Weekend Recreation and Respite Coordinator

**Department**:Social and Community Inclusion Programs (Recreation)

**Time**:Part-Time - 10 hours per week

**Schedule**:Saturday’s 8:30am - 1:30pm + up to 5 hours of in office
Flexible schedule is required.

**Term**:9 Month - with possibility of extend/renew

**Accountability**:The Weekend R&R Coordinator is accountable to the Recreation Manager.

**UNDERSTANDING - ACCEPTANCE - INCLUSION**

**About Autism Nova Scotia**

Autism Nova Scotia is a community-based organization that builds understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for Autistics/individuals on the autism spectrum and their families through leadership, advocacy, education, training, and programming across the lifespan. Our vision is a society where people with autism can live their lives to the fullest. This vision informs our day-to-day operations and provides a philosophy that revolves around person-focused supports, strength-based approaches, and community-oriented learning opportunities.

The Weekend Recreation and Respite program invites children and youth on the autism spectrum who are not currently accessing provincial respite funding/support; the opportunity to have occasional weekend respite. The Weekend Recreation and Respite program recognizes the support needed by caregivers in provided a brief respite opportunity, while also prioritizing children and youth engaging in meaningful, and supported recreation/social based activities.

The Weekend Recreation and Respite Program is proudly supported by the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.

**General Duties**:

- Conduct all intakes for new participants
- Program promotion and advertisement (creation and submission to Autism Nova Scotia Communications Department)
- Manage all correspondence with participants and caregivers
- Create visual supports and behavioral supports based on participant need
- Support a team of 3-4 Weekend R&R Facilitators in facilitation of weekend program
- Session/activity planning for weekly sessions
- Session set up/prep and tear down/clean up
- Meet weekly/bi-weekly with the Recreation Manager for program updates
- Facilitate all weekly sessions (Saturday time off will not be considered)
- Support facilitators and participants to achieve the aims and purpose of the Weekend Recreation and Respite program;
- Work with program participants on a series of recreational experiences;
- Responding to client enquiries in a timely way;
- Collect data as part of ongoing program evaluation and compose regular reports on program progress as outlined by the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia Funding
- Communicate with families and participants on an ongoing basis;
- Adhere to all policies and procedures including those identified in the Policies and Procedures Manual and the Staff Manual;
- Administrative tasks related to session planning;
- Update and maintain program documentation for each participant;
- Provide group and 1:1 support to participants throughout the program session. Specific support requirements will be determined by the needs of enrolled participants.
- Ensure all participants are treated with dignity and respect
- Accountable for participants’ health, safety and whereabouts during the program delivery
- Ensure facilities are kept clean, and in order
- Adjust program plans to be meaningful based on the participants goals and interests
- Manage beginning and end of session debrief with caregivers regarding session and/or updates
- Other duties as required.

**Education and Experience**:

- Prior experience working with youth and adults.
- 1-3 years experience working with individuals with autism
- Experience in a leadership role managing a team of 5+ people
- Post-secondary degree or actively studying in recreation, behavioural intervention or other related studies considered an asset.
- Reliable and responsible

**Skills**
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal);
- Demonstrated leadership experience
- Strong working knowledge of evidence-based strategies for supporting individuals with autism;
- Strong program facilitation skills;
- Calm professional demeanor under pressure;
- Strong computer skills
- Strong working knowledge of Word, Outlook, Excel;
- Proficiency or experience in internal communication software (such as MS Teams) and external communication software (such as Zoom) considered an asset;
- Ability to learn new software systems quickly;
- Ability to form strong professional relationships with community partners, participants, families, and colleagues;
- Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines and manage projects independently;
- Analytic ability to collect data for the purposes of program evaluation and program management;
- Self-starter who can work independently and enthusiastically with our team;
- Strong problem solving, critical thinking and ability to practically and professionally adapt;
- Strong organizational skills, analytical skills and keen attention to detail;

**Essential & Other Related Job Dutie