Description:
This is a great opportunity for a Recreation or Therapy professional to get involved in a top-notch recreation program and craft an inclusion program from the start!
- Do you have experience serving individuals with all-ability levels?
- Do you enjoy collaborating with community partners and building relationships to build trust and a welcoming environment?
- Would you like to create brand new processes and services by evaluating current offerings and assessing the needs of the community?
**This is a 75% time position** 30 hours per week, some weekend work may be requiredThe
City of Palo Alto Community Services Department is hiring for the newly created role of
Inclusion & Accessibility Coordinator. This position requires a
motivated and energetic candidate with
strong organization and communication skills. This position will be primarily responsible for development, oversight, and leadership of streamlining processes and services that support
specialized recreation programs for individuals of all ages, with a special focus on those with
disabilities and unique recreation needs in a community setting. As a new position, this role will have the unique and exciting opportunity to evaluate the City’s existing programming and services and develop a comprehensive plan that will outline the City's strategy for providing inclusion services moving forward. This position will also serve as the Community Services Department's key staff representative for all-inclusive recreation needs in the department, coordinating with partner organizations, and with community members.
The ideal candidate will be a friendly, highly organized, community-focused, and solutions-oriented professional who has demonstrated success in developing relevant and successful inclusive and adaptive recreation services. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in recreation or a related field and might also possess certification in Therapeutic Recreation. They will also have 1 - 3 years of experience in the recreation or human services field serving individuals with disabilities.Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply early as this recruitment could close anytime after March 21st if sufficient submissions are received from qualified applicants.
For a full position description relevant to all Coordinator Recreation Programs positions at the City of Palo Alto, please click here .
Essential Duties:
- Lead comprehensive evaluation of existing department and city inclusive recreation programming and develop a comprehensive plan that will outline the City’s strategy for providing inclusion services moving forward.
- Establish and foster positive relationships with community partners and service providers for people with disabilities in Palo Alto and the surrounding area.
- Create a positive, welcoming, and safe environment with an emphasis on building and maintaining rapport with program participants, families, staff, and volunteers.
- Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of adaptive and inclusive services for individuals of all ages with disabilities.
- Provide guidance, supervision, and performance feedback to additional staff and/or volunteers involved in programs as needed.
- Promote specialized recreation initiatives through crafting and disseminating promotional materials, drafting program descriptions, and identifying target audiences for outreach efforts.
- Offer administrative and logistical support to class and/or contracted instructors, including equipment procurement, material reproduction, on-site assistance with registration and evaluation processes, and orientation to facilities and emergency procedures.
- Develop and provide training and resources for Community Services Department staff on best practices and strategies for working with individuals with disabilities, including seasonal summer camp.
- Encourage positive interactions among participants through group facilitation and provide necessary assistance to facilitate independence and successful learning for each individual.
- Maintain detailed and proper documentation and discretion of confidential information.
- Collaborate with Community Services Department coordinators and programmers to evaluate activities to meet the needs of program participants.
- As assigned, will serve as liaison to community groups and organizations, parents, and/or school officials regarding activities within their assigned program areas.
- May utilize specialized software applications to assist with department-related programs.
- Attend required staff meetings and trainings.
- As needed, assist in development of the budget; monitor program budget, identify and analyze trends. Provide regular and specialized reporting.
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
- Follow procedures and policies as set by the City of Palo Alto to ensure the safe operation of programs. Responsible for maintaining safe practices and conditions in a municipal recreation environment.
Minimum Qualifications:
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:
- Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Social Work/Human Services or a related field or equivalent experience. Any combination of work experience and education equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Recreation or closely related field will be considered.
- Minimum of one year of experience in leadership, with a focus on specialized community recreation such as inclusive, adaptive and/or therapeutic recreation.
- Understanding of the basic foundations of therapeutic recreation including the philosophy of community recreation and inclusion and the physical, cognitive, and social-economic needs of individuals with varying disabilities.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
- Current CPR/AED and First Aid Training or ability to obtain within six months of employment.
- Valid California Driver’s License and an insurable driving record.
Supplemental Information:
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
The City of Palo Alto offers its employees a generous benefit package, featuring family medical coverage, retirement, life insurance, plus 12 paid holidays per year. - Participation in a Governmental 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Fully paid employee and dependent Dental Plan
- Fully paid employee and dependent Vision Plan
- Fully paid Life and AD&D insurance equal to annual salary
- Flat Rate City paid medical contribution which may allow employees to select a fully paid health plan
- Fully paid Life Insurance equal to one-times annual salary
- Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability plan
- 12 annual paid holidays
- Two to five weeks vacation annually depending on years of service per MOA
- 96 hours annual sick leave
- Direct Deposit
- Flexible Spending Account for Healthcare and Childcare expenses
Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
- 2% at60 formula for Classic Employees
- One-year final compensation for 2% at 60 employees
- 2% at 62 formula for New CalPers Members
- Three-year final compensation for 2% at 62 employees only
- Retiree Medical benefits for employee and dependents after 10 years of service
Please note: The City does not participate in CA State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Social Security.Since they City does not participate in SDI, City employees are not eligible to claim against the State's Pregnancy Disability Leave or Paid Family Leave programs.
