Institutional Recreation Leader I

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Hopkinsville (KY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky is seeking an Institutional Recreation Leader I to support WesternState Hospital in Hopkinsville. The role plans and conducts therapeutic recreation activities for patients, documents progress, and participates in treatment planning with the team.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in recreation, physical education, or a related field; experience in planned recreation is valued. Works in a hospital environment with OT-eligibility for full-time staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation, physical education, or related field.
• Experience not required but planned recreation or related field is preferred.
• Knowledge of therapeutic recreation concepts is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and conduct recreation, leisure, health, fitness, and community activities for patients.
• Maintain daily attendance and document progress notes and treatment plans.
• Assess clients and develop plans to meet therapeutic recreation needs and attend team meetings.
• Budget, order supplies, and complete monthly departmental reports.
• Attend department and committee meetings; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Organization

Attention to detail

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation/physical education/related field

Job description

Advertisement Closes: 10/3/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

2605033: Institutional Recreation Leader I

Pay Grade: 11

Salary: $33,118.80 - $49,678.32 Annually

Employment Type: EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

Click here for more details on state employment.

Hiring Agency: Cabinet for Health & Family Services | Dept for Behav Health, Dev & Int Disab

Location: 2400 Russellville Road
Hopkinsville, KY 42240 USA

Description

Are you compassionate and caring? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Do you haveexperience in planned recreation, physical education, or a related field? If you answered YES, then WesternState Hospital (WSH) may be the place for you! With a 172-year history in the Hopkinsville community WSH is aState acute care, adult psychiatric facility, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. WSH providesin-patient psychiatric evaluation and treatment for adults from 34 counties of Western Kentucky who havesevere mental illness. Every employee is part of our caring and competent team committed to excellence inbehavioral healthcare for our patients and we have openings for Institutional Recreation Leaders to join ourteam.

A COVID19 vaccination is recommended for this job.

• Plan, organize, and conduct active treatment on assigned unit and Recovery Mall including group sessions on recreation, leisure, health, fitness and community integration to meet needs of patients.
• Maintain daily attendance of clients to activities and programs, complete documentation including progress notes and treatment plans.
• Assess clients, develop treatment plan to meet therapeutic recreational needs and attend treatment team meetings providing pertinent information on clients' participation in therapeutic recreation activities and programs.
• Budget and order supplies, complete monthly departmental reports.
• Attend committee meetings and department meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Skills in organization.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Strong listening and communication skills.
• Leadership skills.

For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that CHFS has violated its E-Verify responsibilities,please contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at 888-897-7781 or https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in recreation, physical education, special education or a related field.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: NONE

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: Experience in planned recreation, physical education, special education or a related field will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): NONE

Working Conditions

Typically works in an institutional or hospital facility. Typically work is of a moderate physical nature and often in an outdoor setting conducting recreational activities usually with hospital patients or inmates.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Carla Hall-Cravens at [e-mail] or 270-889-2760.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D