Recreation Therapist (Gulfport, MS)



Recreation Therapist (Gulfport, MS)

Salary

$31,111.11 - $42,466.67 Annually

Location

24 - HARRISON COUNTY, MS

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

9272-0374-20250416HN

Department

0374 - MH-MS STATE HOSPITAL

Opening Date

04/17/2025

Closing Date

4/23/2025 11:59 PM Central

Agency Minimum Salary

$31,111.11

Agency Maximum Salary

$42,466.67

About the Agency

The mission of Specialized Treatment Facility (STF) is to promote and strengthen the mental health and the education of up to 48 adolescent males and females who are experiencing behavioral difficulties in their homes, schools, and communities. Employees are charged with the responsibility of furthering STF’s mission by exhibiting the core values that are at its heart: Teamwork, Respect, Compassion, Integrity, and Safety. Specialized Treatment Facility employs milieu therapy as the foundation for the treatment of its residents. Milieu therapy is a planned treatment environment in which everyday events and interactions are therapeutically designed for the purpose of enhancing social skills and building confidence. This therapy uses common structures familiar to all children, such as daily routines, consistent rules and activities. The Recreation staff are immediately supervised by the Therapeutic Therapist Team Lead (Supervisor). Contact Human Resources for more information (228)328-6000.

About the Position

Recreation staff are the first-level direct care position accountable for supervising the residents at STF in the recreation department. They provide supervision to residents in all recreational activities and across the campus as appropriate for the individual and the setting/activity to ensure safety and therapeutic goals are met. Recreation and sports promote development and healing for residents with mental and behavioral health challenges. Play offers residents multiple benefits for mental health and physical development. Through play with peers and counselors, residents are able to build trust and positive relationships with others. The residents are encouraged to partake in developmentally-appropriate activities. These activities allow residents to play and learn at their own pace. They also engage in structured skill-building to develop coping mechanisms that work for them. Recreation is incorporated into the resident’s daily schedules to match their individualized therapy. Activities are led by trained staff to meet the needs of each child. Responsibilities and Duties Recreation staff adhere to MS State, MS DMH, and STF policies and procedures while performing their job. Recreation staff participate in continuous learning. Recreation staff will provide instructions for residents and staff to engage, complete, or assist in scheduled activities. Recreation staff will encourage non-participating residents to keep score or referee games engaged in by participating residents or assist other duties correlating with the activity. Recreation staff plan, schedule, implement, and coordinate off campus outings and weekend activities according to Recreation’s policy and plan appropriate events, activities, and outings for each level earned. Recreation staff communicate with Resident Living Leadership about planned weekend activities and provide equipment according to the activity calendar. Recreation staff maintain the cleanliness of the gymnasium and ensure the equipment is good working order. Requisitions and supervises maintenance and care of recreational equipment. Supervises recreational building activities. Makes careful observations of residents and their reactions while participating in recreational activities. Assists in analyzing current programs and makes decisions relative to future activities. Maintains certifications in MANDT, CPR and first aid. Maintains a valid driver license and liability insurance to be a driver of a state vehicle. All STF employees are responsible for reading, understanding, and adhering to all policies, protocols, and memorandums. Universal Precautions and Infection Control policies must be adhered by all STF employees. Universal precautions were designed for doctors, nurses, patients, and healthcare workers who came into contact with patients and their bodily fluids. All healthcare workers are responsible for all aspects of care for the residents served at STF. Residential staff and Nurses must abide by standard precautions which applies to the care of all patients, irrespective of their disease state. These precautions apply when there is a risk of potential exposure to (1) blood; (2) all body fluids, secretions, and excretions, except sweat, regardless of whether or not they contain visible blood; (3) non-intact skin, and (4) mucous membranes. This includes hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE), with hand hygiene being the single most important means to prevent transmission of disease. Personal protective equipment serves as a barrier to protect the skin, mucous membranes, airway, and clothing. It includes gowns, gloves, masks, and face shields or goggles.

What you'll need to be Successful

Coping skills, which help people manage stress and anxiety without turning to substances. Skills in the use of relaxation skills, which help people relax or deal with stress without turning to substances. Skilled in problem-solving, which are required for activities such as playing a game or drawing a picture. Recreation therapists require several essential skills, including passion for recreation, creativity, adaptability, and leadership. Recreational therapy includes providing treatment services and recreation activities to individuals using a variety of techniques. Soft skills required for a therapeutic recreation assistant include communication skills, flexibility, and physical strength. Soft skills required for a therapeutic recreation specialist include compassion, listening skills, and speaking skills. Ability to coordinate team members so that plans and reviews are finalized according to policy/standards

Preferred Qualifications

Typically requires a bachelor’s degree and 3-4 years of experience. Hiring agency preferred qualifications: Requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 3-4 years of experience in recreation or recreation therapy.

Characteristics of Work

See MSPB Careers for information regarding this classifications

Health/Prescription Insurance
Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state’s health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
 
Wellness Benefits
Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
 
Life Insurance
All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee’s annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
 
Optional Insurances
Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
 
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.
 
 
Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave
Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
 
Military Leave
In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
 
Holidays
Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation’s celebrations with family and friends.
 
Retirement Programs
The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State’s retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement.   More detailed information regarding the State’s retirement program can be found at http://www.pers.state.ms.us
 
Deferred Compensation
State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
 
State Credit Union
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees’ Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
 
 Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
 
Career Development and Training
The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
 
Promotional Opportunities
Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
 
Career Ladders
Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual’s salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
 

01
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed from an accredited four-year college or university?
  • None
  • GED / High School Diploma
  • 30 semester hours
  • Associate's Degree / 60 semester hours
  • 90 semester hours
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • Specialist's Degree
  • Doctorate's Degree
02
How many years of experience do you have?
  • None
  • 1 year of experience
  • 2 years of experience
  • 3 years of experience
  • 4 years of experience
  • 5 years of experience
  • 6 years of experience
  • 7 years of experience
  • 8 years of experience
  • 9 years of experience
  • 10 years of experience
  • More than 10 years

Required Question

Employer
State of Mississippi
Address
210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201
Phone
601-359-1406
601-359-1406