Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

DSHS ESH Recreation & Athletics Specialist 2

MEDICAL LAKE, WAPosted a month ago

Job summary

  • Job post source

    This job is directly from Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

  • Job overview

    The Recreation & Athletics Specialist 2 at Washington State Department of Social and Health Services provides innovative recreational and leisure activities to support behavioral health patients, enhancing their social, cognitive, emotional, and physical functioning.

  • Responsibilities and impact

    The role involves planning and implementing group and individual recreational activities, organizing special events, assisting patients in skill development, documenting patient responses, collaborating with the rehab team, and leading structured recreation groups.

  • Compensation and benefits

    The job offers a standard state salary with a potential additional 5% premium pay for on-site work at least three days a week, along with typical state employee benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

  • Experience and skills

    Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in recreation, therapeutic recreation, or related fields with one year of professional recreation experience, or equivalent experience, along with skills in group facilitation, therapeutic relationships, and effective communication.

  • Work environment and culture

    The department emphasizes equity, anti-racism, social justice, and inclusive representation of diverse communities, fostering a compassionate and professional work environment.

  • Company information

    Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is a government agency focused on providing human services to diverse populations including those with behavioral health needs, emphasizing equity and inclusion.

  • Job location and travel

    The position is located at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, WA, with a Monday to Friday schedule and some on-site work requirements.

  • Application process

    Applicants can contact the recruiter via email and must undergo a background check; accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.

  • Unique job features

    The role offers a unique opportunity to impact behavioral health through creative recreational programming in a supportive state agency environment.

Company overview

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is a government agency focused on providing essential social services and health support to residents of Washington State. They generate revenue through state and federal funding, which is allocated to various programs such as healthcare, child welfare, mental health services, and support for the elderly and disabled. Established in 1970, DSHS has a long history of evolving to meet the changing needs of the community, emphasizing a mission to transform lives by promoting safe, healthy, and supportive communities.

How to land this job

  • Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience in planning and implementing recreational and therapeutic activities, highlighting your ability to work with diverse populations including those with mental illness and challenging behaviors.

  • Showcase your skills in group facilitation, therapeutic relationship development, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, as these are key for success in the Recreation & Athletics Specialist 2 role.

  • Apply through multiple platforms such as the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services official careers page, LinkedIn, and other job boards listing this position to increase your chances of being noticed.

  • Connect with current employees or supervisors in the Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration division on LinkedIn; start conversations by referencing recent events at Eastern State Hospital or asking for advice on succeeding in the role.

  • Optimize your resume for ATS by including keywords from the job description such as 'recreational activities,' 'therapeutic relationships,' 'mental illness,' 'group facilitation,' and 'collaboration with Rehab Team' to ensure it passes initial screenings.

  • Use Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate applying through multiple channels, tailor your resume with relevant keywords, and identify LinkedIn contacts to network with, saving you time and improving your application effectiveness.

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