GLOBAL VISION PROJECT: Global Vision of Rehabilitation
and Recreation for People with Disabilities in the 21st Century

PERSONNEL:
"Job Titles in Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation Service"

By Prof. John A. Nesbitt, Ed.D., CTRS, Pres./CEO
Special Recreation for disABLED International

JOB TITLES

Recreation Aide/Assistant; Therapeutic Recreation Assistant. (1)
Assists in leading, instructing, and organizing of individuals and/or group activities.

Recreation Volunteer. (2)
Recreation Field Work Student or Intern. (2)

Recreation Leader; Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. (3)
Leads, instructs, organizes, and evaluates individual and/or group recreation activities.

NOTE: Parallel Positions:
Leaders/therapists: activity, art, dance, drama, music, recreation, and writing;
Coach, instructor, and teacher/trainer;
Play Lady, play leader, play therapist; and,
Recreation leader, recreation worker; recreation therapist, therapeutic recreation specialist.

Recreation Supervisor; Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor.
Supervises recreation leaders and assistance in offering a series of activities, called a program, provided in settings including: camp, community, hospital, institution, organization, school, rehabilitation center/service, institution or other setting. Different supervisors manage separate programs for children, disabled, youth, adults, and seniors in relation to program/activity areas such as: aquatics, arts/crafts, clubs, games, indoor/outdoor sports, social activities, etc.

Recreation Director; Therapeutic Recreation Director.
Directs recreation service including direction of personnel functions (recruitment, selection, evaluation); supervision of programs and program supervisors and leaders; planning and administering budgets and services, internal and external cooperation and coordination, etc.

Recreation Educator/Trainer/Researcher; Therapeutic Recreation Education/Trainer.
Teaches pre-service students recreation/parks service/ therapeutic recreation service at the Associate of Arts/Science, Bachelor of Arts/Science, Masters of Arts/Science and doctoral levels, Ph.D: Doctor of Philosophy or Ed.D.: Doctor of Education; and
Trains practicing personnel in continuing education and in-service education in conferences, seminars, and workshops.

Recreation Consultant; Therapeutic Recreation Consultant.
Provide advice and guidance to organizations (commercial, educational, governmental, non-governmental, etc.) administrators, board members, policy-makers, on the evaluation, expansion, improvement, initiation, or planning of facilities, personnel programs, and/or services.

Recreation Support Staff: standard positions and job descriptions for personnel such bookkeepers, clerks, janitors, secretaries, security staff, vehicle drivers, etc.


NOTE: Resources on Certification, Education, Job Descriptions (title, roles/functions), Personnel Standards, Remuneration and Benefits:

American Association for Leisure and Recreation.

American Therapeutic Recreation Association.

Civil Service Commissions/Services at City, County, District, State and Federal Levels.

National Recreation and Parks Association.

National Therapeutics Recreation Society.

Conservation, Forests, National Resources, Parks, Recreation at the City, County, District, State, and Federal Levels.

U.S. Government "Occupational Outlook Handbook."

Footnotes
(1) In the USA, the "recreation service" career ladder often parallels the "parks/natural resources/forests service" career ladder.

(2) Recreation Volunteer and Recreation Field Work Student or Intern.
These personnel will function under supervision with or at the levels of Recreation Assistant and Recreation Leader. Advanced students (bachelors and masters) may function under supervision at the levels of Supervisor or Director.

(3) Other Career Job Titles.
Camping: Director, Program Director, Counselor/Instructor/Leader.
Rural: Extension Service Youth Leader and 4-H Club Director.
Scouting: Council Executive, District Director and volunteer positions.
Youth, YM-YWCA: Center Director, Program Director, Coach/Instructor/Leader.
___


GLOBAL VISION PROJECT:
Global Vision of Rehabilitation and Recreation
for People with Disabilities in the 21st Century
A JOINT PROJECT BY:
Disability International Foundation AND
Special Recreation for disABLED International

GO HOME PAGE
GO INDEX