Recreation Therapist, CF-Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP)

California Correctional Health Care Services; Monterey (CA); On-site; USD 86,880 - 117,537; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment stipend

Recruitment/retention differential

Referral bonus

Job summary

California Correctional Health Care Services is seeking a Recreation Therapist to deliver specialized programs for inmates at Salinas Valley State Prison in Monterey County. The role supports social interaction, constructive leisure activities, and re-entry preparation under supervision by a Senior Psychologist.

The position may include HAM pay and potential recruitment stipends; a recruitment/retention differential may apply in the first year.

Qualifications

• Education: Equivalent to graduation from a recognized college with major work in recreation or recreation therapy, including supervised field work.
• Senior registration may admit applicants to the examination, but evidence of graduation and field work must be provided before appointment.

Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Senior Psychologist, the Recreation Therapist provides specialized programs and services for inmates to promote social interaction, productive use of leisure time, and preparation or re-entry into the general population or parole.
• Coordinate with Interdisciplinary Treatment Teams, Primary Clinicians, Educational staff, Correctional Counselors, and Custody personnel to develop and implement recreation activities geared to clinical improvement.

Education

Degree in recreation or recreation therapy

Job description

Department Information

Vision We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug‑free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to building an inclusive and culturally diverse workplace. We are determined to attract and hire more candidates from diverse communities and empower all employees from a variety of cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts to increase representation at all levels of the Department.

CDCR/CCHCS strives to collaborate with the community to enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs. Incumbents establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the department, other governmental agencies, health care partners, and communities.

CDCR/CCHCS values all team members. We work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population, which includes medical, dental, nursing, mental health, and pharmacy. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR/CCHCS mission.

Commitment to California Model: CDCR and CCHCS are proud to partner on the California Model which will transform the correctional landscape for our employees and the incarcerated. The California Model is a systemwide change that leverages national and international best practices to address longstanding challenges related to incarceration and institution working conditions, creating a safe, professional, and satisfying workplace for staff as well as rehabilitation for the incarcerated. Additionally, the California Model improves success of the decarcerated through robust re‑entry efforts back into the community.

This advertisement is for a Recreation Therapist, CF position(s) located at Salinas Valley State Prison - Soledad, located in Monterey County.

Please indicate the position number on your application: 936‑220‑9286‑XXX

Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please be sure to have a valid email address on your application.

Department Website: https://cchcs.ca.gov/careers

Job Description And Duties

This Job Control is listed Until filled. Applications will be reviewed on the following dates: 7/27/26, 08/10/26, 08/24/26, 09/07/26, 09/21/26, 10/05/26, 10/19/26, 11/02/26.

Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires each full‑time employee in Bargaining Unit 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by 3 % and will receive 5 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes. Part‑time employees are subject to the same conditions as full‑time employees, on a prorated basis equivalent to their time‑base. Permanent intermittent employees are subject to the same condition as full‑time employees, based on the number of hours worked in the pay period.

Under the supervision of the Senior Psychologist (Supervisor), the Recreation Therapist provides specialized programs and services for inmates, which promote social interaction, encourage profitable and appropriate use of leisure time, and provide preparation or re‑entry to the general population or parole. Consultation with Interdisciplinary Treatment Teams (IDTT), Primary Clinicians, Educational staff, Correctional Counselors, and Custody personnel is essential to the development and implementation of recreational activities geared to clinical improvement in the level of functioning of inmates.

Pay Benefits

This classification is subject to Section 5, Hiring‑Above‑Minimum (HAM) Authorization of the California State Civil Service Pay Scales. The authorized HAM rate for this classification is $9159.

Individuals may be eligible to receive a $10,000 one‑time recruitment and retention stipend if they meet the eligibility criteria, including but not limited to remaining employed with CCHCS for six months. Additionally, individuals may be eligible to receive a monthly recruitment and retention differential during their first year with CCHCS (totaling $5,000), if they meet the eligibility criteria.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) employees may be eligible for a $5,000 referral bonus if they are selected for hire and remain employed with CCHCS for 90 days. A questionnaire must be completed during the pre‑employment process.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Equivalent to graduation from a recognized college with major work in recreation or recreation therapy. The major must have included supervised field work. (Registration as a senior will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent and completion of the required field work before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‑free workplace. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.