Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must be reachable for appointment from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list.
OR
Transfer Opportunity - Candidates must currently be permanent as a Senior Recreation Therapist and be eligible for transfer;
OR
be eligible for transfer via Section 70.1 of Civil Service Law. To qualify for Section 70.1 transfer, candidates must have at least one year of permanent status in a title approved for transfer by Civil Service within two salary grades of the Grade 17 level.
Provisional Opportunity –
In the event that there is not a valid eligible list, candidates who meet the following qualifications may be qualified for a provisional appointment:
Open Competitive:
EITHER
a master's degree in therapeutic recreation, creative arts therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, or drama therapy;
OR
a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, creative arts therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, or drama therapy, AND one year of post-degree professional experience in planning and administering a therapeutic program which involved developing and coordinating therapeutic activities for geriatric patients/residents, individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with psychiatric disabilities, individuals who are physically challenged, or individuals in treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse;
OR
a bachelor's degree in recreation, physical education, adaptive physical education, art, dance, music, drama, recreation education with a concentration in therapeutic recreation, or recreation and leisure studies with a concentration in therapeutic recreation AND two years of post-degree professional experience as described above;1
OR
have one year of post-degree professional experience as described above AND be one of the following:

• Certified as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
• Registered with the American Art Therapy Association as an Art Therapist.
• Registered with the American Dance Therapy Association as a Dance Therapist.
• Certified by the American Music Therapy Association as a Music Therapist.
• Registered by the National Association for Drama Therapy as a Registered Drama Therapist.

1 Substitution: A master's degree in adaptive physical education, art, dance, music, drama, recreation education with a concentration in therapeutic recreation, or recreation and leisure studies with a concentration in therapeutic recreation may be substituted for one year of the post degree professional experience described above.
Promotional:
Candidates must be a qualified employee of New York State and have had one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in one of the following titles:
as a Recreation Therapist, Recreation Therapist (Spanish Language), Recreation Therapist (Art), Recreation Therapist (Dance), or Recreation Therapist (Music).
If you are appointed provisionally, you must take the next scheduled Civil Service examination for this title and your score must be reachable on the resulting eligible list before you can be permanently appointed. If you do not pass the examination or achieve a reachable score, you may not be retained.
Duties Description
As a Senior Recreation Therapist, you would design, develop, implement, and deliver recreational therapy services to affect the physical, mental, and/or social well-being of patients/consumers residing and/or receiving treatment at state-operated facilities, clinics, community residences, and/or other State operated programs. Incumbents are responsible for the organization and direction of one or more therapeutic recreation programs including, but not limited to, sports, dance, drama, music, art, and social activities. Incumbents may also supervise lower level Recreation Therapists as well as other recreation program staff in the design, development, and/or delivery of recreation therapy services.
Additional Comments
All OMH employees receive a generous benefits package including:

• NYS medical, dental, & vision insurance
• Access to tuition assistance programs
• Excellent opportunities for advancement & professional growth
• Paid time off – 13 paid vacation days in the first year, 5 paid personal days, 13 paid holidays, & paid sick leave
• NYS Retirement programs

Background checks will be required.