Compensation

'This position is a safety sensitive position as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8 (K)(1)(i)(2) due to providing direct child care. Therefore, those applicants testing positive for marijuana will not be hired even when in possession of a valid medical marijuana license.'

Basic Purpose

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities for planning, organizing, directing and conducting client therapy programs and instruct or supervise clients in recreational activities as part of a therapeutic psychiatric or medical treatment program.

Typical Functions

• Plans and implements therapeutic recreational programs and activities for an assigned caseload of patients.
• Conducts interviews, tests and other procedures to evaluate the patient’s needs, attitudes, interests and abilities.
• Develops a therapeutic intervention plan based on observations, tests and other information, evaluates patient’s participation in program activities and progress towards established goals and objectives and documents response to various treatments and activities.
• Serves as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team that consults with other health care professionals in determining a total treatment plan and recommends changes based on individual observations and evaluations.
• Assists in developing protocols, treatment guidelines, education materials and specialized programs for patients.
• Serves as a community resource on recreational therapy and related health care issues.
• Conducts various therapeutic recreation programs for clients' families and groups, including but not limited to outdoor adventure/wilderness programs (ropes courses, rock climbing, rappelling, backpacking, wilderness camping and canoeing), physical activity programs (sports, group games, dancing), creative expressive programs (dramatics, music, arts and crafts) and special events and programs.
• Works intensively with groups and individual clients as part of their treatment program, coaching and supervising them in active sports, group games, dancing, dramatics and related activities; and participates, if necessary, to encourage participation.

Level Descriptor

This is the specialist level where incumbents are assigned responsibilities for performing advanced level specialized duties in therapeutic recreation and may perform supervisory duties on a limited basis.

Education and Experience

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a master’s degree in recreational therapy, outdoor recreation or physical education and one year of experience in recreational therapy; or a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy, outdoor recreation or physical education and two years of experience in recreational therapy; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; or a bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation and certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). ## Note: Persons eligible to sit for the national exam provided by the NCTRC may apply and be selected, but must obtain certification within the six-month probationary period.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques and equipment used in recreational therapy; of outdoor adventure/wilderness recreational activities; of the goals of recreational therapy and its interrelationship with other treatment programs; of the causes of abnormal behavior and behavior modification techniques; of human anatomy and physiology; of medical terminology; and of community based treatment programs. Ability is required to supervise and plan various types of recreational activities; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to exercise initiative and independent judgment; to work with mentally ill or physically handicapped clients; to motivate volunteer program aides; to interview and counsel patients; and to assess physical, social and behavioral abilities.

Special Requirements

Applicants must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position, possess a valid Oklahoma driver’s license at time of appointment and be willing to be on-call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The Office of Juvenile Affairs has determined that some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8.

Must be able to pass background check and drug screening.

A trial period of 12 months will be required.

Please call the Service Desk at 405-521-2444 if you have issues with accessing your Workday account.

For additional information/questions regarding the job posting, benefits and additional career opportunities, please contact Sheryl Liepins at 405-620-6495 or sheryl.liepins@oja.ok.gov.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

'Current State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions through their Workday account. Go to Careers app on WD home screen>Click on 'Find Jobs-Internal State of Oklahoma'.