Creative/Expressive Arts Specialist

This is a repost.

The Creative/Expressive Arts Specialist (CEAS), with oversight from the Recreation Therapy Director, is responsible for the preparation and facilitation of recreation and leisure activities within a specifically assigned service delivery area. Duties will include:

Program Development

• The CEAS will be responsible for creating a monthly calendar to include a variety of recreation and leisure activities for groups or individual interaction and coordinating and implementing general recreation and leisure activities within the assigned area.  Participation will be recorded during routine services and general recreation and leisure sessions.
  
   Information collected during activity sessions will be utilized by the RT to be entered in evaluation for Life Plan Meetings or entered by the CEAS as a habilitation note.  The CEAS will be responsible for daily contact and updating the homes regarding the recreation and leisure activities planned.  Activity ideas will be generated through personal creativity and thought, consultation with the Recreational Therapists, Recreation Therapy Director, and by utilizing activity resource books.  It is the responsibility of the CEAS to gather appropriate materials, make activity adaptations when needed, and to facilitate group activities and/or individual activity sessions.        

Service Delivery

• The CEAS conducts programs and activity sessions deemed appropriate for consumers.  The CEAS will be responsible for conducting, developing, and implementing in-service training for direct care staff in general leisure and recreation activities.
  
   The CEAS will coordinate divisional recreation activities and special events, while also coordinating, implementing, and attending special events campus wide.  The CEAS will plan, coordinate, and/or attend community outings for assigned caseload.

The CEAS is responsible for requesting/creating adaptations or modifications for specific items or providing prefabricated adaptive equipment as needed in the assigned area.

The CEAS will assist in developing plans, compiling materials, and conducting activities, which contribute to the overall development of Recreation Therapy services at Caswell Center. The CEAS will attend and participate in Recreation Therapy peer review sessions and continuing education activities as scheduled by the Director of Recreation Therapy.

The CEAS may be involved in presentations for local high school, career days, staff training and informational booths and/or open house type presentations.  The CEAS will attend and participate in Recreation Therapy staff meetings, peer review sessions and continuing education activities as scheduled by the Director of Recreation Therapy.

The CEAS may be asked to perform other duties as needed (this may be in a different work site or schedule, on a temporary basis).

Work Location: Recreation Therapy

Work Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (flex schedule)/ Monday-Friday

About the Department of Health and Human Services / Caswell Developmental Center: The NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, with approximately 18,000 employees.  In collaboration with its partners, it is responsible for ensuring the health, safety and well-being of all North Carolinians.

Caswell Developmental Center, serving as North Carolina's Eastern Region resource center, provides specialized residential, programmatic, and support services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The individuals we serve are at the heart of our facility.

 Our team is critical to the mission of the facility.  We strive to create an environment in which every team member contributes to the overall success of the Center to positively impact the lives of those around them and the individuals we service. If you are looking to make a difference and seeking a rewarding career, we encourage you to consider this opportunity.

  Please click on the following link  https://vimeo.com/185000006 to experience how Caring is Contagious at Caswell Developmental Center.        To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. Qualified candidates must document on the application that they clearly possess all of the following:

• Considerable knowledge of the therapeutic creative/expressive arts principles, techniques, and method and their application to adults with developmental disabilities.

• Knowledge of diagnostic and program development .

• Ability to evaluate individual progress within a program of general recreation and leisure activities.

Management Preference:

Preferred four-year degree in Human Services field or two-year degree as Recreation Therapy Assistant accompanied by state licensure (NCBRTL) as an LRTA or Associate's Degree in Human Services field, or equivalent years of experience in habilitation, leisure activities, recreation.

Physical Requirements: 

Heavy lifting is not generally required in this position, but moving, set up and storage of musical and other equipment requiring moderate physical effort is sometimes required.

Job requires both indoor and outdoor work but minimal exposure to extreme conditions. Audio visual equipment, musical instruments, sound equipment, sets and scenery are utilized and handled at times.

                Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience".  If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience OR a combination of both.  See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and a demonstrated knowledge of the medium being utilized; or a bachelor's degree in creative/expressive arts area (art, drama,music, dance) from an appropriately accredited institution; or

Associate's degree in a human service field which includes a practicum or internship in a similar setting

from an appropriately accredited institution with a demonstrated knowledge of the medium being utilized and two years of experience with a similar population; or

High school or General Educational Development diploma and four years of experience in conducting programs with similar populations including a demonstrated knowledge of the medium being utilized; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Degrees must be from appropriately accredited colleges or university.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Positions in the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal record background checks.

Also, the use of tobacco products of any kind including vapor products are prohibited from our campuses. All employees are required to adhere to the facility's Vaccination Policy.

The DHHS Division of Human Resources (DHR) follows the State Human Resources Employment of Relatives Policy.  Applicants who have relatives or people living in the same household, will not be considered for job vacancies in the DHR at those locations.  For a complete definition of immediate family member, please see the State Human Resources Workforce Planning, Recruitment and Selection Policy, Section 2, Page 38.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. You will either receive a call to schedule an interview or an email notifying you when the job has been filled.

For technical issues with your applications, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at 855-524-5627. Applicants will be communicated with, via email only, for updates on the status of their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at (252)208-4293.  

Compensation & Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits.  Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).  Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.

 In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.  Visit website for State Benefits