RECREATION THERAPIST

Adult Day Services (ADS)

(1) One Bargaining Unit, Temporary Full-Time Position until March 31, 2026

 Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Compensation: $35.07hour-$39.07/hour

About Cota

Cota is an accredited not-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based support to people living with mental health and cognitive challenges for over 50 years. At present, our wide array of services delivers much needed support to over 4,000 people/year who live with mental health challenges, psychogeriatric mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses and/or the experience of homelessness. These services include, but are not limited to, case management, supportive housing and adult day program services. A full listing of our services can be viewed on our website at  https://cotainspires.ca

Cota is presently seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our amazing team in the capacity of the role outlined within this posting. Followed by our mission to support individuals with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities, we strive toward a vision of a supportive, inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you.

Role Overview

The Recreation Therapist is responsible for providing engaging activation opportunities via life enriching therapeutic activities to Cota service users in a manner consistent with Cota’s Mission, Vision and Values.

About the Team

Collegeview is a supportive housing program operating out of an apartment in the Yonge St. /College St. area of downtown Toronto. This program provides rent-geared-to-income accommodation and supports to adults living with an ABI requiring various levels of physical, cognitive, and behavioral support. Service users reside in their own apartments and share a communal kitchen, dining area and lounge. The goal of the program is to assist service users to live well within their community in a supported environment. This includes, but is not limited to, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) and other individual goals so that they can maintain their housing and lead productive lives within the community.

Responsibilities:

The Recreation Therapist’s responsibilities are primarily focused on supporting the delivery and facilitation of a variety of engaging meaningful programs and events for service users enrolled in Cota’s Adult Day Service.

Coordinating and planning group activities with the input of service users purchasing supplies, decorating, setting up, facilitation, overseeing and assisting service users, cleaning up, documenting, and evaluating programs.

• Actively and effectively facilitate groups, small and large groups as well as special events that meet the needs and requests of the service users.
• Completing service users’ assessments and establishing goals and interventions based on the service users identified needs and concerns.
• Completing documentation related to programming including but not limited to risk assessment, attendance, progress notes, care plans, and quarterly reviews.
• Seeking opportunities to collaborate with other therapy programs i.e. pet therapy, music therapy, art therapy, and to connect the service users with the community.

Other Responsibilities:

• Observe Cota rules and regulations, policies, procedures, practices and current legislation, in particular, the Ontario Human Rights Code.
• Comply with all Health and Safety policies and procedures to ensure every reasonable precaution is taken for the protection of workers and service users, and that health and safety concerns or incidents are responded to promptly.
• Works cooperatively, respectfully and constructively with service users, Team members, management, other service providers, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure that the confidentiality of service users, employees and Cota information is always maintained.
• Undertakes other related and/or delegated duties, as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• A post-secondary diploma or degree in recreation and leisure studies, therapeutic recreation, or other related field or equivalent work experience
• Current Standard and/or Emergency First Aid and CPR Certification.
• A valid Food Handlers Certificate
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in program planning, documentation, and evaluation required
• Kinesiology background is appreciated but not a requirement

Knowledge and Skills

• Dynamic and engaging facilitation skills.
• Knowledge of the dimensions of wellness, along with adaptations and modifications to programming benefiting individuals with cognitive, physical and sensory impairments.
• The ability to meet the physical demands of the position including lifting, portering, including leading a group geared to physical engagement focusing on physical recovery goals
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
• Team player with the ability to work independently and with minimum supervision.
• Strong computer skills including knowledge of Word, Publisher, Excel and related software.
• Sensitive to challenges experienced by marginalized population groups such as poverty, access issues, mental health and addictions.

Application Details:

Please complete the application below before, June 19, 2025 at 4:00pm. 

Cota is deeply committed to promoting diversity, advancing equity and fostering a culture of inclusion. We are respectful of each individual's dignity, unique experience, potential and protected rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code. As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to ensuring our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities that we serve.

Additional Information:

Interview Process: Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.

 Screening Process: Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.

We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Thank you, Cota's HR Department.

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Hope, respect, dedication, equity, accountability, teamwork, and innovation are key values of Cota. We are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, upholding dignity, and acknowledging each person's individual contributions and potential as an equal-opportunity employer. We uphold the Ontario Human Right Code and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ people, and others who provide various viewpoints. Cota ensures an accessible hiring process in line with the AODA principles, providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For any accommodation requests, please contact hr_recruitment@cotainspires.ca