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Recreation Therapist

Veterans Health Administration · Department of Veterans Affairs

This job in plain English

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center in Battle Creek, Michigan is hiring one Recreation Therapist for its Mental Health Service. The job uses therapeutic recreation to help Veterans with injuries, chronic illnesses, or disabilities regain daily skills. It is a full-time, Tuesday to Saturday job and is open to U.S. citizens only.

1 vacancy

Can you apply?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.

  • Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.

Open to the public, but only U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or people who owe allegiance to the U.S. Veterans' preference rules apply.

What you would do

  • Perform routine assessments to build individualized treatment plans.
  • Create treatment plans with measurable, behavior-based functional goals.
  • Lead individual and group recreation therapy sessions and programs.
  • Observe patient responses and document important data.
  • Evaluate services to measure progress, effectiveness, and need for changes.

Do you qualify for GS-7 to GS-11?

With experience: For GS-9, you need at least 1 year of experience at the GS-7 level as a professional recreation therapist, or a master's degree in recreation therapy can replace that year. For GS-11, you need at least 1 year of creditable experience at the GS-9 level, plus the skills listed in the announcement.

With education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure, with a therapeutic recreation option or emphasis, approved by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Or, any bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college, approved by NCTRC, if you also hold CTRS certification. Current VHA employees in this occupation may qualify under a grandfathering provision if they meet its criteria.

Licenses and certifications you need:

  • Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) from NCTRC
  • CTRS certification is required for GS-11 and above; a temporary exception applies at GS-7 and GS-9 for non-certified applicants

How to apply well

What to send:

  • Long-form resume or curriculum vitae (CV) showing your experience in detail
  • Transcript (required, and needed to qualify through education)
  • Proof of CTRS certification, if you have it
  • DD-214 if you claim veterans' preference
  • SF-15 with proof if you claim 10-point veterans' preference

How you will be rated: You will be rated on how well you meet the qualifications listed. Your application, resume, CV, and supporting documents will be verified, and errors or missing required information may lower your rating or make you ineligible.

Tips for this job:

  • Make sure your transcript shows a degree from an accredited school and an NCTRC-approved program.
  • Check that your CTRS certification is current, since it cannot be waived if you are hired under the education route.
  • If you are a veteran, claim preference in the questionnaire and attach your DD-214, plus an SF-15 if you are 10-point eligible.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time, Tuesday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Incentives and relocation: No relocation or recruitment incentives. Permanent Change of Station is not authorized.

Conditions of employment:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Drug test (urinalysis) before appointment
  • Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Background and security investigation
  • Online onboarding with acceptable ID; driver's licenses must be REAL ID compliant
  • Seasonal influenza vaccination required, or approved exemption
  • 1 or 2-year trial period
  • Light to moderate physical activity, including standing, walking, and carrying supplies
  • May drive government vehicles and transport Veterans

We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.

Job details

Salary
$50,460 – $97,087 per year
Pay scale and grade
GS-7 to GS-11 · General Schedule
Location
Battle Creek, Michigan
Appointment
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Openings
1
Security clearance
Not Required
Travel
Not required
Drug test
Not required
Supervisory
No
Occupation
Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist (0638)
Announcement
CBSR-13103313-27-TB

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