Intern Recreational Therapy

Under the supervision of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist this internship program has been designed to align with theNational Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) job analysis areas and meets NCTRC internship standards. The Therapeutic Recreation Intern assists in planning and facilitating a variety of recreational programs and inclusion services for individuals with disability- related needs in a community setting.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The City of Brooklyn Park Recreation & Parks division is hiring for two Summer interns. This internship is a duration of 15-weeks 600 total hours. The start date is subject to the availability of the candidate.

• Follows procedures and policies as set by the City of Brooklyn Park to ensure the safe operation of programs. Responsible for maintaining safe practices and conditions in community recreation environment.
• Leads and assists with classes and trips and events as assigned. This includes assessment planning implementation evaluation and documentation of programs. Internship will include approximately 20 hours of direct program involvement with participants per week.
• Encourages positive interactions among participants through group facilitation and provides necessary assistance to facilitate independence and successful learning for each individual.
• Participates as a member of the Brooklyn Park Recreation & Parks team. Attends and actively participates in staff meetings Department-wide meetings and partner meetings.
• In consultation with internship supervisor plans organizes coordinates conducts and evaluates at least one special project or program independently as well as conducts at least one case study assignment.
• Work a flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends.
• Develop goals with specific objectives for the internship with timelines.
• Become acquainted with community resources and services for people with disability- related needs in the Brooklyn Park area.
• Assist the Adaptive Recreation Specialist with on-going tasks such as assessments communications with families site visits inclusion planning marketing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) project tasks and other duties as assigned.
• Identify risks implement solutions and maintain a safe and positive environment for program participants and the general public.
• Meet weekly with supervisor to review program involvements clarify expectations review internship objectives discuss successes and concerns and ask questions.
• Keep accurate records and process necessary forms and reports.
• Work cooperatively with staff participants parents/guardians care provides and related agencies.
• Support and respect diversity equity and inclusion in the workplace.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Pursuing educational requirements through a Recreational Therapy program at a university or college per National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) standards.

• Current drivers license by the start date
• Current CPR/AED and First Aid Certification are required - check with internship supervisor on ways to obtain within 2 weeks of hire if not already certified.
• Servsafe Allergens certification required which can be obtained in the first two weeks.
• Mandated Reporter Training for Youth Programs which can be obtained in the first two weeks.
• Heads Up Concussion Training for Youth Programs which can be obtained in the first two weeks.

• Understand the basic foundations of Therapeutic Recreation including philosophy of community recreation and inclusion.
• Understand the physical cognitive and social-economic needs of individuals with varying disability- related needs.
• Assess the recreational interests and needs of people with disability- related needs.
• Facilitate recreational programs and activities creating an environment that is inclusive and supportive to all participants addressing both individual and group needs.
• Drive or learn to drive a 12-passenger van (training provided during orientation).
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with peers participants and the general public.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to write basic reports and office correspondence.
• Independently solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations.
• Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural socioeconomic racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets/exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction.
• Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.

• Three (3) years of experience working with people with disability- related needs especially youth and teens as a staff or volunteer.
• Be able to provide inclusion services within a variety of recreation programs including youth day programs sports camps ice skating lessons swimming lessons and more.
• Current certification related to program leadership within related field.
• Completion of additional training in Autism social/emotional support recreational therapy special education or related field.
• Previous experience working with people from various cultural socioeconomic racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Fluency in Spanish Hmong Russian Somali Lao or Vietnamese.

Work Conditions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully and safely perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to fully and safely perform the essential duties.

• The Recreational Therapy Intern will generally work up to 40 hours/ week in a 15-week period while following the NCTRC job analysis areas and meeting NCTRC internship standards.
• Work is performed in several types of environments including office or meeting settings and is in the evenings or weekends in both indoor and outdoor facilities and traveling to various locations in the Brooklyn Park area.
• Ability to meet physical demands of the job including but not limited to extended periods of sitting standing and moving about facilitating a variety of recreational activities during the day.
• Interns may need to be able to lift objects weighing up to 30lbs.

Department/Division:Recreation and Parks Department

Anticipated Hiring Wage: $19-$23 depending on qualifications

Anticipated Start Date: Mid May 2026 (Start date flexible subject to candidate availability)

We welcome applications from all individuals including (but not limited to): people of all abilities persons of color Veterans LGBTQ and women. If you need these materials in an alternate format or if you have a disability related need and need assistance with the application process please contact Human Resources at either or via e-mail at .