Variable Adaptive Aquatics Specialist

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RANGE - $17.00 - $20.00

City of Lakewood’s Statement of Excellence
The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.
 

About Community Resources
Community Resources is committed to providing high quality park, recreation, family and cultural services and facilities that inspire enjoyment, learning and wellness in the lives of those who live, work and play in Lakewood. We value leadership, integrity, communication and connection, diversity and adaptability.

The City of Lakewood is currently recruiting variable employees for this position.  A variable employee is an at-will employee who works in a seasonal or temporary capacity.  Their work schedule is based on business need.  This position would be a part-time non benefitted position.
 

JOB SUMMARY
Under general supervision from the Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator, the Adaptive Aquatics Specialist assists in the implementation and facilitation of comprehensive therapeutic recreation based aquatic programs with people of all ages and varying abilities. The Adaptive Aquatics Specialist also manages program resources, makes onsite program decisions and program lesson
plans, and directly supervises staff, participants and volunteers. This position will also assist individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in general recreation and leisure aquatic classes offered by the City of Lakewood. This includes providing 1:1 support of participant’s involvement, participation, and learning in the program. The Adaptive Aquatics Specialist prepares supplies and checklists for upcoming aquatic programs. The Adaptive Aquatics
Specialist also works closely with other Variable Staff including to support as well as serves as lead/key staff during assigned programs.
 

MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
This job description does not intend to list every function of the position.
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Support the individual’s participation in the program through supports such as hand over hand, demonstration, mimicking, verbal cues, physical cues, gestures, sign language, encouragement of appropriate behaviors, and positive reinforcement.
• Participate in the activity with the individual with an enthusiastic attitude.
• Support the participant’s progress towards pre-determined goals.
• Work cooperatively with the recreation instructor/coach by asserting their direction and offering feedback as needed.
• Work as a part of a team by supporting others and taking initiative.
• Support all participants as able, such as when the instructor is engaging the participant.
• Discuss progression of participant’s skill/success in the class with the class instructor, the parent/caregiver, and the Recreation Coordinator – TR
• Complete relevant paperwork as needed.
• Share information and feedback with instructor and Recreation Coordinator - TR during and after the class.
• Perform job in a professional manner, i.e. dress appropriately, arrive on time, stay until the end of your shift, attend all appropriate staff meetings, and staff orientation to ensure quality standards are upheld.
• Serve as a role model for positive and appropriate behavior through speech and action.
• Be familiar with and adhere to the City of Lakewood policies and procedures and adheres to those procedures when making program or participant-related decisions.
• Redirect negative/undesired behaviors from participants as needed.
• Makes reasonable and prudent decisions conducive to the beliefs of the R.I.S.E. program, Camp PAHA, Recreation Division, and the City of Lakewood.
• Assist the Recreation Coordinator - TR with the preparation and implementation of year round aquatic recreation programs for people with disabilities.
• Prepare program plans for upcoming programs, including organizing program supplies, confirming participants, or recruiting more participants, and communicating any changes or updates in a timely fashion.
• Attend all Therapeutic Recreation aquatic programs throughout the year as assigned by Recreation Coordinator-TR.
• Serve as the onsite lead when scheduled for programs. Make program decisions that are in the best interests of the City, R.I.S.E. and Camp PAHA participants.
• Learn and utilize Civic Rec to access program rosters, inactivate/cancel programs; update seasonal program information, and access other relevant program data.
• Other duties as assigned.
 

HOURS OF WORK
Day, night, weekends as requested
 

IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS
• Adhere to facility scheduling.
• Demonstrate creative ability in age-appropriate program design.
• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance.
• Supports participants at all times in program participation and adapt as needed.
• Discusses participant progress with coaches and parents as needed.
• Serves as a tool for participation for the individual.
• Demonstrates excellent time management skills.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Supervision Received:
Receives general supervision from Recreation Coordinator – TR
Supervision Given: Provides direction to variable staff and volunteers
 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
 

Education:
Some High School (Diploma or equivalent preferred)
Some College
Education in working with people with disabilities preferred
 

Preferred Certifications:
Current CPR and First Aid within 30 days of hire
WSI
Basic Sign Language
 

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Minimum Age: 21 years old
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, participants, parents, and caregivers.
• Ability to communicate effectively and in a timely fashion with participants, families, and caregivers, both verbally and non-verbally.
• Ability to solve practical problems in a variety of situations.
• Ability to communicate, interpret and understand instructions, both written and oral.
• Knowledge/experience with swim lessons and drills
• Ability to adapt swim lessons as needed for swimmers
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, participants, parents and caregivers.
• Ability to respond to questions from groups, managers, participants, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively and in a timely fashion with participants, families and caregivers, both verbally and non-verbally.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations in a professional manner.
• Ability to interpret and understand instructions, both written and oral.
• Ability to interact with participants in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to give clear verbal direction to groups of various sizes.
• Ability to deal effectively with emergency situations.
• Experience motivating and working with people with disabilities or a variety of
demographics (preferred).
• Ability to multi-task and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to supervise participants and redirect negative behaviors as needed.
• Ability to motivate and work with individuals of all ability types.
• Ability to provide direction and supervision to volunteers.
• Ability to be flexible in work schedule.
• Background check is required.
 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Lifting or Carrying:
• Must be able to safely lift/pull/push (with assistance) weight of up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to perform or assist in participant transfers in varying situations.
Pushing and Pulling:
• Ability to manipulate program supplies as needed.
• Ability to push/pull participants using various assistive devices.
Body Positions/Movements:
• Ability to stand, walk, run, sit, bend, stoop, squat, twist, and reach for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to perform and assist with activities of daily living with participants.
• Ability to swim 50 meters independently
Hearing:
• Must be able to communicate with staff and participants via phone and in person.
Vision:
• Must be able to instruct, observe, and demonstrate all program aspects.
• Must be able to recognize and prevent/redirect potentially risky behaviors.
• Must be able to perform basic office functions.
Mathematics:
• Must have basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills for compiling
reports.
• Must have basic accounting skills to ensure a fiscally sound program.
Remembering:
• Must remember participants’ names and abilities, follow-up with participants,
parents/guardians, staff, and recall how to respond to emergency situations.
• Must remember policies and procedures and implement them accordingly.
• Must meet deadlines.
Language Ability:
• Must have strong reading comprehension skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate logic and be able to communicate verbally.
• Must be able to compose accurately and grammatically correct documents, letters, signs and memos.
Reasoning:
• Must be able to demonstrate good judgment and assessment of skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate sound decision-making skills and be reactive to the needs of
the participants by providing intervention to any injuries that may occur.
 

WORK ENVIRONMENT
• The work environment varies by location of work to complete, event, class, or outing.
• Times of events, classes or outings vary as well. Programs can run during the day, evenings, weekends, and overnight. If office work is required, it typically occurs in an office setting during typical business hours.
EQUIPMENT USED
Various recreational program equipment used by participants and staff.
Cellular phone.
Telephone
Copy machine/Printer
Fax machine
Personal computer
Calculator
Tape/CD player/Ipod
Laptop computer
Tablet