What are the responsibilities and job description for the Therapeutic Activities Worker - SCI Waymart position at Commonwealth of PA?
THE POSITION
The Department of Corrections, State Correctional Institution (SCI) Waymart is seeking a highly motivated Therapeutic Activities Worker to join our team. In this role, you will help guide inmates through activities that support growth and stability. This position brings you into a collaborative team where your creativity and dedication matter every day. If you have the required experience as indicated below, and wish to explore a rewarding career that offers the opportunity to share your skills while earning a great salary and benefits, the PA Department of Corrections wants to hear from you!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position supports therapeutic activity programming within specialized housing units and works closely with a multi-disciplinary team. The role focuses on planning, conducting, and evaluating structured activities that contribute to inmate treatment plans. As a Therapeutic Activities Worker, you will perform the following duties:
- Team Collaboration: Participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and offer recommendations for therapeutic activities
- Assessment Support: Assist other disciplines in evaluating inmate functioning for individualized treatment plans
- Progress Monitoring: Track and report inmate progress toward activity-based goals
- Activity Development: Create therapeutic activity goals, objectives, and methods for both individual and group programming
- Program Delivery: Conduct activities and assessments while providing instruction, direction, and support to inmates
- Resource Coordination: Request supplies, schedule space, and organize equipment for program operations
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment, 40-hour work week
- Work hours are 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch.
- This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
- Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
- Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree with major coursework in therapeutic recreation; physical education; vocational rehabilitation; vocational education or counseling; art, music, dance, or occupational therapies; or a related human services field; or
- Four years of experience providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training.
- Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credit.
Other Requirements:
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Legal Requirement:
- You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.
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Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
- Eligibility rules apply.
Benefits:
Health Insurance, Vacation & Paid Time Off, Retirement PlanSalary : $56,541 - $86,022