Therapeutic Activities Worker

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 57,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs seeks a Therapeutic Activities Worker to enhance Delaware Valley Veterans' Home residents' daily lives through meaningful programs and engaging activities.

The role involves planning, delivering, and coordinating activities that support residents’ well-being across mental, social, and physical domains, with collaboration from the care team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or related human services field or equivalent.
• Four years of experience providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities may substitute education.
• Educational requirements may be met within 3 months of graduation.

Responsibilities

• Plan and carry out programs that support residents’ mental, social, emotional, and physical functioning.
• Assess residents to identify strengths, needs, interests, and abilities.
• Coordinate schedules, staff, equipment, and spaces for recreational activities.
• Collaborate with the care team to develop individualized plans and report progress.
• Maintain clinical and administrative documentation, including assessments and forms.
• Provide guidance, instruction, and safe transportation during activities.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or related field

Job description

Salary

$56,541.00 - $86,022.00 Annually

Location

Philadelphia County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-57252-31920

Department

Department of Military & Veterans Affairs

Division

MV Nrsg Dvh

Opening Date

08/31/2026

Closing Date

9/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

31920

Position Number

50284965

Union

SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit

F4

Pay Group

ST06

Bureau / Division Code

00135180

Bureau / Division

Delaware Valley Veterans' Home / Nursing

Worksite Address

2701 Southampton Road

City

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

19154

Contact Name

Jaime Doyle

Contact Phone

215.856.2836

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Are you ready to bring energy and creativity to the Delaware Valley Veterans' Home as a Therapeutic Activities Worker? This role lets you brighten the lives of residents through meaningful and engaging programs. You will help create experiences that build connection, purpose, and joy. Join the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and make each day count for the people who served our nation.

Click here to learn more about the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position focuses on planning and delivering programs that support resident well-being across many areas of daily life. It involves coordinating activities, assessing needs, and working with the team to ensure high-quality services. As a Therapeutic Activities Worker, you will perform the following duties:

• Activity Planning: Plan and carry out programs that support mental, spiritual, social, emotional, and physical functioning
• Resident Assessment: Assess residents to identify strengths, needs, interests, and abilities
• Program Coordination: Coordinate schedules, staff, equipment, and spaces for recreational and activity programs
• Team Collaboration: Work with the care team to develop individualized plans and report resident progress
• Record Keeping: Maintain clinical and administrative documentation, including assessments, surveys, and required forms
• Resident Support: Provide guidance, instruction, and safe transportation for residents during activities

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 1st shift (9:00 AM to 5:30 PM), with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree with major coursework in therapeutic recreation; physical education; vocational rehabilitation; vocational education or counseling; art, music, dance, or occupational therapies; or a related human services field; or
• Four years of experience providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
  • Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.