Recreational Therapist I

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeks a compassionate Recreational Therapist I to join the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Team at Fuller Mental Health Center. The role focuses on using wellness activities to engage clients, support staff, and maintain equipment within the gym and wellness spaces.

Responsibilities include leading recreational groups, ensuring safety, and coordinating with Rehab leadership on equipment needs.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures in general recreation, including swimming.
• Knowledge of counseling methods as applied to therapeutic recreation.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as applied to recreation therapy.
• Ability to interact with people under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Ability to establish rapport with persons from diverse backgrounds.
• Capacity to stimulate interest and participation in recreational activities.
• Calm demeanor in stressful or emergency situations.

Responsibilities

• Supports inpatient clients and affiliated programs with meaningful engagement in wellness and leisure activities.
• Supports staff utilization of wellness areas.
• Participate in maintaining safety in wellness areas.
• Maintains equipment and recommends repair or replacement as indicated.

Skills

Safety practices

Counseling techniques

Anatomy & physiology

Interpersonal skills

Stress management

Diversity rapport

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation or related field

Job description

Job Description - Recreational Therapist I (2600066S)

Job Description

Recreational Therapist I - (2600066S)

Description

The Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center operated by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a compassionate, talented Recreational Therapist to join a cohesive and dedicated Psychiatric Rehabilitation Team.

The primary role of the Rec Therapist is to support staff, clients, and affiliated program utilization of the wellness areas at the Fuller site including the gymnasium and fitness center while following all policy and procedure. In coordination with the Director of Rehab, the Rec Therapist will maintain inventory of equipment, request new equipment to support client engagement, and request repair or replacement of existing equipment as needed. Provides recreational groups to inpatient clients. Ensures safety of clients and staff during on-unit and off-unit recreational activities.

Please Note: This is a full-time 40-hour position, Sunday – Thursday 9a-5:30p days off Friday and Saturday

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general Summary and not all inclusive)

• Supports inpatient clients and clients from affiliated programs with meaningful engagement in wellness and leisure activities.
• Supports staff utilization of wellness areas.
• Participate in maintaining safety in wellness areas.
• Maintains equipment while recommending repair and replacement as indicated.

Required Qualifications

• Understanding of the factors, trends and problems in providing recreation services to special client groups, such as people living with mental health, physical and/ or age-related challenges.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures followed in general recreation activities including swimming.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of counseling as applied to therapeutic recreation.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as applied to recreation therapy.
• Ability to interact with people who are under physical and/ or emotional stress.
• Capacity to stimulate interest and participation in recreational activities.
• Ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural and/ or economic backgrounds.
• Capacity to maintain a calm manner in stressful and/ or emergency situation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and ability to facilitate individual and group activities, including physical activities/ exercise
• CPR/ First-Aid Certificate

Special Requirements

• Current Massachusetts Driver’s License

Working Conditions

• Recreational Therapists may work in psychiatric treatment settings with individuals living with emotional distress, mental health conditions and / or intellectual disabilities as well as with people within the correctional system.
• Recreational Therapists may also work out-of-doors exposed to changing weather conditions.
• Recreational Therapists may need to travel for work related purposes.

Agency Mission

The Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental health Center, (Fuller) 60 bed inpatient psychiatric facility provides comprehensive, information and timely forensic evaluations for individuals to determine pre-trial competency and or criminal responsibility. We also provide quality, integrated care to support an individual’s recovery process through ongoing psychiatric treatment and care.

We envision an environment that is committed to preventing restraint and seclusion in which leadership and staff model compassion, caring, and hope.

An environment where individual's strengths are recognized and these strengths are utilized to foster hope, facilitate self-determination, and promote physical health and well-being so the individual can become more resilient, forge lasting community alliances and supports to live a fulfilling life.

Pre-Offer Process

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. 4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in planning, organizing, instituting or conducting therapeutic recreation services in a recognized public or private agency, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience in the substitution below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in recreation, recreation education, creative arts therapy or therapeutic recreation may be substituted for the required experience.*

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Special Requirements: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Title 101 CMR 23.00 ("Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Aff…

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Recreational Therapist I

Agency

Department of Mental Health

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting

Sep 16, 2026, 12:40:37 PM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

51,971.14 - 69,629.30 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Aff…ionative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Christina Hyppolite /[e-mail] - 8572835830

Bargaining Unit : 02-AFSCME - Service/Institutional

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : No