy leisure interests, social skills, and coping strategies. You’ll work collaboratively with Child and Youth Care (CYC) staff, clinical team members, families, and community partners to ensure recreational experiences contribute meaningfully to each youth’s care plan and overall well being.

This role offers variety, creativity, and the opportunity to make a profound impact on young people’s lives.

What You’ll Do:

Program Planning & Delivery

• Develop and implement weekly and monthly recreation programs such as photography, drama, sports, crafts, scrapbooking, and adventure based activities.
• Facilitate annual specialized outings (e.g., canoe trips, outdoor excursions).
  
  

Assessment & Care Planning

• Complete recreation assessments for youth within their first 30 days.
• Provide recommendations to multidisciplinary care teams and participate in case conferences.
• Adapt programming based on each youth’s needs, interests, and goals.

Administration & Facility Support

• Track program participation and ensure youth meet weekly recreation commitments.
• Maintain program equipment, recreation spaces, and activity related budgets.

Community Liaison

• Maintain up to date information on community recreation resources, programming, and facility access.
• Support youth in accessing programs such as the City of Edmonton’s Leisure Access Pass.
• Build strong relationships with community organizations, camps, and recreation service providers.

Supervision & Mentorship

• Support and mentor practicum students and volunteers working within recreation services.
• Conduct quarterly pool in service training for staff and volunteers.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:  https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Agility:  You adjust your approach when working with youth who have complex emotional and behavioral needs and adapt programs as situations evolve. You can respond quickly to safety concerns, shifting priorities, and dynamic group environments.
• Creative Problem Solving:  You develop therapeutic recreation programs that meet both individual and group needs, using innovative methods including experiential and adventure based learning. You assess challenges and create solutions that support youth growth, coping, and skill development.
• Drive for Results:  You ensure youth have the opportunity to participate in recreation activities weekly, maintain accurate program data, meet reporting and budget timelines, and deliver programming that meaningfully supports each youth’s care plan and treatment goals.
• Develop Self and Others:  You also engage in continuous learning in areas like trauma informed care, outdoor programming, and therapeutic recreation practice.
• Build Collaborative Environments:  You work closely with multidisciplinary care teams—including CYC staff, psychologists, teachers, addiction counsellors and transition and connection staff—to support coordinated care for each youth. You also build strong relationships with community organizations and recreation service providers.
• Systems Thinking:  You understand how recreation programs contribute to broader treatment plans, safety practices, accreditation standards, and community partnerships. Your decisions consider both immediate and long term impacts on youth outcomes and program quality.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Required: Post secondary degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Recreation Therapy, Physical Education, or a related field; or a Recreation Therapy diploma with at least two years of experience supporting youth with trauma related challenges.

Preference will be given to those who have:

• Experience delivering recreation services to youth ages 12–18 who experience emotional and behavioral challenges.
• Knowledge of leisure education, community recreation resources, experiential education, and Adventure-Based Counselling.
• Strong skills in planning, problem solving, group facilitation, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication.
• Experience with therapeutic interventions such as art and physical activity.
• Ability to work collaboratively in trauma-informed, multidisciplinary environments.
• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

Certifications Assets:

• National Lifeguard Service (NLS)
• Current First Aid/CPR
• Valid Driver’s License (Required)
• Wilderness First Aid, Bronze Cross, outdoor recreation experience (canoeing, backpacking, skiing)
• Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) professional membership 

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This position works 38.75 hours per week.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.)

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.