Inclusion Counselor - ASPIRE

Please note: This job opening may close earlier than the stated date, due to high candidate volume. If interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

Who We Are:

At the City of High Point, we celebrate the creator in everyone. Building on our rich cultural history steeped in industrialism and innovation, our employees seek not only to transform themselves, but the world around us. We are collaborators, we are makers, we are visionaries. 

The High Point Parks & Recreation Department enhances quality of life by providing innovative programs, parks and facilities for present and future generations. We offer 41 parks, two golf courses, five recreation centers, an environmental education center, tennis and pickleballs courts, a campground, marinas, playgrounds, ballfields, greenways and natural trails and more. Our vision is to enhance the City by providing recreation programming and community events that promote strong bonds, improve health and wellness and celebrate the City’s history and character. We are committed to providing opportunities for all age and abilities.

We invite you to explore the many opportunities to serve our community, by sharing your talents, skills, and expertise. You'll join a diverse team of over 1,300 individuals dedicated not just to making a career, but a difference; because what we create in High Point, changes the world! 

Our Core Values:

• Integrity: Saying what we mean and consistently doing what we say with no desire other than the good of the citizens we serve. It means standing up for beliefs.

• Responsibility: A continual process that emphasizes a high level of personal accountability by each member of the organization.

• Partnership: Adding competitive value and quality to the services provided to our residents, businesses, and visitors through responsible fiscal stewardship, increased innovation, greater use of technology, and expanded civic, neighborhood and regional partnerships.

What We Offer:
The City of High Point offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. We also offer generous benefit package for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service

• 401K and 457B Retirement Plans

• PTO earned within first year

• 12 Paid Holidays per year

• Tuition Reimbursement Plan

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective day one

What You'll Do:

Starting pay for this position is $16.45 per hour.

Who We Are:

At the City of High Point, we celebrate the creator in everyone. Building on our rich cultural history steeped in industrialism and innovation, our employees seek not only to transform themselves, but the world around us. We are collaborators, we are makers, we are visionaries.
The High Point Parks & Recreation Department enhances quality of life by providing innovative programs, parks and facilities for present and future generations. We offer 41 parks, two golf courses, five recreation centers, an environmental education center, tennis and pickleballs courts, a campground, marinas, playgrounds, ballfields, greenways and natural trails and more. Our vision is to enhance the City by providing recreation programming and community events that promote strong bonds, improve health and wellness and celebrate the City’s history and character. We are committed to providing opportunities for all ages and abilities.
We invite you to explore the many opportunities to serve our community, by sharing your talents, skills, and expertise. You’ll be joining a nationally accredited Parks & Recreation department, as well as a dynamic team of over 1,300 individuals dedicated not just to making a career, but a difference; because what we create in High Point, changes the world!
Our Core Values:
• Integrity: Saying what we mean and consistently doing what we say with no desire other than the good of the citizens we serve. It means standing up for beliefs.
• Responsibility: A continual process that emphasizes a high level of personal accountability by each member of the organization.
• Partnership: Adding competitive value and quality to the services provided to our residents, businesses, and visitors through responsible fiscal stewardship, increased innovation, greater use of technology, and expanded civic, neighborhood and regional partnerships.

Your Purpose:
Provides direct leadership and inclusive support in recreational programs for youth, teens, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Primarily focused on accommodating youth with support needs in Recreation Center’s after school and summer camp programs; does related work as required. Work is performed under regular supervision of ASPIRE Program Supervisor.

