Therapeutic Recreation Specialist 1-3B
Salary
$2,652.00 - $4,779.00 Monthly
Location
Jackson, LA
Job Type
Classified
Job Number
ELMHS7.22.26TRS
Department
LDH-Office of Behavioral Health
Opening Date
07/22/2026
Closing Date
7/27/2026 11:59 PM Central
About this Job
Division: Within the Rehabilitation Department at ELMHS, Located in Jackson, LA
The Mission of ELMHS is to provide mental health evaluation, treatment, habilitation, and consultation for adults. Programs include inpatient interventions, jail-based evaluations, supervised group home and residential programs, forensic evaluation, care, custody, and aftercare; intermediate and long-term psychiatric care are coordinated with the total system of care in Louisiana.
ELMHS is looking for a motivated, detail-oriented individual to join the team in the Rehabilitation Department as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist! Here, you will make a difference by providing therapeutic recreation services to clients assigned to a Ward/Unit. The selected candidate will provide therapeutic recreation services by assessing patients, developing and leading individualized and group treatment programs, collaborating with interdisciplinary care teams, and supporting patient rehabilitation, independence, and overall well-being.
Minimum Qualifications
Four years of experience as a teacher, instructor, or counselor in a recreational program; OR
A bachelors degree in a rehabilitation, recreation, or therapy field, a physical education field, or psychology; OR
Possession of certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in accordance with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:
In this role, you will:
Provide therapeutic recreation services to clients assigned to a Ward/Unit, assess new clients within 7 working days of admission, and assist in planning and establishing a daily, weekly, and monthly recreation schedule for assigned patients.
Work with other recreation staff and other disciplines to coordinate, plan, schedule, and carry out activities with other client units and specifically develop programs for individual patients and groups of patients.
Conduct various therapeutic groups and activities geared towards meeting specific treatment goals and objectives and provide therapeutic groups and activities to enhance the patients' abilities and independence, teaching them new skills and attitudes while promoting good health and growth.
Administer individual treatments as ordered by the physician and carry out programs/activities through consultation with other professional staff, supervisor(s), and with consideration of the patients' needs, condition, and suitability.
Participate as an active member of the Ward/Unit/Building treatment team and substitute for other recreational staff when they are unable to attend treatment meetings.
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: Probational, Permanent, or Detail
Career Progression Group: Therapeutic Recreation Specialist 1, 2, or 3B, depending on experience.
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
Contact Information:
For further information about this vacancy, contact:
Leigh Moore
ELMHS HR
ELMHS-HR@LA.GOV
225-634-0680
Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.
As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/
Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx
Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
Retirement - State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):
01
Are you a current employee at Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System?
02
Have you ever been on probation or sentenced to jail/prison as a result of a felony conviction or guilty plea to a felony charge?
03
If YES, give the law enforcement authority (city police, sheriff, FBI, etc), the offense, place and disposition of case. If NO, enter N/A.
04
Do you possess a bachelors degree in a rehabilitation, recreation, or therapy field, a physical education field, or psychology?
05
Do you have a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification?
Required Question
Employer State of Louisiana
Address 1201 N 3rd St
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802
Phone (866) 783-5462
Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/louisiana/default.cfm