Role Responsibilities

Do you have a passion for working with vulnerable youth?  Is this your life path? If so, become a Recreation Therapist at our Edmonton Youth Centre and share the vision of building “strong children, youth, families and communities where children and youth are valued, nurtured and loved”.

 
The Provincial Campus Based Care (PCBC) is a campus-based care facility for youth with significant trauma based emotional and behavioral issues. Some of the key responsibilities are:

 
Therapeutic Recreation Services (80%)

• Assessment & Care Planning: Conduct recreational assessments and develop individualized care plans aligned with each youth’s needs and goals. Share recommendations with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and update plans based on progress.
• Program Design & Delivery: Plan, implement, and evaluate engaging therapeutic recreation programs that consider trauma-informed care, youth development stages, and behavior management. Create monthly activity calendars and facilitate leisure education to promote well-being, confidence, and healthy routines.
• Youth Engagement & Community Access: Support in-house recreation through staff collaboration and co-facilitation. Build relationships with external stakeholders to provide youth access to meaningful, low- or no-cost community-based activities as part of transition planning.
• Documentation & Collaboration: Maintain accurate and timely documentation. Actively participate in MDTs and contribute to care coordination through effective communication and team collaboration.
   

Operational & Professional Support (20%)

• Facility & Equipment Oversight: Maintain recreation areas and equipment (e.g., gym, pool, craft rooms). Monitor supplies and ensure safety standards are met.
• Administration & Reporting: Track program stats, complete facility management tasks, and contribute to team meetings, conferences, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Professional Development & Mentorship: Maintain certifications, support student placements, and pursue ongoing learning. Represent the program in community committees and share best practices.
• Key Competencies: Strong assessment and observation skills, creativity in program development, understanding of trauma, and effective verbal and written communication are essential.
   

Please click on this LINK to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.
 

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:  https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf
 

Below is a list of the APS Competencies to assist you:

• Agility – Demonstrated ability to manage and adapt to change. Ability to manage human, financial and physical resources within an operating environment.
• Drive for Results – Leadership skills, including demonstrated ability and comfort with decision making responsibilities, coaching and teaching, and the ability to inspire and build confidence in others.
• Develop Self and Others – Proven ability to foster partnerships and to achieve organizational goals within an organization.
• Build Collaborative Environments – Strong track record in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop Networks – Ability to foster a climate of cooperation amongst, and build solid relationships with public agencies, government, committees and other partners.
• Systems Thinking – Effective leadership abilities combined with a strong commitment to operating within a team environment and the ability to motivate and inspire other to achieve common goals.
• Creative Problem Solving – Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard:

• Directly related 2-year Diploma or a Degree (Therapeutic Recreation, Physical Education, OR
• Recreation and Leisure Studies; OR
• a diploma from a Therapeutic Recreation program and two (2) years of related experience (working with youth experiencing trauma-related emotional and behavioural challenges) required.
   

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications of this role is required.
 

Role requirements:

• The Recreation Therapist must maintain an active registered Professional Membership with the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)
• Candidates must have current First Aid/CPR Certificate, Valid Driver’s License and Security Clearance
• Successful candidates must be prepared to complete and maintain training in Standard First Aid with CPR, suicide intervention, high-risk de-escalation and Indigenous cultural understanding

 
Assets:

• Experience working with Indigenous youth and families
• Other certificates such as Wilderness First Aid, National Lifeguard Services (NLS) certification, Bronze Cross and Adventure Based Experiences.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

One (1) Part-time opportunity in Edmonton, Alberta. Work schedule may include afternoon or day shifts weekdays as well as some scheduled weekend work.
 

Final candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment screening including:

• Academic credential check
• Intervention Record check (IRC)
• Proof of valid driver’s license
• Provide a suitable security screening Criminal Record check with vulnerable sector, a completed CRC with VS within 6 months at time of application is acceptable
• Additional pre-employments may be required dependent on location: medical, drivers abstract

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 
 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs