Recreation Therapist – Magazica Career Hub

Title: Recreation Therapist

Company: Government of Alberta
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Job Type: FullTime, PartTime, Shift

Description:

As a Recreation Therapist with the Ministry of Children and Family Services in Edmonton, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating recreation programs to support youth in developing healthy leisure interests, social skills, and coping strategies. Working collaboratively with various team members, families, and community partners, you will ensure that recreational experiences contribute meaningfully to each youth's care plan and overall well-being.

Role Responsibilities:

Program Planning & Delivery

Assessment & Care Planning

Administration & Facility Support

Community Liaison

Supervision & Mentorship

Qualifications:

Post secondary degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Recreation Therapy, Physical Education, or a related field; or a Recreation Therapy diploma with at least two years of experience supporting youth with trauma related challenges.

Experience delivering recreation services to youth ages 12-18 who experience emotional and behavioral challenges.

Knowledge of leisure education, community recreation resources, experiential education, and Adventure-Based Counselling.

Strong skills in planning, problem solving, group facilitation, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication.

Experience with therapeutic interventions such as art and physical activity.

Ability to work collaboratively in trauma-informed, multidisciplinary environments.

Computer proficiency (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

This full-time permanent position requires 38.75 hours per week and may involve a security screening. Applicants are encouraged to apply online and provide clear and concise information demonstrating how their qualifications meet the requirements. The closing date for applications is February 2, 2026.

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Title: Recreation Therapist
Company: Government of Alberta
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Job Information   
Job Title: Recreation Therapist   
Job Requisition ID: 79156   
Ministry: Children and Family Services   
Location: Edmonton   
Full or PartTime: Full Time   
Hours of Work: 38.75 hours per week   
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent   
Scope: Open   
Closing Date: February 2, 2026   
Classification: Rehabilitation 2 (063RBB)   
Salary: $2,688.91 to $3,402.70 biweekly ($70,181 to $88,810 / year)The Ministry of Children and Family Services funds programs and services to support vulnerable children, youth, families, and individuals to live safely and succeed in Alberta. This includes providing services and resources to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect and effectively address harm that has placed them in need of intervention. Mentoring and support services are available to youth transitioning into healthy, productive adults. The ministry also invests in communitybased groups that support prevention and early intervention services such as Family Resource Networks, youth emergency shelters as well as programs that raise awareness and help respond to family violence, sexual violence, and abuse.To learn more about our Ministry's work, please visit: .Role Responsibilities As a Recreation Therapist, you will design, implement, and evaluate recreation programs that support youth in developing healthy leisure interests, social skills, and coping strategies. You'll work collaboratively with Child and Youth Care (CYC) staff, clinical team members, families, and community partners to ensure recreational experiences contribute meaningfully to each youth's care plan and overall well being.This role offers variety, creativity, and the opportunity to make a profound impact on young people's lives.What You'll Do: Program Planning &amp; Delivery

Develop and implement weekly and monthly recreation programs such as photography, drama, sports, crafts, scrapbooking, and adventure based activities.
 Facilitate annual specialized outings (e.g., canoe trips, outdoor excursions).

Assessment &amp; Care Planning

Complete recreation assessments for youth within their first 30 days.
 Provide recommendations to multidisciplinary care teams and participate in case conferences.
 Adapt programming based on each youth's needs, interests, and goals.

Administration &amp; Facility Support

Track program participation and ensure youth meet weekly recreation commitments.
 Maintain program equipment, recreation spaces, and activity related budgets.

Community Liaison

Maintain up to date information on community recreation resources, programming, and facility access.
 Support youth in accessing programs such as the City of Edmonton's Leisure Access Pass.
 Build strong relationships with community organizations, camps, and recreation service providers.

Supervision &amp; Mentorship

Support and mentor practicum students and volunteers working within recreation services.
 Conduct quarterly pool in service training for staff and volunteers.

Please click on this to view the job description for this position.APS CompetenciesCompetencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.This link will assist you with understanding competencies: .

Agility: You adjust your approach when working with youth who have complex emotional and behavioral needs and adapt programs as situations evolve. You can respond quickly to safety concerns, shifting priorities, and dynamic group environments.
 Creative Problem Solving: You develop therapeutic recreation programs that meet both individual and group needs, using innovative methods including experiential and adventure based learning. You assess challenges and create solutions that support youth growth, coping, and skill development.
 Drive for Results: You ensure youth have the opportunity to participate in recreation activities weekly, maintain accurate program data, meet reporting and budget timelines, and deliver programming that meaningfully supports each youth's care plan and treatment goals.
 Develop Self and Others: You also engage in continuous learning in areas like trauma informed care, outdoor programming, and therapeutic recreation practice.
 Build Collaborative Environments: You work closely with multidisciplinary care teamsincluding CYC staff, psychologists, teachers, addiction counsellors and transition and connection staffto support coordinated care for each youth. You also build strong relationships with community organizations and recreation service providers.
 Systems Thinking: You understand how recreation programs contribute to broader treatment plans, safety practices, accreditation standards, and community partnerships. Your decisions consider both immediate and long term impacts on youth outcomes and program quality.

Qualifications Required: Post secondary degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Recreation Therapy, Physical Education, or a related field; or a Recreation Therapy diploma with at least two years of experience supporting youth with trauma related challenges.Preference will be given to those who have:

Experience delivering recreation services to youth ages 1218 who experience emotional and behavioral challenges.
 Knowledge of leisure education, community recreation resources, experiential education, and AdventureBased Counselling.
 Strong skills in planning, problem solving, group facilitation, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication.
 Experience with therapeutic interventions such as art and physical activity.
 Ability to work collaboratively in traumainformed, multidisciplinary environments.
 Computer proficiency (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

Certifications Assets:

National Lifeguard Service (NLS)
 Current First Aid/CPR
 Valid Driver's License (Required)
 Wilderness First Aid, Bronze Cross, outdoor recreation experience (canoeing, backpacking, skiing)
 Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) professional membership

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to .Notes This position works 38.75 hours per week.Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Outofprovince applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.)Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

Working for the Alberta Public Service

.  Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)    
.  Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP)    
.  Alberta Public Service Benefit Information    
.  Professional learning and development    
.  Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool    
.  Positive workplace culture and worklife balance.

Leadership and mentorship programs.

How To Apply   
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit for more information. Please visit , for more information.In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006  June 2009 (parttime). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.It is recommended applicants who have completed postsecondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)( ) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information ( ).It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.Closing Statement   
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Dana Polutnik at .

Government of Alberta

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