Job Description and Duties

Please be advised of the following additional pay benefits individuals may be eligible for:

• This classification is subject to Section 5, Hiring-Above-Minimum (HAM) Authorization of the California State Civil Service Pay Scales. The authorized HAM rate for this classification is $8,892.

• Effective May 01, 2022, employees in this class, employed within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and who are physically located at and assigned to the Psychiatric Inpatient Program, shall receive a pay differential equivalent to 15% of their monthly base pay.

• Only employees who provide direct patient care, treating patients' in-person, on grounds or at a facility more than 50% of the pay period, are eligible for this pay differential.

• Please Note: Individuals may be eligible to receive a $10,000 one-time recruitment and retention stipend should they meet the eligibility criteria, including but not limited to remaining employed with CCHCS for six months. Additionally, individuals may be eligible to receive a monthly recruitment and retention differential during their first year with CCHCS (totaling $5,000), should they meet the eligibility criteria.

IMPORTANT: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) employees may be eligible for a $5,000 referral bonus should you be selected for hire, and remain employed with CCHCS for 90 days. For a CDCR/CCHCS employee to be considered, please follow the link below and complete the questionnaire to the best of your knowledge, including the referring employee's name, classification, PERNR, and work location.

Link to Survey: Click Here

Under the general direction of the Senior Psychologist, Correctional Facility (CF) (Supervisor) or Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker I, CF, the Recreation Therapist (RT), CF develops, implements, and evaluates therapeutic recreation programs for patients within California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation institutions. The RT, CF instructs and motivates patients in individual and group recreation therapy, monitors and documents treatment progress, and works with other health care providers to share recreational therapy assessment information and incorporate therapeutic recreational activities into treatment plans. The RT, CF maintains order and supervises the conduct of patients to protect and maintain the safety of persons and property.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Equivalent to graduation from a recognized college with major work in recreation or recreation therapy. The major must have included supervised field work. (Registration as a senior will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent and completion of the required field work before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)

To obtain list eligibility for the Recreation Therapist, before applying for the position, you must first take and pass the examination: CalCareers