NOTICE OF CHANGE:
This recruitment will remain open until filled.
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis with the first review on Friday 3/13/2026
SALARY
$30.99 - $37.04 Hourly
$64,467.52 - $77,043.20 Annually
The County of Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time position for a Recreational Therapist in Santa Barbara for the Psychiatric Health Facility.
BENEFITS: For more information on County benefits, please visit here HERE. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:
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Retirement reciprocity
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Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
Founded in 1962, it is the mission of the Department of Behavioral Wellnessto promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction among individuals, families and communities, by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services. The Department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients with mental illness and substance use disorders annually through its professional staff of over 400, in addition to its many contracted Community-Based Organization (CBO) providers. The Department’s decisions and service delivery are guided by the following values:
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Quality services for persons of all ages with mental illness and/or substance abuse
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Integrity in individual and organizational actions
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Dignity, respect, and compassion for all persons
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Active involvement of clients and families in treatment, recovery, and policy development
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Diversity throughout our organization and cultural competency in service delivery
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A system of care and recovery that is clearly defined and promotes recovery and resiliency
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Emphasis on prevention and treatment
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Teamwork among department employees in an atmosphere that is respectful and creative
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Continuous quality improvement in service delivery and administration
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Wellness modeled for our clients at all levels, i.e., staff who regularly arrive at the workplace healthy, energetic and resilient
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Safety for everyone
THE POSITION: Under general supervision, plans, organizes, and supervises medically approved recreation programs for psychiatric patients; monitors and evaluates patient progress; and performs related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Recreational Therapists oversee the treatment and program direction for patients assigned for recreational therapy and differ from Occupational Therapists, who oversee programs designed to provide practice in prevocational, vocational, sensorimotor, educational, social, and daily activity skills.
The IDEAL CANDIDATE will:
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Work well independently and with a team
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Be flexible and able to adjust to change
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Demonstrate strong work ethic and integrity
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Possess time management skills
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Demonstrate great written and verbal communication skills
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Be self-motivated and take initiative
1. Plans, organizes, and supervises daily activity programs for psychiatric patients; observes patient behavior for significant signs of health or illness to report to staff; leads individual and group recreation therapy sessions; provides patient safety and welfare during therapy sessions; and instructs and supervises patient use of equipment.
2. As a member of treatment team, participates in development of patient's initial assessment, progress, treatment plans, and goals; selects appropriate activities for diagnostic and treatment needs; assists patients in establishing and accomplishing treatment goals; and writes reports describing patients' initial assessment, behavioral changes, progress, or regression.
3. Coordinates recreational therapy orientation and programs with nursing staff; and recommends and oversees purchase of recreational therapy equipment.
Possession of a bachelor’s degree in recreation therapy or in recreation and leisure studies with a specialization in recreation therapy and eligibility for certification as a recreation therapist by the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification.
Certificates: Appointees must obtain certification as a recreation therapist by the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification within one year of appointment. Within six months of appointment, appointees must obtain a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate.
Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment. The ability to work weekends may be required.
Knowledge of: principles, practices, and professional standards of recreational therapy; current trends in therapeutic recreation; methods of psychological behavior assessment and evaluation; basic computer knowledge; and program administration.
Ability to: assess, plan, organize, and supervise a departmental recreational therapy program for clients; assess and evaluate patient treatment progress or regression; lead individual and group sessions; assist patients in establishing and attaining realistic treatment goals; write effectively; speak clearly and concisely; keep accurate and comprehensive records; develop effective working relationships with staff, family members, and persons with varying degrees of mental illness; select equipment and oversee purchases and use; identify, develop, and utilize community facilities, support agencies, and programs; maintain confidentiality; and foster trust and cooperation.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Some incumbents in this job classification work in a locked facility with patients who can be a danger to themselves and others. Incumbents will receive training in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) and must be able to restrain patients in crisis and other situations.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:
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Review Application and supplemental questions to determine applicants who meet the employment standards.
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Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Applications that meet the employment standards will be evaluated and scored. Candidates’ final score on the Supplemental Questionnaire and on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their application. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than eleven (11) qualified candidates.
Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule 6. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the examination, rank on the employment list, and duration of the employment list.
VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran’s preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans’ hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.
To receive veteran’s preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran’s Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the closing date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.
CONDITIONAL JOB OFFER:
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Live Scan and Background Check: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidate's appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a Live Scan and background check which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice. Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.
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The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
Vaccination Verification and Testing: This position may be subject to State Health Officer Orders (SHOOs) or County policy regarding vaccine verification and/or testing. Please contact the hiring department for more information.
STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: CONTINUOUS. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Gabriela Huerta, Employment Analyst – [email protected]
