WDVA Recreation & Athletics Specialist 1, On-Call, Spokane Veterans Home

We are excited to announce we are now hiring for the position of Recreation and Athletics Specialist 1, On-Call, at the Spokane Veterans Home! If you are ready to directly contribute to the well-being of our Veterans, then please bring your passion and apply today

Please note: This is an On-Call position. “On-call” is defined as positions where the work is intermittent in nature, is sporadic and does not fit a particular pattern. On-Call employees are utilized to support operational staffing needs. Shifts for on-call staff are scheduled on a rotational basis. The on-call expectations for this position requires that staff be available to work as needed, with a minimum availability of three shifts per week, on two different shifts. This position is not eligible for telework.

*This position has been posted within the assigned pay range through Step L. Step M has not been published as this is considered the longevity step, in alignment with state HR compensation rules.
 
Updated as of July 1, 2025: This position is eligible for "Supplement Basic Shift Premium" for 24/7 Facilities. Employees who are assigned to a facility that provides direct care to residents, patients, and/or clients and whose duties are required to be performed on location will receive an additional one dollar ($1.00) per hour of supplemental basic shift premium for each hour of basic shift premium. This shift premium does not apply to overtime hours. The supplemental basic shift premium shall expire on June 29, 2027.
 

At the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for nearly 500,000 Veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to Veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star Families.

As a Recreation & Athletic Specialist 1 you will have interactions with residents and their families, staff, volunteers and the public in general. The Recreation Therapy Department uses activities to enhance health, growth, development and independence through intrinsically rewarding leisure behavior. Recreation Therapy provides treatment designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a person's level of functioning and independence in life activities, to promote health and wellness, as well as reduce or eliminate the activity limitations and restrictions to participate in life situations caused by an illness or disabling condition.
 
Bring your experience and passion to promote health and wellness, and apply today to serve America's heroes!

Some of what you will do:

• Provide input for the activity calendar each month including a balance program of physical, social, cognitive, emotional, creative and fun activities.  Include a balance of large group, small group and 1:1 visits. Plan for holidays and special events.

• Support Recreation Department by assisting with special events and parties that are planned. (i.e. Father's Day Barbeque, Christmas, celebrations, Memorial services, Veterans holiday programs, etc)

• Arrange monthly entertainment for resident birthday parties. 

• Write quarterly, annual and change of therapy notes to help assess individuals’ progress towards recreation therapy goals. Communicate with interdisciplinary care team resident preference and goals.

• Operate facility wheelchair accessible buses and other facility vehicles: Driving residents to/from outings. Ensure that seatbelts and all other safety harnesses/belts/apparitions are engaged for the resident’s safety while in the vehicle. 

• Communicate supplies needed; notify other disciplines of impacts to their programs; 

• Works with volunteers assigned to recreation programs.

• Setting up/cleaning up for programs, decorating, moving tables, pushing residents in wheelchairs to/from activities throughout the whole building, 

• Engage in scheduled activities with the residents for optimum participation. For example bowling, yoga, bingo, crosswords, crafts, and entertainment. 

• Invite, encourage and assist residents to programs. 

• Decorate facility in conjunction with holidays and seasons. 

• And so much more!

*Please request Position Description for full list of duties

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree involving major study in either (a) recreation, (b) music, drama or physical education or (c) psychology, sociology or education with a minor in recreation, physical education, music or drama.

OR

• Three (3) years of experience as a recreational assistant.

OR

• Two (2) years of college in recreation or equivalent. Two (2) years of work experience in recreational or intramural sports programs may substitute for the educational requirements.

OR

• Equivalent education/experience related to knowledge and experience in facilitation therapeutic recreation programs and conducting sensory 1 to 1 session.

AND

• A valid Driver's license.
• Agency Required Competencies for all positions:
  • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications: 

• Knowledge and experience in facilitating therapeutic recreation group programs.
• Food Handler’s Card

Special Requirements:

• Must comply with annual Tuberculin Screening in accordance with DVA policy 670.000 Tuberculosis Testing.
• Requires medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the Washington Industrial Safety and Act standards. Must be able to wear a respirator, medical gloves, gowns, eye protection, and other personal protection as required by a job or task.
• Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs. and be capable of reaching a minimum of 36" using proper technique to stock shelves and access supplies. Employee must also be able to push or pull with sufficient strength and walk, sit, and bend in an unrestricted manner during the entire workday.
• Must maintain regular and reliable attendance and be willing to work as needed.
• Must successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory annual, in-service, and other required training.
• Must become familiar and comply with all DVA policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.
• Must sign the confidentiality statement for all employees.
• Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• Candidates who are offered a job with WDVA must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

Application Process:  
 The top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described in this job posting.

Please include the following documents with your application:
   1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.
   2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
  
Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Other Information:

• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
   
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.
  
The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.  
   
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.
  
If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.

Salary : $19 - $25