Program Assistant
Company: Seaspar
Location: Downers Grove
Posted on: May 5, 2022
Job Description:
Job DescriptionAre you looking for a part-time job with a
purpose? An opportunity to do good things while getting paid? Look
no further than SEASPAR! We are a special recreation association,
which is like a park district just for people with disabilities. We
serve twelve communities in eastern DuPage and southern Cook
counties, and our home base is in Downers Grove. We offer
recreational programming specifically for children and adults with
special needs, and we're looking for kind, patient, energetic
people from all backgrounds to help our participants learn, grow,
and most importantly have fun!Why work at SEASPAR? We offer
flexible hours during days, nights, and weekends. Our work provides
real-world experience with lasting benefits (and looks great on a
resume). You'll make new friends in fellow staff and participants.
And it's time that you treat yourself to a role that will make a
positive difference in your community.Interested? Read on for
position details, then apply to become a member of Team SEASPAR
today!
Summary: Responsible for program implementation, supervision, and
safety of SEASPAR participants, property, equipment, and monies
while working community-based therapeutic recreation programs.
Position Qualifications:
- High school or college diploma preferred.
- No formal experience required; minimum one year experience
working with individual with disabilities preferred; working
knowledge of disabilities.
- Must be 15 years of age or older and able to perform the job
functions independently of others.
- Availability to commit to assigned work times. Availability to
commit to a minimum 4-6 hours per week.Key Responsibilities:
- Assist in the implementation of recreation activities for
individuals with disabilities.
- Work with full-time staff, program supervisors, program
assistants, volunteers, parents, community partners, member entity
staff, and individuals with special needs.
- Assist with the supervision of and participate in all planned
activities.
- Adapt activities, rules, equipment, and/or supplies as needed
to ensure quality participation and the most independent
participation possible.
- Provide the appropriate attention to participants in all
situations.
- Manage assigned group or individual.
- Interpret and use knowledge of the physical, mental, and
medical limitations of participants to the benefit of the
program.
- Discuss staffing concerns/issues with Support Staff
Manager.
- Be alert and responsive to health and safety needs of the
participants and staff.
- Ensure safety factors relative to program and participant
needs.
- Implement proper disciplinary techniques. Provide behavior
management when necessary.
- Ensure that the facility/program site as well as any equipment
is properly maintained.
- Read, understand, and abide by all SEASPAR policies and
procedures.
- Be available to listen to parental concerns. Answer questions
on behalf of SEASPAR or refer questions to administrative
staff.
- Other duties as assigned.Marginal Responsibilities:
- Motivate participants and initiate successful recreation
experiences.
- Attend all job-related season orientations, in-services,
conferences, and workshops as directed by supervisor.
- Act as an advocate for the participant when necessary.
- Be dependable and punctual.
- Encourage participation and development of friendships with
other participants in the program.
- Gather, load, transport, and set up equipment if necessary.
Load/unload and transport participants in a safe
manner.Competencies:To perform the job successfully, an individual
should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Safety and Security: Use good safety awareness and judgment;
follow SEASPAR policies at all times; report potentially unsafe
conditions; use equipment following manufacturer safety
instructions; and follow agency ergonomic policies and
procedures.
- Problem Solving: Identify and appropriately resolve problems in
a timely manner; gather and analyze information skillfully; develop
alternative solutions; work well in group problem-solving
situations; and use reason even when dealing with emotional
topics.
- Interpersonal Skills: Focus on solving conflict, not blaming;
maintain confidentiality; listen to others without interrupting;
keep emotions under control; remain open to others' ideas; and try
new things.
- Oral Communication/Language Skills: Speak clearly and
effectively in all situations; listen and ask for clarification
from supervisor if needed; respond appropriately to questions; and
read and interpret all necessary agency documents.
- Written Communication: Write clearly and informatively; edit
work for spelling and grammar; be able to interpret written
information; and present clear, legible handwriting for all SEASPAR
forms and documents.
- Judgment/Reasoning Ability: Exhibit sound and accurate judgment
when making all program-related decisions; solve problems involving
a few concrete variables; and include appropriate people in the
decision-making process.
- Professionalism: Approach others in a tactful manner; react
well under pressure; treat others with respect and consideration
regardless of their status or position; accept responsibility for
own actions; and follow through on commitments.
- Adaptability: Adapt activities based on the skill level and
needs of each participant to encourage appropriate participation on
a regular basis; adapt to changes in the work environment; manage
competing demands; change approach or method as necessary; and deal
with frequent changes, delays, unexpected events, or program
cancellations.
- Attendance/Punctuality: Demonstrate consistent attendance and
on-time arrival; ensure responsibilities are covered when absent;
and arrive at meetings, in-services, and trainings on time.
- Dependability: Follow instructions and respond to management
direction; take responsibility for own actions; keep commitments;
commit to long hours of work when necessary; and complete tasks on
time.
- Leadership: Lead participants to have successful recreation
experiences; demonstrate positive interactions with other staff
members, individuals with disabilities, and parents/guardians; and
possess the ability to enlist the support of others to accomplish a
common task.Physical Demands:The physical demands described here
are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the key responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the key responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly
required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with
hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl;
and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The
employee must occasionally lift and/or transfer up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close
vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and
the ability to adjust focus.
This is a non-exempt, part-time position. Hours vary but will not
exceed 25 hours per week or 950 hours per year.
Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a
fundamental principle at SEASPAR, where employment is based upon
personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination
because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin,
pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, or any other
protected characteristic as established by applicable law.
Keywords: Seaspar, Downers Grove , Program Assistant, Other , Downers Grove, Illinois
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