Recreation Therapist

Salary: $26,185.60 - $31,422.72 Annually
Location : 37 - LAMAR COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9271-0372-20260723L
Department: 0372 - MH-EAST MS STATE HOSPITAL
Opening Date: 07/29/2026
Closing Date: 8/5/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $26,185.60
Agency Maximum Salary: $31,422.72
About the Agency: South Mississippi State Hospital in Purvis is an acute care, regional behavioral program with the primary purpose to offer a continuum of services for adults with mental illness within the patient's region of residence. The closer proximity allows family, friends, and community to more actively support the treatment, recover, and aftercare of the patient. South Mississippi State Hospital serves Lamar, Forrest, Marion, Perry, Greene, Wayne, Jones, Covington, Jefferson Davis, Pearl River, Stone, Hancock, Harrison, George, Jackson, Pike, Walthall, Lawrence, Franklin, and Amite counties. To inquire about this position, please contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.
About the Position: First-level Professional position accountable for planning, directing, and coordinating complex recreation-based or music-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries or illnesses. Accountable for assessing patients, performing treatment planning, facilitating activities, using and maintaining therapy equipment, and maintaining documentation. Work at this level allows for wide latitude of individual initiative and program planning; however, it must be coordinated with other programs and services. Directs the work of lower-level vocational positions. This position does work with adult psychiatric patients on a daily basis.This position is Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm.
What you'll need to be Successful: Integrity, attention to detail, punctuality, organization skills, teamwork, professionalism, excellent and effective communication skills, problem solving skills, ability to multi-task, dependability, ability to conduct oneself in an ethical manner, ability to maintain confidentiality, and compassion.
Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree and 0-2 years of experience. Hiring agency qualifications:* Requires a Bachelor's Degree* Requires Valid Driver's License and Proof of Auto Insurance


No available description
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
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 View phone number on click.appcast.io.
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


How many years of related experience do you have? (Refer to the job posting for an explanation of related experience.)

• No experience
• 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

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What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?

• None
• Mississippi Occupational Diploma (MOD)
• GED / High School
• 1 year / 30 semester hours
• Associate's Degree / 2 years / 60 semester hours
• 3 years / 90 semester hours
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Specialist Degree
• Doctorate Degree

Required Question