Manager of Special Olympics & Veteran Program in Crystal Lake, Illinois at Northern Illinois Speci

POSITION TITLE: Manager of Special Olympics & Veteran Programs

REPORTS TO: Senior Manager of Operations

FLSA STATUS: Full-Time Exempt

To participate in the Association’s overall purpose of providing leisure experiences in all areas of recreation to individuals with disabilities. Individuals served include all age and ability levels. To work effectively with participants, staff, parents, park district and recreation department staff, teachers and others in the community. Under the supervision of the Senior Manager of Operations, the primary responsibility of this position is the development and coordination of NISRA’s Special Olympics & Veteran Programs.

1. A Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation, social work or a related field with three years of progressive full-time experience.
2. Current certifications as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (or attained after one year) or Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (or attained one year after eligibility).
3. Must have an extensive knowledge of recreation activities and program planning and possess leadership abilities in a variety of recreation areas with special populations.
4. Experience with staff supervision including recruitment, hiring, training, supervision and evaluation.
5. Must demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills.
6. Must be able to work independently.
7. Class “D” driver’s license, and certification by Handle With Care and First Aid/CPR/AED or obtainable upon hire.

1. Oversee all operations of the agency Special Olympics program.
   1. Develop a recruitment program for the purpose of recruiting both athletes and coaches. Attend related meetings and support groups for marketing and recruitment purposes. Hire, train, supervise and evaluate Special Olympics coaches; develop and conduct overall orientations, coach’s meetings, and general supervision of all coaches throughout the program season.
   2. Manage the Special Olympics Illinois and Region B annual calendar.
   3. Order and monitor athlete uniforms and sports equipment.
   4. Develop and manage Special Olympic Unified team and individual sports.
   5. Develop and monitor individual Special Olympics program budgets.
   6. Develop and maintain contacts with state and area Special Olympics offices, SOAD’s from other SRA’s, participants, families, service organizations, facility providers and community groups related to Special Olympics.
   7. Monitor all NISRA athletes Heath History Form expiration dates and track coach class A forms.
   8. Active participation in IPRA’s Inter-agency Sports Committee.
   9. Coordinate hosting a TR Section basketball tournament.
   10. Attend seeding and scheduling meetings.
   11. Attend Special Olympics Summer and Winter games.

1. Develop and provide young athlete sports initiatives which facilitate the growth and development of NISRA sports programming.
2. Maintain all program equipment and supplies; order and maintain uniforms and supplies to support staff in Special Olympics.
3. Input Special Olympic information into Rec Trac for preparation for the brochure on a seasonal basis and monitor participant infomation in ePACT.
4. Assist in the preparation and distribution of all related flyers and brochures.
5. Provide direct leadership of programs, an average of 6-8 hours, weekly during all program seasons.
6. Provide direct leadership for assigned overnight trips.
7. Oversee all operations of Veterans Fitness & Fellowship.

1. Serve as the agencies contact with Veterans Fitness & Fellowship
2. Hire, train, supervise and evaluate the Veterans Fitness & Fellowship Specialists.
3. Assist the Veterans Fitness & Fellowship Specialists with intakes and social events, as needed.
4. Develop and maintain relationships with park districts and recreation department staff, personal trainers as well as other host sites for the program.
5. Track and submit participation data as needed for NISRA and grant funders.
6. Develop and coordinate additional programs for veterans and their families.

1. Develop and implement annual performance goals for the assigned project areas.
2. Attend meetings, in-services, conferences, and related workshops for continuing self-development through needed education.
3. Assist in maintaining the agency safety program.
4. Gathering, loading, transporting, and setting up equipment.
5. Ability to perform strenuous activity to include but not limited to physical transfer of participants with physical limitations, participant protection measures, loading and unloading equipment, and vigorous recreation activities.
6. Active participation in the NISRA Foundation events and other community events as needed.
7. Provide physical assistance and personal care to participants as needed. (i.e. Transferring individuals, pushing participants in wheelchairs, securing/tying down wheelchairs in association vehicles, assisting with daily living needs, etc.).
8. Transporting individuals with disabilities in agency vehicles.
9. Perform related duties required.

NISRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer which has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the agency, which bases employment upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of an individual’s actual or perceived race (including but not limited to traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), age, national origin, citizenship status, work authorization status, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, disability, association with a person with a disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, unfavorable discharge from military service or military status, civil union partnership, order of protection status, pregnancy, childbirth or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.