Essential Tasks & Responsibilities:

What You’ll Do:

• Ensure the safety and well-being of participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages during recreation programs and activities.
• Support participants in fully engaging in after-school programs, summer camps and other recreation activities alongside their peers.
• Lead small-group activities and provide behavioral support to promote successful participation.
• Observe participants and collaborate with recreation center staff to implement inclusive practices and appropriate accommodations.
• Assist recreation staff in adapting programs, activities and equipment to meet participants' individual needs.
• Develop, implement and evaluate individualized recreation plans based on participant goals and support needs.
• Monitor participant progress and complete required documentation regarding goals, behavior and staff support needs.
• Communicate effectively with parents or caregivers, supervisors and recreation center staff regarding participant progress, needs and goals.
• Promote positive behavior and implement appropriate behavior management strategies.
• Provide a high level of customer service to participants, families and the public.
• Assist with other recreation programs, special events and department activities as assigned.
• Operate City vehicles, including passenger vans, as required for program activities and transportation.
• Educate and enforce department policies, facility rules and safety regulations.
• Prepare, organize and maintain adaptive equipment, supplies and program materials.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organized program environment before, during and after activities.
• Perform all duties in accordance with department policies and procedures, OSHA regulations, and City safety standards.

What You'll Bring:

We recognize your time is valuable, please ensure you meet the required qualifications below prior to applying:

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Formal Education
  • Graduated from High School or GED;
• 2+ years of experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Previous work experience in recreation and parks setting, education system, or direct client care support

• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications:

• College degree in Recreational Therapy and/or closely related field
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Qualifications:

Physical Requirements

Light to Medium Work:  Exerting negligible amount of force to move supplies, equipment, and objects. Physical demand requirements usually require walking, standing, stooping, bending, stretching, lifting, pushing, pulling, jumping, running, climbing, kneeling, and sitting, sometimes on the ground or floor.  There is significant use of arms, hands, legs and feet.

Physical Demand Level                Lifting Requirement

Sedentary                                  Up to 10 lbs. occasionally

Light                                         Up to 20 lbs. occasionally; up to 10 lbs. frequently

Medium                                     20–50 lbs. occasionally; 10–25 lbs. frequently

Reaching, Handling, and Fingering: (Reaching - Extending the hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction, but normally to the front or side).  (Handling - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands (fingering not involved).  (Fingering - Picking, pinching, or otherwise working with fingers primarily (rather than the whole hand or arm as in handling). All are requirements of this job.

Talking and/or Hearing: (Talking - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken word).  (Hearing - Perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Must be able to communicate with the program participants and their family members.  Must be able to speak clearly and have a voice with enough volume to be heard over the other noises of the facility and be able to hear should a participant call for help or assistance.  Must be able to communicate with supervisor in person and by telephone.

Seeing:  The ability to perceive the nature of objects by the eye.  The important aspects of vision are:

1.  Acuity, far - Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more.

Must be able to see at a distance to observe the activities and ensure safety for the participants.  Both eyes 20/25 - R 20/30 - L 20/30 corrected

2.  Acuity, near - Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.

Must be able to see close so as to work with forms, and reports and physically assist participants.  Both eyes 20/22 corrected

3.  Depth Perception - Three-dimensional vision.  Ability to judge distance and space relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are.

Must be able to judge distances so as to know exactly how near or far a participant is for safety purposes.  Depth Perception - 4

4.  Field of Vision - Area that can be seen up and down or to right or left while eyes are fixed on a given point.

Must be able to see wide span to cover program area while focusing on the job at hand.  Must be alert to all that is happening.

5.  Accommodation - Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus.  This item is especially important when doing near-point work at varying distances from eye.

Must be able to adjust the eye lens to glance quickly at participants or other people who are located at various distances.

6.  Color Vision - Ability to identify and distinguish colors.

Must be able to distinguish colors from shades of gray so as to tell one person from another at a distance.

Mental Activity/Requirements

Reasoning

Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to work tasks, practical situations and requests made by supervisor or program participants; to comprehend and respond to a variety of situations in an expedient manner, possibly under emergency conditions.  Good judgment is essential.

Mathematics Ability

Using Arithmetic:  Ability to use arithmetic to add, subtract and make change when collecting fees; to made statistical reports on numbers of participants and attendance; to monitor the budget, etc.

Language Ability

Read:  Ability to read manuals, instructions, directions, report information, safety rules and regulations, calendars, recording forms, evaluations and various other documents relating to the job.

