Recreational Therapist - Program Coordinator (Early Learning) - (FT) - National Office (Toronto, ON)

At March of Dimes Canada, our collective work matters. As a leading national charity backed by a history of more than 70 years of impact, we’re dedicated to being Canada’s leading service provider, resource, and advocate, empowering people with disabilities to live and thrive in communities nationwide. Our collective efforts are rooted in our Purpose, Vision, and Mission, which inform how we drive all our work forward.

• Purpose: Champion equity. Empower ability.

• Vision: An inclusive, barrier-free society for people with disabilities. 

• Mission: To be Canada’s leading service provider, resource, and advocate, empowering people with disabilities to live and thrive in communities nationwide. 

The opportunity

Are you a passionate Recreation Therapist with a love for working with children? Do you thrive in creative, collaborative environments where your ideas shape innovative programming?

Join March of Dimes Canada’s Early Learning team and help empower children and youth with disabilities to thrive through play, learning, and connection. Your work will directly impact the lives of children and families, helping them build essential life skills and confidence through inclusive, engaging programming.

We are looking to fill one new opportunity for a Full-Time, Recreation Therapist- Program Coordinator (RTPC) with experience in pediatrics and youth programming to join our amazing team in Toronto, Ontario. If you are passionate, high-energy, fun and have a child-like imagination to go along with your stellar program facilitation skills then this opportunity is for you! This role also involves program coordination and administration. At MODC, we focus on the potential of our clients, while making programming fun.

The RTPC is responsible for the development and delivery of our recreation-based program curriculum for children and youth with disabilities. You would be responsible for the provision of recreation therapy assessments, and group interventions to promote and facilitate the development of skills essential to recreation and leisure engagement. This role will promote the development of social skills, emotion regulation, cognitive skills, physical activity and leisure education that support a child’s ability to function and engage in their home, school, play, and community environments. In addition to program facilitation, you would be responsible for coordination and administrative tasks including but not limited to: registration, development of communication documentation and resources, correspondence with families, inventory, purchasing, set-up/ maintenance of program spaces, special event planning and execution, etc.

While most of the responsibilities will take place during regular operating hours on weekdays, this position may require you to work evenings and weekends as part of a 5-day work week.

This role involves active participation in recreation programs, including assisting with client transfers, setting up program spaces, and moving equipment. Candidates should be comfortable with bending, kneeling, and occasional lifting. Accommodations are available upon request.

This position primarily involves in-person work at 99 Duncan Mill Road during active program sessions, with potential opportunity for hybrid work between sessions based on the program schedule. Travel may be required to other sites within the Greater Toronto Area. As this role involves non-clinical work, the ability to manage your own schedule and adapt to changing and evolving work responsibilities is essential.

Responsibilities

This dynamic and unique role offers a blend of indirect program development responsibilities and direct service delivery duties and is not an exclusively clinical position.

Service Delivery:

• Conduct holistic semi-structured interviews and functional assessments to support the program intake process.
• Apply clinical judgement to assess clients and recommend optimal group class placement according to the clients’ individualized needs and areas for goal attainment using a strengths-based approach.
• Co-facilitate and instruct group classes in person. RTs will lead facilitation of RT focused classes and support facilitation of OT led classes. RTs may assist with facilitation of other classes within Skills Development and Employment as part of a cross- functional training model.
• Co- facilitate parent workshops in person and/or virtually.
• Proactively identify and address any challenges that children and youth may have in group programs with regulation, activity engagement, sustained attention, social-communication, transitions, fine and gross motor skills.
• Supervision and mentorship of Recreation Therapy students for fieldwork placements, ensuring adherence to best practices and fostering professional development.
• Refer, liaise, and partner with other agencies to address identified needs of the referred individual as appropriate.
• Complete timely clinical documentation, discharge reports and program administration duties.
• Set-up of program space, organization of supplies for classes, etc.
• Other duties, as required.

