Description

We are looking for a Recreational Therapist 2 to provide in-person, therapeutic recreational programs and services for residents of Echo Glen Children’s Center. You will assess, plan, develop, implement, and modify therapeutic recreation services to meet the individual needs of a co-educational offender population with varying degrees of mental health and security requirements, consistent with the Integrated Treatment Model and Dialectical/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. You will also perform interventions with youth to reduce the use of isolation and room confinement. This position is required to be on-site in order to provide appropriate services for youth.
Some of what you will do:

• Using evidence-based interventions, specifically, DBT, develop and procure programming specific to addressing egregious behaviors that would lead to room confinement.
• Work with programs to increase reinforcement opportunities to engage youth, and provide incentives to improve engagement in non-violent behavior.
• Attend to security responses for aggressive behaviors and provide the opportunity to remove non-aggressive youth from the unit and engage in programming to allow for de-escalation without confining other youth.
• Work in one or more skill areas, directing, conducting or instructing programs in sports, music, and arts and crafts.
• Perform therapeutic recreation assessments of residents, and plan, organize and implement therapeutic recreation Plan of Care to meet individual resident’s needs.
• Implement intervention techniques to bring about specific behavioral change or improvement in residents.
• Instruct residents in adapting to the recreational and community environment, organize and lead recreational therapy activities, and develop and present in-services to residents and staff in specialty areas.
• Provide feedback to residents on progress and complete evaluations for an educational program.
• Assist in securing resources and equipment for assigned area.
• Work with youth to provide opportunities for them to interact with different people and in different environments, in order to promote skill generalization.
• Serve as back-up for residential counselor and respond to emergent situations.
• Operate state motor vehicles to transport.

What we're looking for:
Graduation from an accredited Therapeutic Recreation Program AND 18 months of professional therapeutic recreation experience.
OR
Equivalent education/experience.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Demonstrated understanding of adolescent development and juvenile rehabilitation practices and principles.
• Experience providing cognitive/behavioral therapeutic interventions.
• Demonstrated competency in relating to clients from diverse backgrounds and cultural groups.
• Expertise in providing services to urban youth and have an understanding of juvenile offender behavior.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of group and individual therapeutic recreation, including specialized knowledge and training in aquatics and arts and crafts, music, and sports.
• Knowledge of principles of supervision, techniques of observing clients and making oral and written reports, training techniques, and humanities and behavioral sciences.

Supplemental Information:
**Per Governor Inslee's Directive 22-13.1 (Download PDF reader) state employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status, having an approved medical accommodation, or having an approved religious accommodation. No start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation**

Applicants selected for an interview will be required to pass a national fingerprint background check and complete a questionnaire mandated by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) inquiring about any sexual misconduct. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

To take advantage of Veteran's preference please attach your DD-214, member 4 long-form, or your NGB-22. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.

The initial screening will be based on the content and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. Applications with comments such as "see attachments" or "N/A" in the supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.

DCYF is an equal opportunity employer and supports equity, diversity, inclusion, and respect.

Need accommodation throughout the application/interview process? Unable to apply online? Contact the Recruitment team at dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov or (360) 688-3529 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388

Experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application? Call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

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