DSHS ESH Recreation Specialist 4

State of Washington; Medical Lake (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% premium on-site pay

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

State of Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services is seeking a Recreation Specialist 4 to lead a comprehensive on‑site recreation program at Eastern State Hospital. You will supervise staff, plan activities across sports, arts, and social programs, and work with clinical teams to support patient rehabilitation.

The role emphasizes leadership, program planning, and collaboration to deliver engaging activities that promote social, emotional, and physical growth for patients in care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation, therapeutic recreation, or equivalent.
• Three years of professional recreation experience, including one year in a supervisory capacity.
• Two additional years in recreational or intramural sports may substitute for the education requirement.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and coordinate recreation activities to meet patients' needs and abilities.
• Assign and supervise staff across program areas to ensure well‑rounded activities.
• Lead groups when needed and participate in patient rehabilitation goals with clinical staff.
• Interview applicants and participate in hiring decisions for recreation positions.
• Train new staff and monitor quality of work.
• Develop schedules and manage leave requests for the team.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations and address disciplinary actions as needed.
• Collaborate with clinical staff to align recreation with treatment goals.
• Evaluate equipment and supplies and process purchases.

Skills

Leadership

Program planning

Crisis response

Behavioral health knowledge

Communication

Collaboration

Equity & cultural competence

Composure

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation or related field

Job description

Recreation Specialist 4 (Recreation & Athletics Specialist 4)

At Eastern State Hospital, recreation is part of how patients heal. We are hiring or a Recreation Specialist 4 to lead that work. You'll plan and direct a full recreation program, from sports and music to arts, drama, and other social activities, and guide the team of Recreation & Athletics Specialists who deliver it each day.

This is a hands‑on leadership role. You'll supervise staff, step in to lead groups yourself when needed, and work closely with the clinical treatment team to shape activities around each patient's care and rehabilitation goals. The programs you build give patients real chances to grow their social, emotional, and physical skills, skills that carry into their recovery well beyond the activity room.

You’ll also keep the program running day to day: building schedules, hiring and training new staff, evaluating equipment needs, and making sure every patient has access to activities that fit their interests and abilities.

Opportunities performed on‑site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.
See why others like you choose to work at DSHS:

Some of what you'll do:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate recreation activities that meet patients' specific and general needs, interests, and abilities.
• Assign and supervise Recreation & Athletics Specialists across program areas to keep activities well‑rounded and effective.
• Step in to lead recreation groups and activities when a Recreation & Athletics Specialist is unavailable.
• Interview applicants and recommend hiring decisions for open recreation positions.
• Train new recreation staff and check the quality of their work.
• Build work schedules and act on leave requests for the recreation team.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations and recommend disciplinary action when needed.
• Meet with clinical and program staff to build recreation programs that support each patient's treatment and rehabilitation goals.
• Evaluate recreation equipment and supply needs, and recommend and process purchases.
• Watch for behavior that may need immediate staff intervention and respond appropriately.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:

• Leadership: Guides and supervises recreation staff, assigns work, and holds the team accountable for quality programs.
• Program planning: Builds recreation activities across many areas, including sports, music, drama, arts and crafts, and social activities, to meet a wide range of patient needs.
• Crisis response: Recognizes signs of escalating behavior and steps in early to de‑escalate situations safely.
• Behavioral health knowledge: Applies knowledge of mental illness and recovery principles to shape recreation programs that support patient treatment goals.
• Communication: Explains plans and decisions clearly to management, peers, patients, and the public.
• Collaboration: Works with clinical and program staff to align recreation activities with each patient's overall care plan.
• Equity and cultural competence: Plans recreation programs that reflect and respect the backgrounds and needs of a culturally diverse patient population.
• Composure: Manages personnel conflicts and difficult patient interactions in a calm, professional manner.

Who should apply?

A bachelor's degree involving major study in either (a) recreation, therapeutic recreation, or equivalent, (b) music, drama, or physical education, or (c) psychology, sociology or education with a minor in recreation, physical education, music or drama.
AND
Three years of professional recreation experience*, including one year in a supervisory capacity, program planning or administration. Two years of additional experience in recreational or intramural sports programs may substitute for the educational requirements.
OR
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all desirable qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

*Note: Recreational therapy includes providing individualized assessments and treatment which are goal‑oriented and directed towards rehabilitation and modification of specific physical, emotional, mental or social behaviors.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. 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 announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725‑5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nap?) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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