Occ. Code 5907100

 

YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 1, GRADE 14

5907100

YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 2, GRADE 16

5907200

YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 3, GRADE 19

5907300

 

New York State Department of Civil Service

                                                                        

Classification Standard

 

 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

 

Positions in this title series plan, supervise, and coordinate the youth recreation activities in an Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) residential facility.  Incumbents of these positions serve as the head recreation professional in OCFS facilities; ensure that facilities fulfill the New York State Department of Education physical education requirements; and are responsible for the development and direction of the recreation program budget.

 

These positions are only classified in the Office of Children and Family Services. 

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

 

The level of Youth Recreation Specialist is classified based upon the number of beds, staffing requirements, and supervisory responsibilities over a recreation program at an OCFS facility.

 

YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 1: entry level or full performance level; plans, supervises, and coordinates recreation activities at an OCFS facility.  In facilities with fewer than 40 beds, incumbents serve as the lead recreation professional.

 

YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 2: full performance level or first supervisory level; plans, supervises, and coordinates recreation activities at an OCFS facility.  In facilities with 40 to 120 beds, incumbents serve as the lead recreation professional.

 

YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 3: second supervisory level; designs, plans, coordinates, budgets, and directs recreation activities at a facility with over 120 beds; typically supervises three to six Youth Recreation Specialists.

 

RELATED CLASSES

 

Recreation Program Leaders plan and coordinate organized discretionary time activities for inmates in a facility of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.  Incumbents of these positions develop and direct a comprehensive recreational program of athletic and non-athletic activities.

 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

 

YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 1

 

Administer the facility recreation program, philosophical direction, activities, scheduling, reports, and outcome evaluations.

 

·       Prepare a recreation program philosophy statement consistent with youth needs, agency mission, and State Education Law.

 

·       Formulate a comprehensive series of athletic, social, and cultural activities.

 

·       Develop programs for medical and/or adaptive needs of youth, as necessary.

 

·       Develop goals and objectives for the activities to ensure sound use of resources and treatment outcomes.

 

·       Follow a Master Program Schedule in coordination with other departments in order to meet the recreational needs of youth.

 

·       Ensure the safety and security of all activities for youth and staff.

 

·       Assess program delivery to ensure compliance of governing regulations, standards, policies, and agency mission.

 

·       Evaluate program content, schedule, and recommend changes in order to provide an overall quality program for youth.

 

Maintain relationships with facility staff, such as Youth Division Aides and Youth Counselors.

 

·       Orient new staff in recreation policies, goals, and objectives, and safety and security regulations of facility and agency.

 

·       Observe facility staff performance during recreational activities to ensure adherence to written policies and procedures.

 

·       Participate in meetings with supervisors to assure clear and concise communication on programmatic issues, facility policies, assignments, and schedule.

 

·       Meet with cottage representatives to coordinate facility recreation activities.

 

·       Report on progress of individual youth for treatment, educational, and release planning.

 

Manage financial and physical resources of the recreation department, ensuring budgetary control and maximum utilization of equipment and supplies. 

 

·       Prepare budget estimates and justification for program supplies and equipment in order to implement a quality program that meets the needs of youth.

 

·       Maintain up-to-date records for internal control of equipment and supplies.

 

·       Prepare requisitions for needed materials, equipment, and supplies with justification for their purpose to comply with facility procedures.

 

·       Prepare policies on the use, care, and repair of buildings, athletic fields, equipment, and supplies to maximize their life expectancy.

 

·       Monitor the use of issued equipment to insure compliance with policies addressing its use.

 

·       Coordinate equipment for scheduled activities to ensure that it is set up and ready for use.

 

·       Submit appropriate forms for repair or replacement of equipment, working areas, or athletic fields so that they may be re-used by residents as quickly as possible.

 

·       Establish written procedures for each area of program to assure consistency in supervision and use.

 

·       Submit appropriate fire safety and security related reports at the request of the supervisor.

 

Administer the Divisions Recreation/Leisure assessment instrument to measure the progress of youth. 

