Working Title: Recreation Therapist Senior
Job Class: Recreation Therapist Senior
Agency: Direct Care and Treatment
Job ID : 92043
Location : Willmar
Telework Eligible : No
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 02/07/2026
Closing Date : 02/23/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Direct Care and Treatment / DCT MAPE State Operated Svcs
Division/Unit : Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment Services / CABHS Willmar Clinical
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00am-4:30pm
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes; less than 5% for off-site meetings and to transport clients according to their treatment plans
Salary Range: $28.26 - $41.43 / hourly; $59,006 - $86,505 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCT does not participate in E-Verify.
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
This position may be eligible for relocation reimbursement
Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Hospital (CABHH) in Willmar has an opening for a Recreation Therapist Senior (RTSr) to work with kids receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment. We provide mental health services for children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 6-18) with serious behavioral and emotional conditions. Develop therapeutic relationships and engage with patients while prioritizing safety and aiding patients in progressing with their treatment plan goals and objectives. Maintain and provide a safe, clean, and therapeutic work environment for treatment.
The recreation therapist is responsible for a comprehensive range of clinical and administrative duties, including completing comprehensive assessments of a patient's physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual needs to inform the development of treatment plans. Based on these assessments, they design and implement goal-oriented therapeutic interventions and facilitate opportunities for meaningful recreation participation. To ensure the effectiveness of their work, they must also evaluate the outcomes of services and adjust treatment plans as needed. The therapist is ultimately accountable for the safety and effectiveness of all recreation therapy services. Beyond direct patient care, they also contribute to broader program management, which can include quality improvement projects and the management of equipment and supplies.
Primary Responsibilities Include:
Apply recreation therapy service delivery models and theories in the recreation therapy process including assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and documentation (APIE-D)
Provide group and individual recreation therapy interventions using a variety of evidence-based modalities to improve leisure functioning
Develop and communicate leisure-based interventions for multidisciplinary treatment planning that support symptom stabilization and discharge planning
Determine and modify treatment strategies to address evolving patient needs and interests
Minimum Qualifications
2 years of experience as a Recreation Therapist
OR
4 years of experience providing recreation therapy services. Experience must include at least 4 of the following:
Patient Assessment
Patient Treatment/Intervention Planning
Patient Outcome Evaluation/Tracking
Group Facilitation
Adaptation of Activities
Program Development
Caseload Management
OR
Current certification with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation (https://www.nctrc.org/) and;
6 months post-certification experience providing recreation therapy services
Education Substitution:
Associates degree in Recreation Therapy may substitute for six months experience providing recreation therapy services.
Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Park/Recreation & Leisure, Physical Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a highly related field may substitute for 1 year of experience providing recreation therapy services.
Master's degree in Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Park/Recreation & Leisure, Physical Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a highly related field may substitute for 18 months of experience providing recreation therapy services
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelors or Masters in therapeutic recreation/recreation therapy or leisure studies with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through National Council for Therapeutic Recreation with specialization area designation in behavioral health
Additional Requirements
To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS - Direct Care & Treatment will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.
Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) healthcare facilities require employees to provide documentation that they are free from tuberculosis (TB) through a blood test prior to employment. DCT does not accept TB skin testing.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
