Recreation Staff

Job description

Position Overview : Recreation Staff support the planning and delivery of structured recreational, educational, and enrichment activities at a federally contracted residential facility. This role helps create safe, engaging, age-appropriate programming that promotes wellbeing, positive social interaction, and daily routine in a fast-paced operational environment. The ideal candidate has experience working with migrant populations, is comfortable in rapid-response or emergency settings, and can work respectfully with individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, and personal backgrounds. This is a fully onsite position based in Alexandria, Louisiana. Key Responsibilities/Essential Functions : Plan, organize, and facilitate structured indoor and outdoor recreational, educational, and enrichment activities for children, youth, and family groups in accordance with facility schedules and program guidelines. Support age-appropriate activities that encourage physical movement, creative expression, positive social interaction, and constructive use of leisure time. Supervise activity spaces, recreation areas, and group programming to help ensure participant safety, respectful conduct, and appropriate use of equipment and supplies. Set up, monitor, and break down recreation spaces, materials, games, sports equipment, arts and crafts supplies, and other activity resources. Assist with maintaining schedules, activity rosters, attendance logs, equipment inventories, and other required documentation. Promote a calm, respectful, and culturally responsive environment by using sound judgment, positive communication, and appropriate de-escalation techniques. Engage effectively with families and unaccompanied children from diverse cultural, linguistic, and personal backgrounds. Observe participants for signs of distress, conflict, fatigue, or behavioral escalation and report concerns promptly to supervisors and appropriate staff. Coordinate with operations, case management, education, medical, behavioral health, childcare, and other program teams to support consistent service delivery. Support special events, orientation activities, and flexible programming needs during surge, transition, or emergency conditions. Follow all safety, safeguarding, confidentiality, and operational procedures while supporting daily activities. Perform other recreation, youth engagement, or operational support duties as assigned based on program needs. Required Qualifications & Core Competencies: High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Education, Child Development, Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or related fields is a plus. Minimum 1 year of experience in recreation, youth programming, childcare, education, camp programming, residential services, shelter services, or other directly related support roles. Experience working with migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, families, children, youth, or other vulnerable populations is strongly preferred. Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, high-demand, or emergency-response environments. Ability to lead or support structured activities in a safe, organized, and age-appropriate manner. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work respectfully and effectively with people from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain accurate activity logs and documentation. Must be based in Alexandria, Louisiana or the surrounding vicinity, or able to reliably commute to the project site. Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, is required. Must be bilingual (Spanish and/or another language commonly spoken by migrant communities Desired Skills: Training or demonstrated experience in trauma-informed care, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques. Experience designing or facilitating programming for children, adolescents, families, or culturally diverse groups. Experience in residential, shelter, intake, reception, humanitarian, educational, or community-based service settings. Knowledge of group management, behavior support, youth engagement, and safe recreation practices. CPR, First Aid, youth development, recreation leadership, or related certification/training is a plus. Conditions of Employment: Employees must be a U.S. Citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident Employment is contingent upon successful completion of the following screening: Federal background investigation (up to and including a Tier 4 DHS clearance) Criminal history check Verification of employment and education history Compliance with all government credentialing requirements Drug Screening Employees must adhere to all federal security, confidentiality, and operational protocols while working within government facilities. Must be able to speak, read, and write in English Anovaeon operates 24 hours/365 days and requires the flexibility to work additional hours, nights, weekends, and holidays Must show proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. Internal background check to the satisfaction of contract requirements. If applicable, Child Abuse/ Neglect Report (CAN) or child protective services check with no adverse findings. Physical Requirements: Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout a large facility for extended periods. Ability to lead and participate in indoor and outdoor activities, including light physical recreation, with or without reasonable accommodation. Ability to lift, carry, or move supplies, materials, and activity equipment up to 50 pounds Ability to visually observe and audibly monitor facility activities to maintain safety, security and appropriate supervision Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and support routine setup and cleanup of activity spaces. Ability to work in varied indoor and outdoor conditions, including heat, humidity, and inclement weather as operational needs require. Ability to respond quickly and appropriately during emergencies. Work Environment: This is a fully onsite position in Alexandria, Louisiana, within a fast-paced residential and temporary housing environment. Work may occur in indoor recreation areas, outdoor recreation spaces, classrooms, multipurpose rooms, residential areas, and other operational locations. The role requires professionalism, flexibility, and comfort working in a dynamic setting with people from a wide range of backgrounds. Other Duties & Information : Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job. Position Type: Full-Time Travel Requirements: Limited Local Travel Location: On-Site About Anovaeon, LLC: Anovaeon, LLC is a solutions-driven company providing end-to-end expertise in humanitarian response. We don’t staff projects—we bring the right teams with the right tools, guided by innovative leadership, that together deliver operational success. From disaster response and recovery to migration and emergency preparedness, we integrate strategic leadership with hands-on execution. Our team combines deep industry experience with data-driven solutions, ensuring our partners are well equipped to mitigate crises effectively and deliver real impact and mission success. Anovaeon, LLC is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, and gender expression, religious creed, disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, age, marital status, civil union status, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, denial of family and medical care leave, arrest record and/or any other characteristic(s) protected by federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. If you need any accommodations to complete the application, participate in an interview, take part in pre-employment testing, or engage in any part of the selection process, please contact us at Anovaeon, LLC serves as a dedicated strategic partner to government and other customers. We provide a range of professional services, including specialized facilities, customized logistics support, and direct care services. We hire individuals who share our commitment to excellence and exceeding customer expectations. Anovaeon offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and training and development opportunities.