Changing Lives. Serving All. Employing All. The heart of our mission is compassionate, caring services for the poor and vulnerable.

Are you outgoing, creative, and enjoy leading a group? We have a unique opportunity to work as a Recreation Specialist at our Adult Day Center located on the East Side of Madison. Our Recreation Specialists work as a team to create, facilitate, and adapt activities for Day Center participants ages 18+. We provide an inclusive, fun, unique, caring, and family-like environment for our participants to enjoy while their caregivers are at work during the day. This is a great opportunity to put those creative skills to work as you make an impact in the lives of many and become part of the Catholic Charities family.

This is a full time, first shift position with no nights or weekends!

We offer the following:

• $16.50/hour.
• A competitive benefits package!
• A $500 unlimited Employee Referral bonus.

Client Services

• Develop, prepare, and facilitate individual, small, and large group activities that are meaningful, purposeful and of interest to program participants ensuring a person-centered activity program.
• Adapt and grade all activities based on participant's strengths.
• Promote respect and choice for all participants.
• Follow and implement recreational activities and personal cares according to each participant's care plan.
• Provide daily assistance with the implementation of proper use of body mechanics with participant's mobility, transfer, and safety needs.
• Monitor and report changes in participant's condition and behavior to appropriate staff and formal supports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Establish a supportive relationship with each participant and their supports.
• Attend and participate in meetings addressing participant's progress with individualized goals and outcomes.

Program Management

• Assist in coordination, orientation, training, and oversight of program volunteers.
• Comply within program budget when planning events and purchasing program supplies.
• Complete all required documentation in a timely and accurate manner according to DHS, COA, and Catholic Charities Adult Day Center standards.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development as outlined in DHS annual continuing education standards and Catholic Charities Adult Day Center program manual.
• Manage general operations and inventory of the kitchen in Adult Day Center Assistant's absence.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• 1+ years of experience planning and implementing organized recreational activities with adults who have physical and/or cognitive disabilities, mental health diagnosis, or dementia/Alzheimer's.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment.
• Ability to lift 25 to 50 pounds and tolerate medium to high physical effort including walking, standing, stooping, squatting, bending, reaching, pushing, and /or pulling.
• Ability to follow directions, organize and prioritize work assignments.
• Effectively collaborate and problem solve with co-workers to ensure quality care.
• Ability to understand and follow individual participant care plans.
• Ability to assist with personal cares and activities of daily living skills.
• Ability to respectfully approach and provide positive redirection for individuals who have various diagnoses.
• Ability to be flexible and meet the needs of participants and the program.

Catholic Charities provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourage women, minorities, and applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.