Intern

JOB PURPOSE:

A 15-week internship program that follows the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) guidelines or related field guidelines. Applicants must be working towards a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or a related field from an accredited university. Interns will gain meaningful experience assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating recreation programs. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

•  Applicants must be working towards a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or a related field from an accredited university
• Experience with children and/or adults with disabilities in community recreation or  education field
• Ability to manage and organize multiple tasks
• Ability to be flexible and problem solve
• Ability to work effectively with participants, parents, NISRA staff and facility/member district staff
• Demonstrate enthusiasm and empathy towards people
• Demonstrate dependability, promptness and punctuality
• Good oral and written skills
• Must be able to transport self to and from designated program locations and agency worksites
• Possess a valid Illinois class "D" Driver's license and the ability to drive agency vehicles
• CPR and 1st Aid certification required within employment 
• Be 21 years or older

DUTIES:

• Adhere to NISRA’s safety policies, procedures and the NISRA Employee Handbook
• Actively participate by engaging and supervising individuals with disabilities and promote independent skills
• Assist with activities of daily living such as feeding, changing, toileting and transferring
• Provide activity adaptations as needed
• Demonstrate professional attitude and quality customer service towards participants, parents, staff and general public as a representative of NISRA. 
• Follow NCTRC (National Council Therapeutic Recreation Certification) guidelines and complete university assignments in a timely manner. 
• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate selected program offerings. Responsible for leading the activity throughout the season. The intern will be required to observe, assist and lead other assigned NISRA programs. 
• Gain experience in the agency’s program planning, assessment, individual program/treatment planning, evaluation of individualized program/treatment plans and documentation.
• Familiarize yourself with programs facility including emergency exits, MSDS sheets, evacuation plans and other emergency procedures. Carry 1st Aid kit at all times during program.
• Actively lead the program through creative lesson plans, enthusiasm and taking initiative.
• Oversee supervision of participants, instruction of program activity and provide individual care and behavior management as needed.
• Ability to perform strenuous activity to include but not limited to physical transfer of participants with physical impairments, participant protection measures, loading and unloading equipment, and vigorous recreation activities.
• On site supervision and development of assisting staff - responsible for giving direction to all assisting staff.
• Complete all weekly paperwork, documentation, and special projects as assigned (ie. attendance, safety checklist, evaluation, incident/accident forms, discharge, assignments, lesson plans).
• Notify supervisor immediately of any illness or injury that conflicts with program responsibilities and/or attendance.
• Adhere to all NISRA guidelines for employment including policies, procedures, health and safety.
• Meet with the Internship Supervisor weekly.
• Perform related duties as required or assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Gather, load, transport and set-up equipment and supplies for activities
• Physically assist individuals in wheelchairs by pushing, pulling, or providing stabilization on unknown terrain.
• Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds
• Physically transfer individuals from a wheelchair to chair, into and out of vehicles, from pool deck to pool, in washroom facilities, etc.
• Communicate with staff and participants 

DISCLAIMER: 

This job description is not intended to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications; and work conditions of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify the duties of this position and designate other functions as essential at any point in time. Management may also modify working hours and work location at any point in time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.

NISRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer which has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the agency, which bases employment upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of an individual’s actual or perceived race (including but not limited to traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), age, national origin, citizenship status, work authorization status, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, disability, association with a person with a disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, unfavorable discharge from military service or military status, civil union partnership, order of protection status, pregnancy, childbirth or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.