Youth Wellness and Recreation Coordinator
Job Description
Job Description
About Rising Ground
Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 72,000 individuals annually. We do this through 101 programs across 138 sites, throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity is shown not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in New York City.
About the Role
The Youth Wellness & Recreation Coordinator will be responsible for developing and overseeing therapeutic recreational programming for youth placed in Limited Secure Placement (LSP), Non-Secure Detention (NSD), and Non-Secure Placement (NSP) settings within their designated region (Bronx or Brooklyn/Queens). The ideal candidate will bring strong therapeutic insight, trauma-informed approaches, and youth development practices to build engaging, safe, and enriching experiences that promote emotional, social, and physical wellness.
What You’ll Do
• Design and lead therapeutic recreation programming that supports emotional regulation, relationship-building, creativity, and self-expression.
• Collaborate with the Group Supervisor to develop a monthly calendar of structured, youth-centered activities (on-site and off-site).
• Tailor programs to match youth interests, cultural backgrounds, and developmental stages.
• Ensure that all programs are trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with agency goals and youth treatment plans.
• Work in collaboration with residential staff, case planners, clinicians, and program leadership to ensure activities support overall treatment objectives.
• Coordinate with internal departments (transportation, facilities, etc.) to ensure seamless execution of events.
• Provide supervision and support during off-campus trips, ensuring youth safety and positive engagement.
• Monitor recreational environments for safety and risk and take necessary precautions to protect participants.
• Oversee proper storage, care, and use of all recreational tools and materials.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe program spaces.
• Establish relationships with community-based organizations to expand programming options and create linkages for long-term support.
• Coordinate guest workshops, speakers, or enrichment opportunities in line with program goals.
• Collaborate with the Residential Mangers to plan and track weekly budgets for recreational activities.
• Submit supply lists and program needs in advance to ensure readiness and efficiency.
Your Qualifications
• High School Diploma or equivalent required; some college or vocational training. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience working with youth in workforce development, job readiness training, or related human services roles.
• Strong knowledge of employment and training resources, youth development principles, and job readiness curricula.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with community organizations, employers, and service providers.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and case coordination skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, residential setting with diverse youth populations.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Supervisory Responsibility
No
Work Environment:
Program Setting
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, based at various program sites and may require travel throughout the five boroughs. Work hours will vary based on program operations and the needs of the youth served.
Additional Requirements:
· Authorized to work in the U.S.
· Ability to work in-person in New York City (NY) for at least 3 days or more per week.
· Ability to travel to other Rising Ground sites (if required)
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency wholly complies with equal treatment of all
employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual’s
perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, gender, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or
veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring,
compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.