RECREATION ASSISTANT
New Jersey treats Recreation Assistant as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
Eligibility comes down to 2 years of relevant experience. The FY 2027 range lands between $42,397 and $61,027, and state payroll currently lists about 20 people in the title, most of them at Veterans Affairs.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Recreation Assistant appears on the State payroll at 2 departments, most of them at Veterans Affairs.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Veterans Affairs | 18 |
| Department of Health | 2 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 20 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $51,763. The agencies employing the most are:
- Veterans Affairs (18)
- Health and Senior Services (2)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of a Supervisor of Recreation or other supervisor in an institutional setting, assists in the organization and implementation of the recreational program for patients, residents, and/or inmates; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Assists in the planning, organization, and direction of wholesome and diversional recreational activities to effect improvement in the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of participants.
- Provides opportunities for creativity, behavioral outlets, learning and the refinement of physical or social skills; participates directly in such activities as sports, dramatics, nature study, social activities, dancing, games, arts, and crafts in accordance with the participant's need, capabilities, interests, emotional, and social characteristics.
- Takes part in activities with volunteers and other staff members and enlists their support in order to gain optimistic response and improvement of the participant.
- Prepares reports for the treatment team or staff reflecting the individual participant's recreations, and indications of progress or regression.
- With the approval of the supervisor, makes arrangements for movies, dances, live entertainment, and group outings such as picnics, ballgames, sightseeing, and other programs, including off grounds trips, evening and weekend activities when assigned.
- Assists in transporting or accompanying participants to and from recreational areas or activities.
- Assists in evaluating the participant's recreational needs, limitations, capabilities, and when necessary, modifying the individual's program of activities.
- Maintains equipment and supplies.
- Assists in preparing order requests for and equipment and keeps them at level of needs.
- Distributes equipment and supplies as needed.
- Assists with the indoor and outdoor programs of physical education.
- Operates motion picture projectors, makes minor repairs and adjustments; assists in planning, organizing and implementing recreational programs for employees.
- Takes the measures to insure the safety, welfare, and custody of patients during classes at all times according to hospital and state standards.
- Sees to it that work areas are maintained in a reasonable clean condition according to institutions and state standards.
- Instructs new employees and volunteers when assigned by the supervisor.
- Maintains the required recreational records and reports.
- May be required to engage in lifting clients when working in a setting which provides direct services to clients who are non-ambulant, or who are semi-ambulant and/or have severe physical handicaps.
- May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in work involving the care and custody of persons confined in an institution, or an established recreation program.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Special Note: Ability to physically lift, move and position clients as needed.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the methods for conducting a variety of recreational activities.
- Knowledge of educational, recreational and psychological theories pertaining to physical education and recreation.
- Ability to acquire knowledge adhere to of the policies, standards, and procedures of the particular facility in which employed.
- Ability to evaluate the participants' recreational needs and capabilities; when make necessary modifies to the program.
- Ability to develop activities or equipment necessary to conduct recreation activities.
- Ability to adapt programs to the specific physical, emotional, or mental abilities of the participants.
- Ability to use judgment in selecting, planning, adapting and inventing the type of activity most beneficial to the participants.
- Ability to work with volunteers and members of other departments.
- Ability to learn quickly from written and oral instructions and from explanations and demonstrations.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.