Summer 2026 Recreation Assistant (Part Time)

Recreation Assistant: 10 Hours/Week

Seasonal Temporary Position

6/23/2026 - 8/21/2026

NEW: Now interviewing for seasonal position for Summer 2026 Programming

Easterseals MA (ESMA) is looking for a Part Time Recreation Assistant who enjoy supporting students while they work towards their educational and life goals with desires to work with the disability community! Recreation Assistants assist in therapeutic programming by implementing recreational, social, and special activities.

Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children (PRHC) in Canton, MA provides medical, rehabilitative, educational, recreational, habilitative, transitional, and complementary alternative medical services to children and young adults ages 7 – 22+ with multiple disabilities. PRHC assists them to achieve their optimal level of independence in all aspects of life. ESMA collaborates with PRHC to provide staffing solutions for its programs and services.

General Essential Functions

• Encourage the student's independence in all phases of recreation programming
• Assists with instruction in a variety of activities to individuals and groups (e.g. recreation program activities, social skills, daily living skills, etc.) and ensures student's success and safety in the recreation program
• Responsible for assisting students safety in and out of wheelchairs, transporting patients and occassionally addressing patient's personal care needs (e.g. remove diapering, changing clothing, feeding, etc.)
• Assist patients by enabling them to access their electronic communicators, switches, pointers, feeders, etc. for the purpose of ensuring equipment is hooked up and functioning properly
• Monitors students during assigned periods wihin a variety of recreation program environments (e.g. activity areas, rest rooms, locker rooms, hallways, special events, transportation and other area parking lots, etc.) to ensure a safe and positive learning environment
• Supports students with emotional or behavioral concerns and assists them in developing appropriate social skills
• Follow all safety protocols per contract, demonstrating and modeling safe work behavior while utilizing proper body mechanics
• Establish good rapport and build relationships with peers, students, caregivers, and other professionals

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the special needs of students who have behavioral, learning, or physical disabilities
• Experience with a variety of individual and group recreational activities and the ability to facilitate recreational activities according to student's function
• Understanding of motivational and reinforecement techniques in the area of recreational activities
• Ability to enact age specific developmental needs, adapted equipment, and wheelchair safety
• Experience with children and young adults with physical disabilities (preferred)
• Experience providing personal care to youth and/or adults with disabilities (preferred)
• Submission of required medical documentation required

Why join Easterseals Massachusetts?

ESMA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that children and adults with disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play. All new hires who join Easterseals MA are provided with extensive training by ESMA and PRHC professionals in their first 90 days to set up our employees and clients alike for success. Our supportive teams focus on building upon our staff's existing strengths while identifying opportunities for skill development to support longer-term career growth. Join our team to make an immediate and powerful impact in the lives of the clients we serve!

• What will you bring to ESMA?
• A passion for improving the lives of the clients we support
• Independent time management, critical thinking, and problem solving skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Flexibility in order to adjust to changes in organizational operations and/or job responsibilities
• Ability to independently seek out support and guidance from a supervisor
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills

At Easterseals MA, we champion diversity, inclusion, and equity to foster an environment where every employee feels valued and respected. We welcome a broad spectrum of individuals. We celebrate unique perspectives and strive to dismantle barriers that hinder individuals from reaching their full potential.

We actively engage with our staff, volunteers, partners, and the broader community to promote understanding, empathy, and collaboration. Collectively, we are changing the way the world defines and views disability, making profound and positive differences in people’s lives every day. By beginning with our diverse workforce, we demonstrate our commitment throughout the commonwealth.

• Together, we can create a workplace where everyone thrives by ensuring all feel welcome and valued.
• Easterseals Massachusetts is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. We base all employment decisions on each individual’s capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetics, or any other legally protected characteristic.