Department: Recreation, Wellness & Community Access

Reports to: Senior Manager Operations

Key Relationships: Operations, Client Care Specialists, Team Leads, Clinical/Practice Governance, Training, Quality & Data, frontline service providers, families/guardians where authorized, and community partners

Location: Multi-site: ABCS residences, Ability Centre and community settings

Role Level: Management / Program Leadership

Position Purpose The Recreation & Wellness Manager is responsible for leading the planning, delivery, evaluation and continuous improvement of ABCS's recreation, wellness and community-access programme.

The role is accountable for ensuring recreation is person-centred, purposeful and outcome-driven, contributing to meaningful improvements in clients' quality of life, independence, social connection, confidence, wellbeing, community participation and achievement of relevant Individual Support Plan (ISP) goals.

Programming must be informed by each client's interests, strengths, preferences, ISP and relevant Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) strategies. The Manager will ensure activities are appropriately planned, approved, staffed, safely delivered, documented and evaluated so ABCS can demonstrate not simply that activities occurred, but that they created meaningful value for clients.

Key Accountabilities

1. Client Assessment and Individualized Recreation Planning

Review relevant ISP and BSP information for each client, in collaboration with the appropriate care team, to identify recreation-related goals, interests, strengths, barriers, accessibility needs, behavioral considerations, support requirements and opportunities for community participation.

Develop a Client Recreation & Wellness Profile with individualized recommendations and present these to the appropriate manager/CCS for review and approval. The Manager may apply existing ISP/BSP strategies to recreation planning but does not independently amend or reinterpret formal client plans outside the scope of the role.

2. Recreation Strategy and Forward Planning

Develop a structured recreation and wellness programme that balances individual, small-group and community-based opportunities.

Maintain a rolling 90-day outlook and prepare a detailed monthly Recreation & Wellness Plan at least 30 days in advance for management approval.

Planning should consider client needs, seasonal opportunities, transportation, staffing, accessibility, budget, community events and contingency options. The Manager is expected to move ABCS away from generic activity planning toward bespoke recreation based on the individual client and desired outcome.

3. Activity and Client Approval For external outings and significant activities, prepare a proposed plan identifying:

- the activity and intended outcome;
- proposed clients and rationale for participation;
- ISP/BSP alignment;
- accessibility and support needs;
- recommended staffing;
- transportation;
- foreseeable risks and preventative strategies; and
- anticipated costs.

Client lists and significant external activities must receive the required approval before being finalized. 4. Staffing Suitability and Activity Readiness

Provide formal input into which staff or contractors accompany clients on organized recreation activities. Recommendations should consider client familiarity, ISP/BSP knowledge, competency, training, compatibility, supervision requirements, mobility needs and the risk profile of the activity.

Operations retains final authority for workforce scheduling and deployment. Where proposed staffing or preparation creates a material concern, the Manager is expected to escalate the issue before the activity proceeds.

5. Safety, Safeguarding and Risk Management

Embed safety and safeguarding into programme design and outing preparation. Consider known behavioural triggers, BSP preventative strategies, accessibility, supervision,



environmental risks, transportation and contingency arrangements.

Ensure participating staff understand relevant client considerations before significant outings. The Manager may recommend modification, postponement or cancellation where required safeguards or approvals are not in place.

Incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns must be reported through established ABCS processes and used, where appropriate, to improve future planning.

6. Client Engagement, Inclusion and Wellbeing

Ensure clients have meaningful opportunities to participate in recreation and community life based on their choices, abilities and personal goals. Identify and address barriers to participation, including mobility, communication, sensory, environmental and behavioural considerations.

Respect the client's right to decline participation. Repeated non-participation should trigger review and alternative programming rather than repeated use of unsuitable activities. The programme should support outcomes including community inclusion, relationships, independence, confidence, life skills, physical and emotional wellbeing and meaningful leisure.

7. Documentation, Outcomes and Continuous Improvement

Ensure recreation activities and relevant outcomes are documented accurately in PointClickCare or the approved organizational system. Documentation should capture meaningful evidence of participation, client choice, response, progress, barriers, adaptations and follow-up rather than simply recording attendance.

Use programme data to identify trends in:

- participation and non-participation;
- client interests;
- incidents and near misses;
- BSP-related observations;
- accessibility barriers;
- cancellations;
- community opportunities; and
- client outcomes.

