Recreation Therapy Supervisor

County of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

County of San Diego is seeking a Recreation Therapy Supervisor to plan and coordinate therapeutic recreation services in a psychiatric hospital setting. The role leads staff, oversees activities, and ensures regulatory compliance to support safe, high-quality patient care.

The ideal candidate has leadership experience in behavioral health, extensive recreation therapy coordination, and knowledge of applicable regulations.

Qualifications

• Certification as Recreation Therapist per CBRTC or NCTRC (California Title 22)
• Bachelor's degree in Recreation with specialization in Recreation Therapy
• Three years of full-time experience in a mental health program with lead experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate therapeutic recreation services in a mental health setting.
• Lead activities and supervise Recreational Therapists and Aides.
• Ensure program compliance with Federal and State regulatory requirements.
• Promote safety, staff development and high-quality patient care.

Skills

Recreation Therapy Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Behavioral health coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy or related field

Job description

The County of San Diego's Health and Human Services Agency is

currently accepting applications for:

Recreation Therapy Supervisor

Interviews will begin the week of November 16, 2026.

Job Offers will begin the week of November 23, 2026.

The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate’s qualifications at time of appointment

Future Salary Increases

** June 2027 - 3.33% increase to base pay (3.00% Across-the-Board + .33% Market Increase)**

Recreation Therapy Supervisors plan and coordinate therapeutic recreation services; lead activities; and supervise Recreational Therapists and Recreation Therapy Aides. The incumbents have primary responsibility for administering the therapeutic recreation program.

Ideal Candidate

An ideal Recreation Therapist Supervisor in a psychiatric hospital has recent leadership experience in a behavioral health setting, has thorough experience in coordinating recreational therapy program for the mental health population, and knowledge of Federal and State regulatory requirements. They are proactive, demonstrate strong situational awareness in high-acuity environments, and prioritize compliance and risk mitigation. Most importantly, they foster a culture of safety, accountability, and interdisciplinary collaboration while supporting staff development and high-quality patient care.

Hiring Process and Timeline

The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.

• Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews.
• Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Certification as a Recreation Therapist by the California Board of Recreation Therapy Certification (CBRTC) or the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) per California Administrative Code, Title 22, Section 71053 (16); AND,
2. A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in Recreation with specialization in Recreation Therapy; AND,
3. Three (3) years of full-time experience in a mental health program. Previous experience may have included at least one (1) year as a designated lead.

Note: Supervisory experience is highly desirable.

Required Licenses, Certifications or Registrations

Required licenses, certifications and registrations must be maintained throughout employment in this class.

Positions may involve necessary and timely transportation for field travel, requiring the ability to arrange transportation to different worksites, meetings, or field work.

Some positions may require a California Class B driver's license within twelve (12) months of hire and must be maintained throughout employment in this class.

Certification/Registration

Certification as a Recreation Therapist by the California Board of Recreation Therapy Certification (CBRTC) or the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) per California Administrative Code, Title 22, Section 71053 (16).

Certification by the National Association for Music Therapy (NAMT) or by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) is qualifying.

Working Conditions

Incumbents may work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays. Incumbents are exposed to clients, persons in custody, residents, and/or patients who may become abusive, combative or may have a contagious disease. Deputy Sheriffs provide security in the County Jail. Incumbents push wheelchairs up and down ramps and on uneven surfaces.

Note: In addition to the above, incumbents assigned at the San Diego Psychiatric Hospital may drive cars or vans, work outdoor in grassy recreation area, and may be exposed to extreme temperature, humidity, or wetness during outdoor recreation activities.

Blind Applicant Screening

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a more fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.

Condition of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

Evaluation

The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization.

Veteran’s Preference Policy

The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the Veteran's Preference Policy for additional information.

Military Skills Translator

Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please read the Military Skills Translator to access the tool.

Strategic Plan

The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of these values is infused throughout our operations. The County also embraces a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce.

Disaster Service Worker

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.

Diversity & Inclusion

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.