Program Coordination and Development:

• Co-design recreation classes for the Early Learning program; development of group programming and curriculum and activities for children and youth (infants/toddlers to 16 years old) with disabilities.
• Co-design parent workshops on relevant, valuable topics for families who attend our programs.
• Coordinate registration for all Early Learning programs.
• Lead administrative tasks including but not limited to: program communication documents, resources, inventory, purchasing, etc.
• Create and maintain welcoming and engaging program areas.
• Special event planning and execution (e.g., Youth Bingo night, Children’s Holiday party etc).
• Implement and evaluate the effectiveness of various group class offerings and therapeutic recreation group interventions. 
• Modify program curriculum based on feedback and integrate feedback into future program iterations. 
• Create documents for program planning and development, prepare recommendations and recreation plans, workplans, and other tasks as needed.\
• Consult and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams both internally (Knowledge to Action team, Marketing and Communications team, Early Learning, etc.) and in the community.
• Engage in special projects as assigned, both internally and with external partners.
• Contribute to planning, implementation and training during program expansion to other geographic locations.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or College Diploma in Recreation Therapy, or Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Recreation required.
  
• Registration with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (R/TRO) and/or the designation of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) considered an asset. 
  
• Experience working with pediatric populations or individuals with disabilities is required.
  
• Experience with performing administrative job functions is required.
  
• Clinical experience with neuro-typical, neuro-divergent, and individuals with developmental differences is considered an asset.
  
• Knowledge or training in Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Sensory Processing or Integration Theory, the Social Model of Disability, and Neurodivergent Affirming Practices is an asset.
  
• Experience in program and/or curriculum development is an asset.
  
• Demonstrated understanding of rehabilitation principles, including pediatric early intervention, sensory processing, and trauma-informed care.
  
• Commitment to quality care and service delivery, with the ability to maintain timely client notes, and strong report writing and oral communication skills.
  
• Comfortable working collaboratively with Occupational Therapists in a team setting, as well as working with volunteers.
  
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, including mediation, negotiation, advocacy, consultation, and collaboration.
  
• Flexibility and adaptability to the dynamic nature of program development.
  
• Strong ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with team members.
  
• Respect for individuality and diversity, with excellent interpersonal skills to build trusting relationships with clients and their families.
  
• Access to reliable transportation (e.g., car, public transit); a valid driver’s license and vehicle access are considered assets.
  
• Bilingualism is an asset.

Important Details

• Hybrid work arrangement (our office is located at 99 Duncan Mill Rd Toronto, ON)

Salary

• $56,632 - $70,790 per annum

Deadline: Please submit your cover letter and resume by January 30, 2026. 

Questions about working at March of Dimes Canada?

Whether starting or advancing your career with us, you’ll feel great knowing that you’re: 

• Contributing to our important mission: creating real change for people with disabilities

• Joining a leading national charity with a history of impact and a future full of possibility

• Enjoying industry-leading employment incentives and benefits

• Supported in your professional growth, development, and success

• Included in our empathetic and supportive work culture 

Learn more about why we’re a great employer at marchofdimes.ca/careers.

For general inquiries, you can reach us at recruitment@marchofdimes.ca 

We value the health & safety of our employees 

MODC is committed to ensuring a healthy and safe work environment. We encourage all current and prospective employees to receive Covid-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Public Health. This reflects our dedication to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our workforce.

Need accommodations? We're here to help!

MODC is committed to a workforce that is reflective of the diverse populations we serve. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds and abilities. In accordance with accessibility and human rights legislation across Canada, MODC will provide accommodations to job applicants with disabilities and other protected needs. If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive, equitable, accessible, and barrier-free.

Our Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) approach

MODC is dedicated to building and advancing an inclusive and welcoming culture. It’s also why we’re focused on attracting, retaining, and supporting diverse people. Thanks to our progressive practices, team members of all abilities and backgrounds are encouraged to access the opportunities and supports they need to grow, thrive, and succeed. Our READI approach is rooted in our shared belief that championing equity and empowering ability starts by investing in our team members— and in our shared culture — so that we all feel included, safe, and confident at work every single day.