Recreational Therapist

Recreational Therapist

The County of Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time position for a Recreational Therapist in Santa Barbara for the Psychiatric Health Facility.

Salary: $31.77 - $37.97 Hourly; $66,079.52 - $78,969.28 Annually

This recruitment will remain open until filled. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis with the first review on Friday 3/13/2026.

Benefits include retirement reciprocity, time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate, and more.

About the Department: Founded in 1962, the mission of the Department of Behavioral Wellness is to promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction among individuals, families and communities, by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services.

The Position: Under general supervision, plans, organizes, and supervises medically approved recreation programs for psychiatric patients; monitors and evaluates patient progress; and performs related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Recreational Therapists oversee the treatment and program direction for patients assigned for recreational therapy and differ from Occupational Therapists, who oversee programs designed to provide practice in prevocational, vocational, sensorimotor, educational, social, and daily activity skills.

The Ideal Candidate will: work well independently and with a team, be flexible and able to adjust to change, demonstrate strong work ethic and integrity, possess time management skills, demonstrate great written and verbal communication skills, be self-motivated and take initiative.

Examples of Duties:

• Plans, organizes, and supervises daily activity programs for psychiatric patients; observes patient behavior for significant signs of health or illness to report to staff; leads individual and group recreation therapy sessions; provides patient safety and welfare during therapy sessions; and instructs and supervises patient use of equipment.
• As a member of treatment team, participates in development of patient's initial assessment, progress, treatment plans, and goals; selects appropriate activities for diagnostic and treatment needs; assists patients in establishing and accomplishing treatment goals; and writes reports describing patients' initial assessment, behavioral changes, progress, or regression.
• Coordinates recreational therapy orientation and programs with nursing staff; and recommends and oversees purchase of recreational therapy equipment.

Employment Standards: Possession of a bachelor's degree in recreation therapy or in recreation and leisure studies with a specialization in recreation therapy and eligibility for certification as a recreation therapist by the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification.

Additional Qualifications: Appointees must obtain certification as a recreation therapist by the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification within one year of appointment. Within six months of appointment, appointees must obtain a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate. Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required at the time of appointment. The ability to work weekends may be required.

Working Conditions: Some incumbents in this job classification work in a locked facility with patients who can be a danger to themselves and others. Incumbents will receive training in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) and must be able to restrain patients in crisis and other situations.

Application & Selection Process:

1. Review Application and supplemental questions to determine applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Applications that meet the employment standards will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score on the Supplemental Questionnaire and on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their application. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than eleven (11) qualified candidates.

Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule 6. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the examination, rank on the employment list, and duration of the employment list.

Veteran's Preference Points: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the closing date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidate's appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a Live Scan and background check which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice. Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.