$4,027.00 - $5,398.00 Monthly

Recreation & Athletics Specialist 2 (RAS2) – Aberdeen

Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Aberdeen, WA
고용형태: Full Time - Permanent

SeattleKR Job Analysis

Recreation & Athletics Specialist 2 (RAS2) - Aberdeen

Key Skills and Qualifications

Technical Skills

Implement therapeutic recreation activities
Assess residents' therapeutic recreation needs
Apply intervention techniques for social, cognitive, emotional, and physical development
Promote sports safety protocols
Train staff in therapeutic recreation programs
Develop and present in-service training
Maintain recreational program documentation
Manage and repair recreation equipment inventory

Soft Skills

Model pro-social adaptive behavior
Work cooperatively with youth and staff
Communicate effectively with physicians and treatment providers
Demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion
Relate to clients from diverse cultural backgrounds

Qualifications

Associate’s degree in recreation, therapeutic recreation, or related field
1 year of paid professional recreation experience
Experience as Recreation and Athletics Specialist 1
Understanding of adolescent development and juvenile rehabilitation
Knowledge of anatomy, mental illness principles, and recreation therapy equipment
Ability to modify programs for inclusive participation
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles

Physical Requirements

Ability to physically control residents (e.g., subdue, break up fights, apply handcuffs)
Perform crouching, twisting, kneeling, squatting, and defensive tactics

Sample Interview Questions and Answers

Question 1: Describe a specific approach you would use to assess the therapeutic recreation needs of residents in a juvenile rehabilitation facility, and how would you ensure the activities align with their developmental and therapeutic goals?

To assess therapeutic recreation needs, I would conduct individual and group evaluations using tools like the Recreation Therapy Assessment (RTA) to identify residents' physical, emotional, and social needs. I would collaborate with treatment teams, including psychologists and social workers, to align activities with residents' goals. For example, if a resident has anxiety, I might incorporate mindfulness-based activities or low-stress team games. I would also track progress through behavior logs and adjust programs regularly to ensure they remain effective and inclusive.

Question 2: How would you ensure sports safety and risk management during recreational activities for residents with diverse physical and emotional needs?

I would prioritize safety by conducting thorough risk assessments for each activity, ensuring equipment is regularly inspected and maintained, and training staff in proper supervision techniques. For residents with physical limitations, I would modify activities using adaptive equipment or alternative formats, such as wheelchair basketball or seated yoga. For emotional needs, I would implement clear boundaries, de-escalation protocols, and have emergency plans in place, including first-aid trained staff on-site at all times.

Question 3: Can you explain a time when you had to de-escalate a challenging situation involving a resident during a recreational activity, and what strategies did you use to maintain safety and foster positive behavior?

In a previous role, a resident became aggressive during a team sport due to frustration. I immediately used verbal de-escalation techniques, acknowledging their feelings and redirecting them to a quiet area. I then offered a choice between a calming activity, like art, or a brief timeout. After the session, I reviewed the incident with the treatment team to identify triggers and adjusted the activity to include more individualized participation options. This approach reduced recurrence and reinforced respectful behavior.

Original Job Description

Description

Recreation & Athletics Specialist 2 (RAS2) - Aberdeen description image

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community."


Job Title: Recreation & Athletic Specialist 2 (RAS2)
Location: Aberdeen, WA - Harbor Heights
Closes: Until filled
Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday 11 am – 7 pm
Salary: $4,027.00 - $5,398.00 Monthly. The indicated salary does not include a 5% on-site 24/7 facility premium.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for a Recreation and Athletic Specialist 2 (RAS2) to provide, plan, organize, and lead therapeutic recreation activities for residents located at the Juvenile Rehabilitation Harbor Heights in Aberdeen.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
In this role, you will supervise residents' daily living routines and recreational activities, and track, monitor, and direct youth recreational programming. You will model pro-social adaptive behavior while providing safety and security during recreational activities and functions.

Some of what you'll do:
  • Implement day-to-day activities to support youth wellness.
  • Assess the overall therapeutic recreation needs of residents.
  • Implement intervention techniques to facilitate the improvement of social, cognitive, emotional, and physical functional abilities.
  • Promote sports safety.
  • Provide residents with opportunities to adapt to a variety of recreational and community environments.
  • Train staff in the therapeutic recreation program.
  • Develop and present in-services to residents and staff in specialty areas.
  • Perform outreach to the surrounding community, community-based groups, and organizations to network and recruit volunteers for the recreation program.
  • Maintain documentation related to the recreational program and youth behaviors. 
  • Assess, augment, repair, and maintain recreation equipment inventory as the budget allows.

Required Qualifications:
  • Associate’s degree involving major study in either recreation or therapeutic recreation, music, drama, or physical education, or psychology, sociology, or education with a minor in recreation, physical education, music or drama, AND one (1) year of paid professional recreation experience. 
OR
  • One year of experience as a Recreation and Athletics Specialist 1.
OR
  • Equivalent education/experience equaling three (3) years.
AND

Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles.



In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
  • Demonstrated understanding of adolescent development and juvenile rehabilitation practices and principles.
  •  Experience providing therapeutic recreation services.
  • Demonstrated competency in relating to clients from diverse backgrounds and cultural groups.
  • Knowledge of skeletal, muscular, and neuron-anatomy, mental illness principles, equipment of recreation therapy, various methods of provision in the physical, affective, social, and cognitive realms, safety and risk management methods, and assessment and evaluation reporting methods.
  • Ability to assess, plan, provide, evaluate, and modify programs/provisions to allow inclusive participation for individual youth; cooperative skills in working with youth; and maintain professional and working relationships with physicians, other treatment providers, and staff.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
  • A valid Washington state driver’s license is required for this position.
  • Incumbent in this position must participate in and successfully complete the New Employee Academy (NEA) presented by JR Headquarters staffing within the first three months of employment.
  • Incumbent in this position must be able to physically control residents. This may consist of taking residents to the ground, breaking up fights between two or more residents, using various defensive tactic holds, and applying handcuffs. These tasks require the ability to crouch, twist, kneel, squat, and the basic strength necessary to control a resident.
  • Incumbent must successfully complete initial Crisis Management & Intervention Strategies (CMIS) training and annual refreshers requiring demonstration of competency in applying verbal de-escalation and physical control techniques approved for intervention with verbally and/or physically aggressive youth.
  • Incumbent must comply with JR institution and/or facility health screening requirements, including tuberculous testing, measles and chickenpox immunity, and Hepatitis B vaccination, as indicated, within the first month of employment.
  • Incumbent must pass a national (fingerprint) criminal records background check prior to employment, with renewals every five years.
  • Incumbent is required to complete Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) training within the first month of employment and comply with JR Policy 5.90, applying PREA Juvenile Standards in JR.

How do I apply? 
Complete your applicant profile and attach a current resume detailing your experience and education.

Supplemental Information:
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.  If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

Applicants selected for an interview are required to pass a national fingerprint background check and complete a questionnaire mandated by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) inquiring about any sexual misconduct. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but is considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.


This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).  For more information: https://wfse.org/ 


Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement, for more information on employee benefits eligibility visitPublic Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact David Ozment (Talent Acquisition Specialist) atdavid.ozment@dcyf.wa.gov. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or emailsupport@neogov.com.


Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.


2024-13762

접수기간/방법

709:30:37
시작일 11/19/2025 (수)
마감일 12/19/2025 (금)
11:59 PM 마감
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