Description

The Assistant Director of Recreational Therapy provides leadership and oversight for the cabin life and therapeutic camping components of our summer camp programs. This role supervises Cabin Life Coordinators, Cabin Heads, Cabin Counselors, and Recreational Therapy Interns to ensure exceptional camper care, safety, and therapeutic integrity. The Assistant Director supports the full therapeutic recreation process, including camper assessment, individualized goal development, intervention implementation, progress evaluation, documentation, and discharge planning.

Department Specific Responsibilities

• Provides mentorship and feedback to Recreational Therapy Interns while ensuring therapeutic services are integrated into all aspects of camp programming.
• Responsible for staff recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and training, as well as coordinating and developing new and existing program with clients and partners. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong leadership, clinical knowledge, attention to detail, and a commitment to providing an inclusive, camper-centered experience.
• Provides comprehensive leadership and oversight of cabin life and medical camping operations, ensuring high standards of camper safety, supervision, welfare, behavior support, and medical/social/emotional care. 
• Oversees the recreational therapy process, including assessments, individualized goal development, intervention implementation, progress monitoring, documentation review, and discharge planning, ensuring integration of therapeutic goals into daily camp programming.
• Leads year-round recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, supervision, and performance evaluation of Cabin Life staff and Recreational Therapy Interns. 
• Develops and facilitates pre-camp and in-season training focused on camper supervision, therapeutic recreation practices, inclusion strategies, and documentation standards.
• Coordinates scheduling and communication with clients, families, and partner organizations.
• Manages program logistics and provides exceptional customer service. 
• Develops, implements, and expands Recreational Therapy-aligned programs, including new summer camp sessions, weekend events, retreat offerings, and multi-session program series, ensuring alignment with organizational mission and participant needs.
• Monitors implementation of policies, risk management procedures, and professional standards related to therapeutic camping and residential life.
• Supports evaluation of camper outcomes and overall program effectiveness.
• Collaborates with the Bradford Woods program team to provide global program support as needed, including event hosting, leading trail lessons, and facilitating activities.

General Responsibilities

• Responsible for design and implementation of recreational, educational, professional development, and team-building retreats, camps, and other outdoor education programming.
• Manages day-to-day operations, logistics, and issues related to programming, providing technical or informational support to participants.
• Identifies and develops contracts, partners, and coalitions. Researches, identifies, and negotiates facilitators, speakers, and presenters.
• Develops educational materials, curriculum, equipment, elements, and other resources necessary to conduct programmatic offerings and services.
• Develops activities appropriate for the participants in a given outdoor program, camp, or retreat and works with leaders and constituents to develop itinerary.
• Designs and implements evaluation tools for program effectiveness, makes recommendations, and implements changes based on results.
• Assists in budget development and revenue projections and ensures programs, camps, and retreats align with budgetary needs.
• May assist with seasonal or temporary staffing needs including selection, hiring, training, and supervision.

Requirements

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree in related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 2 years in related field.

Preferred

• Previous experience working and leading staff in a fast-paced, dynamic camp environment.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential plus 1 year of experience.
• Valid U.S. Driver's license.

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.