Lead Therapeutic Specialist

About Us:

• If youre looking for an opportunity to transform the lives of poor and homeless men women and children in your community we may have a job for you.
• Since 1972 Metropolitan Ministries has been providing life-changing solutions for those who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless in Tampa Bay.
• We are a grassroots donor and volunteer-fueled community nonprofit. At Metropolitan Ministries we serve families in Hillsborough Pinellas Pasco Polk and Hernando counties with compassion practical help and a willingness to make a huge difference.

What we offer:

Salary: $48000 - $50000

Group health vision and dental coverage at affordable rates along with family coverage if you choose to purchase it.

Preventative care is 100% covered (free) on all plans.

PTO is offered to full-time and part-time employees.

11 days of PTO and 10 paid holidays annually.

Option to participate in the 401K plan with employer match.

$15000 in employee Life Insurance paid for by Metropolitan Ministries.

Employee Assistance Program

Option to participate in supplemental group insurance plans at affordable rates.

Tuition reimbursement program

Training and career development.

Discounted membership at the YMCA.

Job Functions:

Participates in CREATE therapeutic programming within the therapeutic afterschool environment by serving children and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in our communities. Therapeutic Specialists may come from a variety of disciplines including mental health and recreational therapy. The Lead Therapeutic Specialist will work as part of a team to design and facilitate group activities which impact social emotional growth for children participating in the CREATE program. This position is intended to focus on the therapeutic needs of students in the school age programs using all forms of recreation as intervention. Includes assessment intervention and follow-up as well as teacher and parent training. General schedule is from 9:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with a one day a week from 12:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. with evening flexibility to meet program and family needs. Collecting ongoing data and tracking program outcomes and success are integral parts of this job.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Provide active and individual supervision of other Therapeutic Specialists at the site.
2. Train and provide feedback to Therapeutic Specialists on planning targeted and intentional activities as well as on data and documentation including assessment tools and fidelity.
3. Assess students needs through observations school and medical records tests and consulting with other professionals teachers families and students.
4. Create treatment plans and programs that meet students needs and interests.
5. Plan and implement interventions to mitigate the effects of trauma.
6. Engage students in therapeutic activities using a variety of modalities including arts and crafts drama music dance sports games and field trips.
7. Help students learn social skills needed to become or remain independent.
8. Teach students about ways to build and develop resilience from trauma.
9. Record and analyze a students progress.
10. Evaluate interventions for effectiveness.
11. Collect and report ongoing data.
12. Collaborate with community partners to provide intervention programs.
13. Design and implement Parent Engagement opportunities with site team.
14. Participate in regular team meetings to develop plans for students and monitor progress.
15. Keep confidential records according to the Ethical Boundaries for Those That Serve. Maintain professional boundaries.
16. Demonstrate flexibility in work schedule to ensure that client/program needs are being met.
17. Participate in Metropolitan Ministries holiday efforts Bridge Builders and other fundraising events when needed. Provide tours of the facilities and speak on behalf of Metropolitan Ministries as needed.
18. Meet personal goals and actively contributes to the achievement of team and organizational targets/goals as stated on the KPI and in the annual plan. Attend required staff meetings and on-going trainings. Support the team and supervisor in other tasks as assigned.

Education and Experience:

A minimum of a B.S. degree in recreation therapy or mental health field. Masters degree in related field is desirable. Minimum of three years of experience in the fields of recreation therapy or related field for bachelors level candidates. Direct experience working with children and parents required. Bi-lingual preferred. National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) or Activity Professional Credential preferred.

Skills Requirements:

Must be able to work effectively with children and parents representing and communicating their status and progress to small groups and professionals within a network comprised of the Hillsborough County School District Metropolitan Ministries service providers and applicable and related medical social service providers in the surrounding community. Must be able to work within a multi-disciplinary team framework; strong interpersonal and supervisory skills; strong oral and written communications skills; dependability; demonstrates a high degree of maturity and sensitivity to cultural and individual differences in clients served; ability to handle job related matters in a professional diplomatic and confidential manner; willing to work with minimal supervision yet be able to accept direction; well organized and detail oriented. Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Access Word and Excel required.

Requires heart for ministry and comfort working with poor and homeless families and individuals. Requires understanding of poverty and the ability to work with low socio-economic and diverse populations facing crisis situations in a professional and diplomatic manner. Knowledge of community resources available to homeless population. Must demonstrate maturity and sensitivity to issues of faith culture and other sources of diversity. Ability to work as part of a team within a multi-disciplinary framework.

Physical Requirements:

Hearing and speaking ability which allows for effective oral communication; physical and emotional stamina to effectively handle job related issues and stress.

Other:

Must pass applicable pre-employment screening and demonstrate legal authorization to work in the United States. Must be available to work during normal school hours and for evening meetings as required. Must pass required background pre-employment screening. Must have a valid drivers license and be able to transport self and clients when necessary.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability or status as a protected veteran.

We are committed to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace that includes partners with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving individuals throughout our local communities. People of color women LGBTQIA Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal state and local ordinances.

Metropolitan Ministries is committed to offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability please contact us at or via email at