 

·       Interact with residents to promote the importance of age-appropriate leisure activities and to encourage their recreational and leisure interests.

 

·       Establish individual recreation programs for youth which will allow for personal growth emotionally, physically, socially, and mentally.

 

·       Participate in the delivery of recreational services, to lead, motivate, and assist youth for the purpose of measuring individual and group progress.

 

·       Evaluate the individual leisure programs for youth for the purpose of documenting and measuring the progress of youth.

 

·       Provide input and documentation on the progress of youth for the case management review process.

 

·       Participate in meetings to review assessment tools, individual plans, progress of youth, and implement any needed changes.

 

Work with youth to address their residential recreation and personal development needs. 

 

·       Assess individual needs and issues, and provide insights to youth.

 

·       Present activities to youth in a prepared and organized manner to assure that youth receive quality services.

 

·       Maintain control of youth to ensure their safety and facility security.

 

·       Anticipate behavioral outbursts and diffuse potentially critical situations.

 

·       Manage crisis situations in a responsive and decisive manner.

 

YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 2

 

Perform the duties of a Youth Recreation Program Specialist 1.

 

Administer the entire facility recreation program, philosophical direction, staff, activities, scheduling, reports, and outcome evaluations.

 

Manage personnel, recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, and staff evaluation.

 

·       Interview candidates for recreation and recommend the hiring of individuals.

 

·       Observe staff performance, formally and informally, to identify strengths and deficiencies, and to ensure adherence to acceptable standards and any special instructions.

 

·       Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with subordinates to assure clear and concise communication on programmatic issues, facility policies, assignments, and schedule.

 

·       Evaluate staff performance.

 

Coordinate the training and ongoing professional development of staff involved in providing recreation services.

 

·       Evaluate the need for and identify the areas of training.

 

·       Develop the program content for each training session to assure thoroughness in preparation and organization.

 

·       Identify and utilize available resources for training sessions.

 

·       Schedule training sessions in a manner which is consistent with facility budget and staff work schedules.

 

·       Evaluate training sessions in order to provide justification for ongoing professional development.

 

Work as a member of the treatment team supporting and maintaining the continuity of the facility program.

 

·       Meet with department heads to coordinate facility programs.

 

·       Involve facility staff and subordinates in developing and planning special events to promote growth and foster team spirit.

 

·       Report on the progress of individual youth for treatment, educational, and release planning.

 

·       Support other department heads to maintain continuity of the facility program.

 

Establish and maintain relationships with community agencies, groups, and businesses for special recreational activities.

 

·       Contact and schedule the service of community individuals or groups for the purpose of enriching the recreation program.

 

·       Arrange for and encourage the participation of youth in special activities, field trips, visitations, and community events.

          YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 3

 

Perform the duties of Youth Recreation Specialists 1 and 2.

 

Design, plan, budget, and direct recreation activities at the largest OCFS facilities with approximately 120 or more beds. 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 1

 

Open Competitive:  either a bachelors degree AND one year of experience working in a physical education or sports oriented recreation program primarily for youth between the ages of 10 and 21; OR a bachelors degree or higher in physical education, recreation, leisure studies, outdoor education, health and fitness, therapeutic recreation, recreation management, outdoor/environmental education and camping, leisure recreation program delivery, management of leisure studies, outdoor recreation, or in a closely related physical education or recreation degree.

 

YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 2

 

Promotion:  one year of permanent competitive service as a Youth Recreation Specialist 1.

 

Open Competitive:  either a bachelors degree AND two years of experience working in a physical education or sports oriented recreation program primarily for youth between the ages of 10 and 21; OR a bachelors degree in physical education, recreation, leisure studies, outdoor education, health and fitness, therapeutic recreation, recreation management, outdoor/environmental education and camping, leisure recreation program delivery, management of leisure studies, outdoor recreation, or in a closely related physical education or recreation degree, AND one year of experience described above; OR a masters degree in the subject areas listed above.

 

YOUTH RECREATION SPECIALIST 3

 

Promotion:  one year of permanent competitive service as a Youth Recreation Specialist 2.

 

Date:  7/15

 

 

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.