Therapeutic Activities Aide

Therapeutic Activities Aide

Salary

$39,287.00 - $57,772.00 Annually

Location

Erie County, PA

Job Type

Non-Civil Service Permanent Full-time

Job Number

N-2026-60691

Department

Department of Military & Veterans Affairs

Division

MV Nrsg Soldiers Sailors

Opening Date

10/19/2026

Closing Date

10/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

31360

Position Number

50615461

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

N1

Pay Group

ST03

Bureau / Division Code

00134180

Bureau / Division

Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home

Worksite Address

560 East 3rd Street

City

Erie, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

16507

Contact Name

Robert Orton

Contact Phone

814.878.4922

Contact Email

rorton@pa.gov

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

THE POSITION

Join the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as a Therapeutic Activities Aide and help brighten the daily lives of residents at the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home. This role allows you to support meaningful activities that encourage social connection, personal growth, and enjoyment. Each day brings new opportunities to make a positive impact on the well-being of our residents. Apply today-your energy and compassion are exactly what we need to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere!

Click here to learn more about the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This role focuses on supporting planned activities that help residents maintain and strengthen their physical, social, and cognitive abilities. It involves preparing programs, assisting residents, coordinating resources, and maintaining a safe and supportive environment. As a Therapeutic Activities Aide, you will perform the following duties:

• Activity Support: Assist in planning and leading recreational and educational activities for residents
• Resident Engagement: Guide and encourage residents during group and individual programs
• Safe Transport: Escort residents to and from activities and ensure safe transfers and mobility assistance
• Supply Management: Maintain activity supplies and prepare needed materials ahead of scheduled programs
• Behavior Observation: Observe residents and report participation, progress, and concerns to supervisors
• Team Participation: Attend meetings and training sessions to support coordinated resident care

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 80 hours biweekly
• Work hours are 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM, every other weekend, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Six months of experience as an Aide Trainee (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Six months of work experience providing care to individuals requiring assistance with daily activities; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirement:

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Willingness to work a full-time schedule
• College coursework in behavioral sciences
• Therapeutic Activity Aide experience in a commonwealth facility
• Experience working in physical, recreational, or occupational therapy
• Experience working with therapeutic activities such as leading community activities and events
• Experience working in a long-term care facility

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
• Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning

We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance

We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture

We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks

Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.

01

Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Aide Trainee for six months or more full-time?

• Yes
• No

02

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

03

How much full-time work experience do you possess providing care to individuals requiring assistance with daily activities?

• 6 months or more
• Less than 6 months
• None

04

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

05

How many semester credits of college coursework have you successfully completed?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• 15 credits or more
• Less than 15 credits
• None

06

Have you successfully completed a Nurse Aide or Nursing Assistant certification program?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• Yes
• No

07

Have you completed workshop training or continuing education classes that related to human services?

If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• Yes
• No

08

You will receive further communication regarding this position, to include scheduling interviews, non-selection, etc., via email. Please check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices. Have you read and understand the above statement?

• Yes
• No

09

Preferred Qualification - This is a full-time position. Are you willing to work a full-time schedule?

• Yes
• No

10

Preferred Qualification - Have you completed any college coursework in the behavioral sciences? If so, please attach a copy of your college transcript to your application.

• Yes (attach transcript)
• No

11

Preferred Qualification - How many years of experience do you have as a Therapeutic Activity Aide in a Commonwealth facility?

• 1+ years
• Less than 1 year
• None

12

Preferred Qualification - How many years of paid experience do you have in the field of physical, recreational, or occupational therapy?

• 3+ years
• 2- less than 3 years
• 1- less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

13

Please provide the dates and employer where you gained paid experience that you have in the field of physical, recreational, or occupational therapy? (Type N/A if not applicable.)

14

Preferred Qualification - How many years of paid experience do you have related to therapeutic activities such as leading community activities and/or events (i.e., church groups, coaching, team sports, music, arts and craft)?

• 3+ years
• 2- less than 3 years
• 1- less than 2
• Less than 1 year
• None

15

Please provide the dates and employer where you gained paid experience related to therapeutic activities such as leading community activities and/or events (i.e., church groups, coaching, team sports, music, arts and craft)?

16

Preferred Qualifications - How many years of experience do you have working in a long-term care facility?

• 3+ years
• 2- less than 3 years
• 1- less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

17

Preferred Qualification - Please provide the dates and employer where you gained experience working in a long-term care facility.

Required Question

Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

Website http://www.employment.pa.gov