Recreation Assistant

Recreational Therapist

Assists in planning and conducting recreational and rehabilitation activities for a group of individuals. Collaborates with treatment team members, community organizations, families, volunteers, and direct care staff to plan recreational and rehabilitation activities consistent with individuals' interests and therapeutic requirements; and facilitates therapeutic recreational programs as prescribed by the treatment team. Determines group interests, evaluates available and required resources, and adapts them to meet individuals' needs. Teaches or coaches individuals on sports, games, dancing, drama, exercise, and other group activities, and encourages participation. Instructs individuals on creative arts and crafts, and assists them with handling equipment and supplies. Observes and records individuals' responses to and participation in activities. Organizes and maintains rooms, equipment, decorations, supplies, entertainment, and other requirements to conduct activities. Reviews individuals' medical records and completes treatment planning documents in accordance with program standards and requirements.

Promotion: One year of service as a Direct Support Assistant, Developmental Disabilities Secure Care Treatment Aide 1, Licensed Practical Nurse, Mental Health Therapy Aide, Secure Care Treatment Aide 1, or Teaching Assistant and reachable for appointment on the current Civil Service Eligible List for this title.

Open Competitive: Two years of experience in providing direct care to individuals receiving care and/or treatment in facilities and programs.

Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive, non-competitive or 55-b/c status in the posted title and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1, 70.4, or 52.6 of Civil Service Law. The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.

To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website: careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/index.cfm.

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status.

Please note that starting salary for this title reflects the downstate adjustment. Posted Hiring Salary includes the sum of the statutory hiring rate for CSEA Grade 11 ($47,695) and Downstate Adjustment ($4,000). Downstate Adjustment is added to the job rate ($58,447).

If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee. For CSEA positions: Local Bidding Agreements will be honored.

Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume. All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.

If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit

Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA). If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io to obtain information and RA forms.

Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan. Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses. Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs. Life insurance and Disability insurance. The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.

Paid Holidays and Leave: Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year. Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially. Five (5) days paid personal leave each year. Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year. Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.

Health Care Coverage: Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.

Paid Parental Leave: Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.

Retirement Program: Participate in The NYS Employees' Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.

Professional Development and Education and Training: NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.

Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.

OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.