Use these trends to improve future programming and present recommendations to management. 8. Community Partnerships and Programme Development

Develop and maintain partnerships that expand meaningful recreation and community-access opportunities for clients. Assess opportunities based on client relevance, accessibility, sustainability, utilization, cost and measurable value. Support effective use of the Ability Centre and other ABCS recreation spaces, including identifying accessibility barriers, improving programming and promoting client achievement and pride.

9. Budget and Resource Stewardship

Plan and deliver recreation programmes within approved budgets. Identify cost-effective, subsidized and community-supported opportunities and seek approval before making commitments outside delegated authority. Ensure resources are directed toward activities that demonstrate meaningful client benefit.

Decision-Making Authority The Recreation & Wellness Manager is authorized to:

- design and recommend recreation and wellness programming;
- develop individualized recreation recommendations;
- recommend client participation;
- provide formal input into staffing suitability;
- recommend staffing competencies and supervision requirements;
- identify necessary risk controls;
- recommend modification or postponement of unsafe or insufficiently prepared activities;
- develop community partnerships within approved authority; and
- recommend programme improvements based on evidence and trends.

Role Boundaries The Recreation & Wellness Manager does not independently:

- amend an ISP or BSP;
- make clinical or behavioural treatment decisions outside their qualifications;
- override authorized care direction;




- make final general workforce schedules;
- undertake formal HR investigations or disciplinary processes;
- replace the Training Manager's formal training responsibilities;
- approve expenditure outside delegated authority; or
- determine that safeguarding concerns do not require formal reporting.

Performance Measurement Performance will be assessed through a separate Recreation & Wellness Manager Performance & Outcomes Scorecard. The role will be measured on:

- Client Outcomes – evidence that recreation contributes to meaningful improvements in quality of life, community inclusion, independence, wellbeing, social connection and relevant ISP outcomes.
- Person-Centred Programming – quality of individualized and bespoke opportunities based on client strengths, interests, preferences and support needs.
- Forward Planning – timely completion and approval of monthly and longer-range programmes.
- ISP/BSP Alignment – appropriate application of existing support plans within recreation programming.
- Safety and Safeguarding – quality of risk planning, staff preparation, BSP implementation and incident learning.
- Documentation and Evidence – accuracy, timeliness and usefulness of PCC documentation and outcome reporting.
- Community Inclusion and Accessibility – quality of opportunities created and barriers identified and addressed.
- Trend Analysis and Continuous Improvement – demonstrated use of programme data and client outcomes to improve future services.
- Programme Delivery and Resource Management – reliability of delivery, partnership effectiveness and responsible use of budget and resources.

Performance will not be measured solely by the number of activities delivered or the number of clients attending. The primary measure of success is whether recreation and wellness programming is demonstrably contributing to meaningful outcomes for clients.

Qualifications and Experience

- Post-secondary education in Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Disability Studies, Community Rehabilitation, Social Services, Health & Wellness, Kinesiology or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Minimum three years of relevant experience in recreation, disability services, community access or human services.
- Experience planning and coordinating recreation or wellness programmes.
- Understanding of person-centred practice, ISPs, BSP/PBS principles, safeguarding and risk management.
- Robust planning, documentation, reporting and stakeholder-management skills.
- Ability to analyze programme information and identify trends.
- Competence with electronic documentation systems and Microsoft 365.
- Valid driver's licence and ability to travel between ABCS locations as required.

Preferred

- Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreation Therapy or a related discipline.
- CTRS or comparable therapeutic recreation credential.
- Experience supporting adults with developmental disabilities and complex needs.
- Previous programme leadership or management experience.
- Knowledge of Alberta PDD, APRP and disability-sector quality standards.
- PointClickCare experience.

Core Competencies Person-centred practice; strategic planning; creativity and individualization; outcome orientation; sound judgement; behavioural awareness; safeguarding and risk awareness; collaboration; accountability; analytical thinking; community engagement; documentation discipline; and continuous improvement.

Working Requirements The role requires regular presence across ABCS locations, the Ability Centre and community settings. Evening or weekend participation may occasionally be required depending on programme needs.

The incumbent is expected to maintain confidentiality and comply with ABCS policies, applicable PDD requirements, APRP requirements, accreditation expectations and organizational safety standards.

📌 Recreation & Wellness Coordinator (Alberta)
🏢 Above and Beyond Care Services
📍 Alberta