Recreational Activities Specialist (SNF) 2026-02202

State of Wyoming; Buffalo (WY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation, sick leave, holidays

Retirement - Pension and 457(b) plans

Flexible schedules and work-life bal

Meaningful work for Wyoming residents

Job summary

The State of Wyoming seeks a qualified Recreational Activities Specialist to oversee and administer a comprehensive therapeutic recreation program for residents in the Veterans’ Home of Wyoming SNF. This role focuses on individualized, safe, meaningful activities aligned with residents’ abilities and needs.

Collaborating with nursing, therapy staff, and volunteers, you will plan a calendar of group and one-on-one activities, help with care plans, and ensure documentation and regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (typically in Recreation Therapy).
• 0-1 year of progressive work experience (typically in Recreation Therapy).
• Substitution: 3-4 years of progressive work experience (typically in recreation Therapy).

Responsibilities

• Assists with the development and administration of the recreational program for the facility, utilizing various forms of recreation to meet the physical, cognitive, and sensory needs of the individuals served.
• Plans and conducts activities and community integration outings which enable people to learn and practice mobility, cognitive, social and emotional skills so they may get the most out of life and integrate with the public.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates care plans for clients, including 1:1 and group interventions.
• Creates a schedule that includes daily, weekly, monthly and annual recreation/leisure activities for large groups of people.
• Monitors participants during recreational activities to ensure institutional safety.
• Trains staff in areas of structured leisure and passenger assistance.

Skills

Recreation Therapy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy

Job description

Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Veterans’ Home of Wyoming is seeking a qualified individual to fill the full-time position of Recreational Activities Specialist. This position is responsible for assisting with the development, implementation, and administration of a comprehensive therapeutic recreation and activities program designed to meet the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and sensory needs of residents.

The Recreational Activities Specialist assigned to the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) will provide primary oversight of the therapeutic activities program within the skilled nursing environment. Recognizing that skilled nursing residents may have higher clinical, physical, and cognitive acuity, this position is responsible for ensuring programming is individualized, therapeutic, safe, meaningful, and responsive to each resident’s abilities, preferences, and needs.

The position works collaboratively with the Recreational Activities Coordinator, Activities Director, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members, volunteers, and community partners to promote resident well-being, quality of life, independence, social engagement, and community integration.

Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement - Pension and 457(b) plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities

and MUCH MORE!

Human Resource Contact: [e-mail]

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists with the development and administration of the recreational program for the facility, utilizing various forms of recreation to meet the physical, cognitive, and sensory needs of the individuals served.
• Plans and conducts activities and community integration outings which enable people to learn and practice mobility, cognitive, social and emotional skills so they may get the most out of life and integrate with the public.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates care plans for clients, including 1:1 and group interventions.
• Creates a schedule that includes daily, weekly, monthly and annual recreation/leisure activities for large groups of people.
• Monitors participants during recreational activities to ensure institutional safety.
• Trains staff in areas of structured leisure and passenger assistance.
• Completes regular inventories of supplies and equipment and prepares requests for new or replacement equipment and supplies.
• Prepares monthly progress reports as well as daily therapy and recreational attendance documents.
• Prepares schedules for staff and therapy sessions.
• Organizes volunteers and directs youth workers.
• Provide primary day-to-day oversight of recreational programming within the Skilled Nursing Facility.
• Plan and execute a comprehensive calendar of group and individual activities specifically tailored to the needs of skilled nursing residents.
• Design and facilitate specialized programming for residents with:
  • Advanced dementia or cognitive impairment
  • Complex medical conditions
  • Limited mobility
  • Sensory impairments
  • Behavioral or emotional needs
  • PTSD or trauma-related concerns
  • Isolation or limited social interaction
• Provide structured one-on-one and bedside programming for residents who are bedbound, isolated, unable to participate in group programming, or who require individualized interventions.
• Document resident participation and responses to individualized programming and modify interventions as appropriate.
• Ensure high-acuity residents have meaningful opportunities to participate in facility activities and special events.
• Participate in the completion of activity-related assessments and Minimum Data Set (MDS) requirements, including applicable activities sections, within required timelines.
• Ensure activity documentation is maintained in accordance with applicable federal, state, facility, and regulatory requirements.
• Actively participate in interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings and resident care plan meetings as required.
• Represent the activities department and communicate resident needs, preferences, participation, and progress to the interdisciplinary team.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Nursing (DON), floor nurses, therapy staff, and other team members to coordinate activities around resident care routines, including medication administration, meals, therapy schedules, restorative nursing, and shift changes.
• Provide transportation for residents participating in community activities and outings using facility vehicles, including vehicles requiring a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• Ensure appropriate passenger assistance and resident safety during transportation and community outings.

PREFERENCES/AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

The successful candidate should demonstrate knowledge of:

• Individual and group recreational programming techniques.
• Recreational materials, tools, equipment, and their proper care and use.
• A wide variety of individual and team sports, games, leisure activities, and therapeutic interventions.
• Individual and group work techniques used in recreational instruction and organization.
• Cognitive, sensory, physical, social, and emotional needs of individuals receiving long-term and skilled nursing care.
• Community resources available to support recreational programming.
• Emergency procedures, dangerous situations, and appropriate physical responses.
• Applicable federal and state regulations related to long-term care activities and documentation.
• Resident-centered and trauma-informed approaches to programming and care.

A Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement is preferred.

The successful candidate must possess or obtain a Class B CDL with Passenger Endorsement within six months of employment, if required for assigned transportation duties.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of recreational therapy practice, principles, and procedures.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations pertaining to the area of specialization.
• Knowledge of recreational materials, tools and equipment, and their care and use.
• Knowledge of the rules and procedures for a wide variety of team and individual sports and games.
• Knowledge of individual and group work techniques used in recreational instruction and organization.
• Knowledge of community resources available to the recreation program of the institution.
• Knowledge of emergencies and dangerous situations and how to physically respond to them.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor's Degree (typically in Recreation Therapy)

Experience: 0-1 year of progressive work experience (typically in Recreation Therapy)

or Education & ExperienceSubstitution: 3-4 years of progressive work experience (typically in recreation Therapy)

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Physical ability to lift, twist, bend, pull and push up to 50 lbs.
• Assist residents with mobility and recreational participation.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies and potentially dangerous situations.
• Work in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Work evenings, weekends, holidays, or adjusted schedules when facility needs or programming require.
• A background check, including the taking of fingerprints, will be completed through the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Family Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for every successful applicant.

NOTES:

• FLSA: Non-Exempt
• A Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement is preferred.
• The successful candidate must possess or obtain a Class B CDL with Passenger Endorsement within six months of employment, if required for assigned transportation duties.
• Annual influenza immunization is required.

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.

Human Resource Contact: [e-mail]