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Senior Recreation Therapist (NY HELPS), Buffalo Psychiatric Center, P26110

New York State Office of Mental Health
Buffalo, NY Full Time
POSTED ON 4/22/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/21/2026
Duties Description

Buffalo Psychiatric Center is currently recruiting a Senior Recreation Therapist to provide therapeutic and rehabilitative recreation services to individuals with mental illness. Candidates from outside or within State Service can apply.

As a Senior Recreation Therapist, you will develop, implement, and deliver recreation therapy services including:

  • Modifying activities based on the individuals’ physical activity and/or rehabilitative needs
  • Observing and recording individuals’ progress, responses, and behaviors
  • Maintaining records and documentation in accordance with program standards and requirements
  • Designing and administering individual and group programs

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates from outside or within State Service can be considered for hire under the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement – Statewide (NY HELPS) program as a Senior Recreation Therapist if they have either:

  • Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, creative arts therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, 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 2 years of post-degree professional experience in planning and administering a therapeutic program which involved developing and coordinating therapeutic activities for a geriatric population, or individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, mental illness, physical disabilities, addiction, or substance use disorders; or
  • Master's degree in therapeutic recreation, creative arts therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, 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 1 year of post-degree professional experience as described above.
  • Substitution: Licensure and current registration as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) in New York State; certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC); registration as an Art Therapist with the American Art Therapy Association; registration as a Dance/Movement Therapist with the North American Dance Therapy Association; certification as a Music Therapist by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT); and registration as a Registered Drama Therapist by the North American Drama Therapy Association can substitute for one year of post-degree professional experience.

OR

Candidates from outside or within State Service can be considered for a competitive class appointment if they are reachable on the current Senior Recreation Therapist eligible list.

OR

Candidates within State Service can be considered transfer to a competitive class position if they have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.

OR

In accordance with Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law, this notice advises all employees of the Office of Mental Health of our intention to conduct a non-competitive promotion examination for the position of Senior Recreation Therapist at Buffalo Psychiatric Center. Permanent appointment may be made by non-competitive promotion of an applicant who meets the position’s minimum qualifications if all requirements of non-competitive promotion are met.

The promotion field for the Senior Recreation Therapist position consists of candidates who have 1 year of permanent service as a Recreation Therapist.

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.

Salary : $63,361 - $80,655

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