Adaptive Recreation Specialist

ADAPTIVE RECREATION SPECIALIST Category: Full-Time
Status: Open
Hourly: Min $22.453 - Mid $28.067; Effective 10/01/2026
Published: September 23, 2026
Closing: Until Filled DEFINITION To assist in designing, organizing and implementing a comprehensive recreation and leisure education program for individuals with special needs; and to develop and implement a variety of recreational and educational activities for individual clients. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Receives direction from the Recreation Therapist.
• Exercises indirect supervision over Therapeutic Recreation program staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist in designing, promoting, implementing and evaluating a variety of recreation activities and programs for youth and adults with physical, emotional, and mental disabilities.
• Assist in organizing and implementing a monthly calendar of events and projects.
• Maintain daily attendance records and prepare the monthly attendance reports.
• Prepare communications with clients and their families through written progress reports and participate in meetings with parent support groups.
• Maintain close contact with school officials and community groups having related responsibilities for program implementation.
• Plan and coordinate fund raising activities and events.
• Assist in determining program content and the methods used in providing recreational therapy for each client.
• Attend Special Olympic certification clinics and coaches meetings; train athletes for participation in the Special Olympics; assist in planning and organizing local Special Olympics events.
• Respond to inquiries or requests for service from interested community groups and citizens.
• Participate in meetings to discuss and evaluate program techniques and content.
• Plan and organize special holiday activities including presentations and plays; assist in designing and fabricating sets and costumes.
• Participate in all aspects of recreation therapy programs and events; prepare materials for daily programs.
• Schedule and make public presentations relating to programs and services offered.
• Maintain knowledge of current techniques in the recreation therapy field; attend workshops and conferences.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS For indefinite periods of time - mobility within an office and field environment; exposure to mechanical, electrical, dust/mites, and fume/odor hazards; exposure to extreme heat, cold and constant noise; writing; walking; stooping; standing; sorting; sitting; seeing; lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds; grasping; climbing; cleaning; reading; decision making; reaching above shoulder level; using both hands for simple and firm grasping; clarity of hearing; communicating clearly and effectively, in person, and by telephone; fine finger manipulation; operation of a copier, tv, vcr, stereo, and general craft tools; operating a bus and van through city traffic. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of:

• Procedures for implementing a variety of recreational therapy activities and programs for the disabled through community participation.
• Principles of recreation program development.
• Program content for specialized community recreation activities.
• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Recreational, cultural, and social needs of the community.
• Methods of presenting and publicizing recreation and educational programs and activities.
• Personal computer operations and general applications Microsoft Office.

Ability to:

• Assist in coordinating, organizing, and implementing recreation and leisure time activities and specialized events for youth and adults with physical, emotional, and mental disabilities.
• Understand community needs in a variety of recreational therapy areas and evaluate activities according to those needs.
• Assist in designing effective individual therapeutic programs for the disabled.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public groups, agencies, school officials, the media and others contacted in the course of work.

​TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE Some experience in the implementation of recreation therapy activities and programs and/or a Bachelor's degree with major course work in recreation therapy is highly desirable. LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

• Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) weeks a valid Texas CDL.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within three (3) months, a Water Fitness Instructor Certification and an American Red Cross Lifesaving (shallow water) Certification.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within one (1) month, CPR, First Aid and AED Certifications.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) months, a Special Olympics Coaches Certification in various sports.

*Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. *Duties, responsibilities and actions may change at any time with or without notice. The City of La Porte is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Qualified Individuals