09/07/2001 42800

CORRECTIONS ACTIVITIES SPECIALIST

DEFINITION:

This is professional work in providing a program of structured leisure time and recreational activities for inmates in a state correction institution and facility.

The employee in this class develops, schedules, coordinates and conducts leisure time and recreational activities involving inmates at all levels of interest and ability in the areas of sports, physical fitness, games, creative and performing arts and social recreation. Work may involve providing training and information to inmates on the rules of sports, games and other topics; developing and presenting information on wellness, life skills, decision planning, organization, and assessment; providing guidance to inmate organizations, such as, J.C.'s, Lifers, and others; and in the development of volunteerism. Programs are designed to motivate and provide opportunities for expression of inmate talents through individual and group participation, which may be of entertaining or therapeutic value, or for avocational development. Supervision is exercised over inmate workers and activity participants and volunteer workers. Work may be performed in the afternoon, evening and on weekends, under the general direction of a professional or administrative superior and is evaluated through conferences, reports, program effectiveness and for compliance with security regulations.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Develops, schedules, coordinates and conducts a program of leisure time and recreational activities including supervising and instructing inmate participants in creative and performing arts, recreation, athletics and games.

Develops and presents information to inmates in a group setting on a variety of topics, such as wellness, life skills, decision making, responsibility and others.

Assists or participates in program planning, organization and assessment.

Coordinates and provides guidance to inmate organizations, such as J.C.'s, Lifers and other groups under the direction of the Corrections Activities Manager.

Participates in the identification and development of individual interests and talents for recreational, avocational and therapeutic purposes.

Coordinates the scheduling of sporting events, game participation and guest appearances of entertainers, lecturers, concerts and performing groups, so as not to interfere with other services and programs.

Trains and tests inmates to officiate intramural sporting events.

Supervises inmate workers in the maintenance of equipment and indoor and outdoor athletic facilities.

Maintains records of inmate attendance for leisure and recreation programs.

Maintains records and prepares reports on inmate work performance and recommends changes in inmate pay.

Promotes community understanding, acceptance and involvement in a variety of leisure time activities.

Recruits qualified volunteers to instruct groups and individuals in a variety of activities in creative and performing arts, sports, games and other recreational activities.

Prepares assessments of individual inmate's leisure time needs, interests, degree of participation and other relevant information useful in the evaluation of the individual treatment plan.

Supervises inmates and volunteer workers in recreational activities.

Assumes responsibility for the therapeutic care, custody and control of assigned inmate workers and inmate activity participants.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the organization and administration of leisure time and recreational programs encompassing games, creative and performing arts, social recreation and athletics for all levels of skill, ability and interests of participants.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior.

Knowledge of facilities, equipment and supplies required to implement a program of leisure time activities.

Knowledge of community organizations and services as resources for volunteer workers.

Ability to conduct and coordinate a variety of leisure time activities as an adjunct to treatment plans.

Ability to secure specialized volunteer workers by developing community understanding, acceptance and involvement in a program recreation.

Ability to motivate participants in expressing talents for therapeutic and entertainment purposes and develop avocations.

Ability to direct and coordinate activities of inmate workers and volunteer workers.

Ability to develop and present information to inmates in a group setting.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

A bachelor's degree with major course work in recreation and physical education;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training.