Write:  Ability to write information as needed to complete records and make notes.

Speak:  Ability to be conversant in voice and diction to participate in discussions with supervisor, other employees and program participants.  Must be able to teach programs. While remaining polite, courteous and caring, must sometimes be forceful in the enforcement of safety and other regulations.

Environmental Conditions

The Worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions:  Exposed to the various weather conditions and temperatures.  Combining the type of work performed with the weather conditions, the worker should be one who can work outside in a hot environment.  Job responsibilities require that the employee work inside the facility most of the time but go outside to assist with or evaluate a program in progress and during trips.

Hazards

Employee will be exposed to trash, garbage, cleaning detergents and chemicals, dust, trees, shrubs and grass.  Work is subject to final standards of OSHA on bloodborne pathogens.

Machinery/Tools/Work Aids/Other Equipment

Various recreational equipment, computer, calculator, PA system, score board, cleaning supplies, arts, crafts, chairs, tables, safety rules, first aid supplies, pens, pencils, telephone, Personnel Resolution, 15 passenger van, buses and other work aides associated with the job.Bottom of Form

Our Commitments:

"The City of High Point is dedicated to fostering a work environment that values individuals from all backgrounds and seeks to attract and retain the most qualified partners in service to the citizens of High Point. As an at-will employer, the City allows employees to terminate their employment, or be terminated, at any time, with or without cause, as long as it is not prohibited by law."

The City of High Point is committed to classifying and compensating its employees fairly for the work they do, weighing both the internal capabilities and the external market. While the job description is not intended to and does not create a contract of employment, we are excited to use this “living document” as a guide for managing performance and positions to ensure job descriptions are reflective of the current work required by the incumbent or expected by any candidate to whom an offer of employment is extended.

The City of High Point is committed to providing a safe, comfortable working environment for all employees. To that end, we are proud to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, as well as make reasonable accommodations to candidates and employees as we are able in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Candidates selected for employment must undergo (a.) a drug screening, in accordance with the City’s drug and alcohol policy and (b.) a background screening to determine whether there is any current, pending, or previous charge, conviction or other infraction deemed incompatible with service in the capacity for which the candidate is being hired. Certain positions are considered so critical to the health and safety of others that a candidate cannot be placed in any of those positions without passing a pre-placement physical exam. Successful results from these conditions will result in an offer of employment.

Application Deadline: Due to high candidate volume, this position may be removed earlier than the stated closing date. If interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

The work location of this job will be 136 Northpoint Ave High Point, North Carolina.

Our Commitments

The City of High Point is dedicated to fostering a work environment that values individuals from all backgrounds and seeks to attract and retain the most qualified partners in service to the citizens of High Point. As an at-will employer, the City allows employees to terminate their employment, or be terminated at any time, with or without cause, as long as it is not prohibited by law. 

The City of High Point is committed to classifying and compensating its employees fairly for the work they do, weighing both the internal capabilities and the external market. While the job description is not intended to and does not create a contract of employment, we are excited to use this “living document” as a guide for managing performance and positions to ensure job descriptions are reflective of the current work required by the incumbent or expected by any candidate to whom an offer of employment is extended. 

The City of High Point is committed to providing a safe, comfortable working environment for all employees. To that end, we are proud to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, as well as make reasonable accommodations to candidates and employees as we are able in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Candidates selected for employment must undergo (a.) a drug screening, in accordance with the City’s drug and alcohol policy and (b.) a background screening to determine whether there is any current, pending, or previous charge, conviction or other infraction deemed incompatible with service in the capacity for which the candidate is being hired. In lieu of or in addition to background screening, candidates selected for employment in a position that requires working with children in any capacity must be fingerprinted and undergo a criminal history record check conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Certain positions are considered so critical to the health and safety of others that a candidate cannot be placed in any such position without passing a pre-placement physical exam. The City offers employment to successful candidates conditioned upon the City’s receipt of satisfactory results from all required screenings, checks, and exams, as applicable.