What are the responsibilities and job description for the Activity Therapy Specialist 1 position at Ohio Department of Veterans Services?
ALL THE GOOD STUFF!
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
** The schedule/hours are flexible based on the scheduled activities and trips per needs of the residents of Dom Activities Department & Nursing Home Activities Department.**
Helpful Tips
Application Procedures
The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA Services. The Ohio Department of Veterans Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status and/or military status in employment or the provision of services.
NOTE: Those who are contacted for an interview should inform the Ohio Veterans Home Office of Human Resources as soon as possible if, as a result of a disability, they will need an accommodation to participate in any phase of the interview process. Such notice will not affect your eligibility to apply for this position.
Completion of associate degree in recreation or specialty area (e.g., music, art, drama); 12 mos. exp. in Activity Therapy; valid drivers’ license. Note: must have certification in animal-assisted therapy if utilizing trained animals for therapeutic goal reaching purposes.
Organization
Veterans Services Sandusky
Agency Contact Name and Information
Hailey Ivory, Hailey.Ivory@dvs.ohio.gov
Unposting Date
Jul 10, 2026, 8:59:00 PM
Work Location
Veteran Services - Sandusky
Primary Location
United States of America-OHIO-Erie County-Sandusky
Compensation
$22.59/hr
Schedule
Full-time
Work Hours
0800-1630
Classified Indicator
Classified
Union
OCSEA
Technical Skills
Basic Documentation, Arts, Customer Service, Parks and Recreation, Therapy/Therapeutical Services
Professional Skills
Building Trust, Creativity, Motivating Others, Teamwork, Time Management
Agency Overview
It is our honor and privilege to provide comfort and care to Ohio's heroes — wartime veterans from all across the state and all branches of service.
WHO ARE WE?
The Ohio Veterans Homes, part of Ohio Department of Veterans Services, are trauma-informed care long-term care focused on providing excellent care to Ohio’s Veterans. The Veteran Homes provide direct nursing home care at facilities in Sandusky and Georgetown as well as domiciliary living to qualified veterans in Sandusky. We aim to maintain an inclusive work environment and commit ourselves to develop talented, inclusive, and dedicated employees.
To learn more about us, visit https://dvs.ohio.gov/what-we-do/work-at-odvs
- Starting Hourly Pay – $22.59
- Multiple scheduled pay increases over your years of service
- Longevity increases start at your fifth year and grows as long as you stay with the State of Ohio
- Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,000 annually
- Incredible Medical Coverage begins the 1st of the month following your Start Date
- Free Dental & Vision After 1 Year
- Generous Benefits Package Including Vacation, Sick, Holiday, and Personal Leave
- Retirement/pension, deferred compensation, credit union benefits available
- View our full benefits package on https://careers.ohio.gov/why-work-for-state-of-ohio
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Organizes, plans & conducts empowerment activities to promote high self-esteem & self-respect (e.g., crafts, wood shop, sing-a-longs, cooking, gardening); maintenance activities designed to promote physical, cognitive, social, spiritual & emotional health (e.g., exercise, sports activities & events, reminiscing, current events, word games) & supportive activities to promote a comfortable environment with stimulation & solace for low functioning residents (e.g., soft music, sensory stimulation, aroma therapy, nature videos)
- Monitors nursing home residents participating in activities both individually or in group
- Assists supervisor in establishing goals & objectives for department & is instrumental in working to obtain goals set
- Develops & evaluates activity portion of Plan of Care (e.g., interviews residents for initial activity assessment record; updates activity assessments as required; completes Minimum Data Set (MDS) on each resident; completes discharge summaries) updating progress as needed
- Plans & conducts outings, social events & special programs
- Escorts/transports residents during shopping trips, outings & activities off grounds & is often solely responsible for these residents
- Plans monthly calendar of events & activities
- Orients, trains & supervises volunteers assigned to activity area
- Prepares & maintains work related documentation (e.g., routine & special reports on resident activities)
- Maintains record of resident attendance, memos & reports
** The schedule/hours are flexible based on the scheduled activities and trips per needs of the residents of Dom Activities Department & Nursing Home Activities Department.**
Helpful Tips
Application Procedures
- To be considered for this position, you must apply on-line through this posting website. (We no longer accept paper applications.)
- When completing your online Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet each minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting.
- We cannot give you credit for your qualifications, experience, education and training in the job selection process if you do not provide it in your online application.
- You can check the status of your application anytime by signing into your profile on this website.
- We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application.
The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA Services. The Ohio Department of Veterans Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status and/or military status in employment or the provision of services.
NOTE: Those who are contacted for an interview should inform the Ohio Veterans Home Office of Human Resources as soon as possible if, as a result of a disability, they will need an accommodation to participate in any phase of the interview process. Such notice will not affect your eligibility to apply for this position.
Completion of associate degree in recreation or specialty area (e.g., music, art, drama); 12 mos. exp. in Activity Therapy; valid drivers’ license. Note: must have certification in animal-assisted therapy if utilizing trained animals for therapeutic goal reaching purposes.
- Or completion of undergraduate core program in recreation or specialty area (e.g., music, art, drama); valid drivers’ license.
- Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
Organization
Veterans Services Sandusky
Agency Contact Name and Information
Hailey Ivory, Hailey.Ivory@dvs.ohio.gov
Unposting Date
Jul 10, 2026, 8:59:00 PM
Work Location
Veteran Services - Sandusky
Primary Location
United States of America-OHIO-Erie County-Sandusky
Compensation
$22.59/hr
Schedule
Full-time
Work Hours
0800-1630
Classified Indicator
Classified
Union
OCSEA
Technical Skills
Basic Documentation, Arts, Customer Service, Parks and Recreation, Therapy/Therapeutical Services
Professional Skills
Building Trust, Creativity, Motivating Others, Teamwork, Time Management
Agency Overview
It is our honor and privilege to provide comfort and care to Ohio's heroes — wartime veterans from all across the state and all branches of service.
WHO ARE WE?
The Ohio Veterans Homes, part of Ohio Department of Veterans Services, are trauma-informed care long-term care focused on providing excellent care to Ohio’s Veterans. The Veteran Homes provide direct nursing home care at facilities in Sandusky and Georgetown as well as domiciliary living to qualified veterans in Sandusky. We aim to maintain an inclusive work environment and commit ourselves to develop talented, inclusive, and dedicated employees.
To learn more about us, visit https://dvs.ohio.gov/what-we-do/work-at-odvs