THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SPECIALIST 3-B

Nunez Community College; Columbia (LA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of Juvenile Justice – Columbia Center for Youth in Columbia, Louisiana, seeks a Creative and compassionate Therapeutic Recreation Specialist 3-B to plan, coordinate, and implement structured recreational and therapeutic activities for youth in secure care.

The role focuses on emotional wellness, social development, and rehab through engagement, helping youths build coping skills, self-esteem, and positive peer relationships.

Qualifications

• Four years as a teacher, instructor, or counselor in a recreational program plus two years in recreation therapy.
• Bachelor’s degree in a rehabilitation, recreation, therapy, physical education, or psychology field plus two years in recreation therapy.
• CTRS certification plus two years in recreation therapy.
• Advanced degree in rehabilitation, recreation, or therapy field plus one year in recreation therapy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate all therapeutic recreation services to ensure ACA standards, agency policies, and Civil Service rules compliance.
• Develop, manage, and implement a comprehensive therapeutic recreation curriculum including structured recreation, health education, and creative arts.
• Support facility culture reform by modeling professionalism, ethical behavior, and positive engagement with staff and youth.
• Lead youth in exercise, sports, relaxation techniques, and group activities; organize special events and outings.
• Implement therapeutic milieu components such as problem-solving activities, circle-ups, meditation, incentives, and daily recreation schedules.
• Work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency response during weather or facility incidents.
• Participate in youth treatment planning and support canteen operations with accuracy and accountability.
• Follow chain-of-command for reporting incidents; document youth and staff incidents promptly and thoroughly.
• Prepare and submit requisitions for supplies; maintain accurate written and verbal reporting.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Facility Director.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation, recreation, therapy, or related field

Advanced degree in rehabilitation, recreation, or therapy

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)

Experience in recreation therapy (2+ years)

Job description

Office of Juvenile Justice – Columbia Center for Youth

132 LA-850, Columbia, LA 71418

https://ojj.la.gov/location/swanson-center-for-youth-columbia

The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) is committed to protecting the public by providing safe and effective individualized services to youth, who will become productive, law‑abiding citizens. We are seeking a creative and compassionate professional to serve as Therapeutic Recreation Specialist 3‑B, responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing structured recreational and therapeutic activities for youth in secure care. This role supports emotional wellness, social development, and rehabilitation through purposeful engagement, helping youth build coping skills, self‑esteem, and positive peer relationships.

Qualifications

• Four years of experience as a teacher, instructor, or counselor in a recreational program plus two years of experience in recreation therapy; OR
• A bachelor's degree in a rehabilitation, recreation, or therapy field, a physical education field, or psychology plus two years of experience in recreation therapy; OR
• Possession of certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in accordance with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification plus two years of experience in recreation therapy; OR
• An advanced degree in a rehabilitation, recreation, or therapy field, a physical education field, or psychology plus one year of experience in recreation therapy.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

• Oversee and coordinate all therapeutic recreation services to ensure compliance with ACA standards, agency policies, and Civil Service rules.
• Develop, manage, and implement a comprehensive therapeutic recreation curriculum including structured recreation, health education, and creative arts.
• Support facility culture reform by modeling professionalism, ethical behavior, and positive engagement with staff and youth.
• Lead youth in exercise, sports, relaxation techniques, and group activities; organize special events and outings.
• Implement therapeutic milieu components such as problem‑solving activities, circle‑ups, meditation, incentives, and daily recreation schedules.
• Work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency response during weather or facility incidents.
• Participate in youth treatment planning and support canteen operations with accuracy and accountability.
• Follow chain‑of‑command for reporting incidents; document youth and staff incidents promptly and thoroughly.
• Prepare and submit requisitions for supplies; maintain accurate written and verbal reporting.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Facility Director.

Position Specific Details

Work Location: This vacancy is located at the Columbia Center for Youth in Columbia, Louisiana.

Appointment Type: Full-time, Probational

The incumbent of this position must not have been convicted or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15:587.1 (c).

The Office of Juvenile Justice is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment-related resources available for those with disabilities, refer to the Louisiana Employment Resource Guide.

If you are contacted for an interview, please let us know at that time if you will need special accommodations. NOTE: Prior to an appointment, the selected applicant must take and pass a drug screening test, possess a valid Louisiana Driver's License, and clear a background check.