Recreation Assistant

Job Details
Job Location:    Main Campus - San Diego, CA
Position Type:    Full Time
Education Level:    High School
Salary Range:    $ $22.25 Hourly
Travel Percentage:    None
Job Shift:    Day
Job Category:    Behavioral Health Support Staff

Description

By joining the San Diego Center for Children, you will empower children and families through transformative mental health care and educational services.  Our vision is to inspire a world where children and families live joyful, healthy lives.  We serve over 1,000 people every day - are you ready to make an impact?  

Join us - and work with purpose  

POSITION BENEFITS

• Team-oriented, multidisciplinary approach
• Ongoing, high-level learning and development opportunities 
• Culturally diverse environment 
• Joint Commission Accredited Organization 
• Comprehensive Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision, pet)
• Retirement savings plan: 403(b) - with employer match up to 3%
• Generous paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)
• Wellness programs
• EAP - Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts for those pursuing a higher education
• Employee discounts
• Employee recognition program
• Opportunities for career advancement
• May be eligible for state or federal loan forgiveness programs for work with underserved populations
• All offsite programs have a bonus structure

SUMMARY

The Recreation Assistant is responsible for designing and implementing a developmentally appropriate physical education curriculum that promotes physical fitness, social skills, and overall well-being for students at the San Diego Center for Children Residential Programs. This position supports students/youth with diverse needs, including emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges, by incorporating trauma-informed and inclusive practices into PE instruction. The position may require working evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Available Shift:

Tuesday: 12:00pm-8:00pm

Wednesday: 11:00am-7:00pm

Thursday: 10:00am-6:00pm

Friday: 10:30am-6:30pm

Saturday: 10:00am-6:00pm

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Curriculum Development and Implementation:

• Develop and deliver a structured PE program/recreation activities that aligns with state/program standards and the individual needs of students/youth
• Incorporate activities that promote physical fitness, teamwork, and positive social interactions
• Adapt lesson plans to accommodate students with physical, emotional, or behavioral challenges

Student/Youth Engagement and Instruction:

• Provide direct instruction in physical education, health, and wellness
• Foster an inclusive environment where all students can participate and feel successful
• Implement strategies to de-escalate conflicts and manage behaviors in a supportive and trauma-informed manner

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with classroom teachers, therapists, and other staff to integrate physical education  goals into students overall learning plans
• Provide input for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and attend related meetings as needed
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with students, parents, and staff regarding progress and expectations
• Provides information/input related to treatment planning, consults with mental health therapist and clinical team as appropriate regarding youth needs and involvement in recreation program

Safety and Supervision:

• Ensure all PE activities are conducted in a safe manner, with appropriate supervision and equipment
• Provide first aid or emergency care as needed and adhere to the organization's safety protocols
• San Diego Center for Children may redeploy staff as needed to ensure operational needs are meet for the safety of our organization, youth, and staff
• This position requires driving the students/youth

Residential Responsibilities:

• During school breaks or after school hours the Recreation Assistant will provide recreation support for Residential Programs
• Assist with planning, organizing, implementing, and documenting recreation activities
• Assists in the assessment of clients' recreational needs
• Assist the Recreation Manager in developing/modifying the recreation program
• Implement activity programming according to schedule. Assist consultants and volunteers as needed
• Acts as liaison with counselors and SDCC Academy Staff. Communicates on an ongoing basis to determine the most appropriate activity program consistent with client/student needs
• Maintains recreation equipment in good working order. Notifies Supervisor of need for repair
• Maintains orderliness of supplies and facilities. Inform supervisor of supplies needed on a monthly basis
• Provides information/input related to treatment planning, consults with Program Therapist as appropriate regarding clients/Student needs and involvement in the recreation program
• Maintain knowledge of counselor responsibilities and duties, along with training
• Perform special projects, assignments, and other related duties as required
• Immediately reports any unsafe acts, conditions or accidents in their department and or organization to immediate supervisor

Professional Development and Training:

• Stay current on best practices in physical education and trauma-informed care
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development as required by the San Diego Center for Children

Leadership and Mentorship:

• Serve as a role model and mentor for other aides, offering guidance, coaching, and feedback
• Assist in training new Behavioral and Academic Aides/ RSS on school policies, procedures, and best practices
• Facilitate communication between aides and classroom teachers to ensure consistent support for students

Documentation and Communication:

• Record and maintain accurate data related to student behavior and academic progress
• Communicate regularly with teachers, RSS, BAAs, and administrators regarding student progress and any challenges
• Participate in team meetings and provide insights to develop effective student interventions
• Maintain accurate and detailed session notes, data collection logs, and progress reports
• Submit documentation in compliance with organizational and ethical guidelines

Crisis Intervention:

• Respond promptly and effectively to behavioral crises, following school/RTC protocols and utilizing de-escalation strategies
• Assist in implementing Safe and Positive Approaches (SPA) techniques when necessary

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deal with several abstracts and concrete variables.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to run, walk, sit and drive a vehicle. The employee must be able to move and/or lift a child when clinically necessary and must be able to follow a child that AWOLs at walking or running pace. Applying SPA restraint techniques can involve lifting the child, holding the child down in a standing, sitting, or ground level manner, as well separating clients who are acting in an unsafe manner to ensure the safety of the clients and staff. Due to the emotional instability of the clients, the employee may be subject

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ON THE JOB MANDATORY ONGOING CERTIFICATION TRAINING

• Maintain all certifications and licenses required for the role, ensuring they remain current
• Complete and stay up-to-date with all mandatory trainings as specified by the San Diego Center for Children, including but not limited to: Residential Counselor Training, Intervention Toolbox, CPR and First Aid Certification S.P.A. Certification, False Claims, HIPAA, Safety, Trauma Informed Care, Annual Block Trainings as assigned. Any trainings assigned

DIVERSITY STATEMENT 

The San Diego Center for Children is committed to: 

• Actively recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse staff at all levels of the organization
• Ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in the development and implementation of policies, practices and services, and that individuals feel empowered to advance our mission within an atmosphere of trust, safety, and respect
• Encourage and provide access to professional development in order to deliver equitable and culturally informed services to the population we serve. 

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High School diploma or GED
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation and must be 21 years of age or older

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in physical education, psychology, social work, education, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Familiarity with evidence-based practices, such as Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, or Positive Youth Development
• Experience working with special education populations or youth with behav

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