Therapeutic Recreation Intern

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.

PAY RATE: $15.16/hour

General Description: The Therapeutic Recreation Intern will assist in providing goal-oriented leisure programs for individuals with disabilities ranging in age from 2 through adult, including but not limited to athletic opportunities, specialty classes, social engagements, community outings, and a summer day-camp. This internship experience will address all NCTRC Job Task Analysis areas through various areas of programming and prepare interns for both the NCTRC Certification Exam as well as entry-level Therapeutic Recreation positions. 

Please provide the following information on your application.  

• Transcripts 
• Resume 
• Cover letter 
• 2 letters of recommendation 

Goals of the TR Internship Experience 

• Provide a meaningful and practical experience for the intern under CTRS supervision, including periodic evaluation and feedback. 
• Provide an opportunity for the student to leave a lasting impact on the Lakewood Therapeutic Recreation program through completion of a special project. 

• Provide a professional experience that fulfills the educational requirements of the University while working with the student’s University internship supervisor. 
• Provide an opportunity for the student to experience all aspects of the community-based Therapeutic Recreation experience. 
• Provide an opportunity to interact with and work with individuals of all ages with a wide variety of disabilities. 
• To provide opportunities to develop direct leadership and supervisory skills. 

Benefits and Compensation 

• Interns may access any of the four recreation centers during their internship. 
• Interns are strongly encouraged to carry their own medical insurance during their internship as well as liability insurance. 

MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The intern will assist with planning, developing, implementing, evaluating, and completing documentation on selected programs. 
• The intern may provide services to all or some of the following: individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, behavioral challenges, mental health challenges, and older adults. 
• The intern will conduct assessments and identify appropriate goals for participants. 
• The intern will conduct a case-study on one to two participants. 
• Intern will be required to plan and implement in-services and training.  

• The intern will assist in monitoring program registrations, participant and staff feedback, and updated participant information.  
• Intern will become familiar with TR Program policies and procedures and participate in department, team and staff meetings. 
• The intern will complete one special project during the internship experience, which will be determined by the supervisor and the intern.  
• Winter/Spring interns will assist with planning Camp Paha and summer programming. 
• Summer Interns will be directly involved in running Camp Paha by assisting with planning for the summer, assisting groups with camper care (including Activities of Daily Living and personal care), assisting Camp Directors with administrative aspects of camp, assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating a selected camper, attending and assisting counselors on field trips and swim outings, assisting specialists in planning and implementing activities with different groups and assisting with the Camp Care program.  

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred Job Requirements 

• CPR/AED/First Aid Certification within 30 days of hire
• General understanding of different disabilities and experience working with individuals with disabilities. 
• A valid driver’s license with a good driving record. 
• For summer interns only (Colorado Child Care Licensing Requirements): Ability to pass a CBI/FBI Background Check, clear the TRAILS registry, provide college transcripts, and must furnish written proof of at least 480 contact hours supervising children up to age 18 (contact hours can be a summation of full or part time work and must come from a previous supervisor on company letter head). Education
• Current senior undergraduate or graduate student in the process of obtaining a degree from an accredited college or university in Therapeutic Recreation, special education, adaptive Physical Education, or a related field and working to complete NCTRC requirements. 
• Minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher in Therapeutic Recreation coursework. 

KSA'S AND PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQS:

• Work cooperatively and have good communication with staff, participants, parents/caregivers, and agencies affiliated with the TR Program. 
• Good organizational skills. 
• Ability to work effectively with and without direct supervision. 
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations in a professional manner. 

• Ability to plan, develop and implement programs. 
• Access to a reliable mode of transportation in order to get to assigned and varying day, evening and weekend work sites. 

Qualifications of Therapeutic Recreation Intern 

• Ability to follow written, demonstrated and oral instructions. 
• Ability to work with the public, co-workers and participants regarding requests, conflicts and complaints. 

• Ability to instruct and lead individuals or groups in a variety of recreation programs and settings. 
• Have knowledge of how to use basic computer programs, technology, and office machines. 
• Basic core knowledge of different techniques for a variety of recreation activities and programs. 
• Ability to use assessments to develop individual plans and document progress of participants. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, participants and the public. 

• Ability to take initiative in asking questions, performing tasks and in leadership and supervision of participants.