Recreational Therapist

Recreational Therapist Salary: $64,467.52 - $77,043.20 Annually

Location: Santa Barbara, CA Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 26-6465-01 (O/BW) Department: Behavioral Wellness Opening Date: March 2, 2026 Closing Date: March 16, 2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Job Description

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.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• 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 Wellness to 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:

• Quality services for persons of all ages with mental illness and/or substance abuse
• Integrity in individual and organizational actions
• Dignity, respect, and compassion for all persons
• Active involvement of clients and families in treatment, recovery, and policy development
• Diversity throughout our organization and cultural competency in service delivery
• A system of care and recovery that is clearly defined and promotes recovery and resiliency
• Emphasis on prevention and treatment
• Teamwork among department employees in an atmosphere that is respectful and creative
• Continuous quality improvement in service delivery and administration
• Wellness modeled for our clients at all levels, i.e., staff who regularly arrive at the workplace healthy, energetic, and resilient
• 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:

• Work well independently and with a team
• Be flexible and able to adjust to change
• Demonstrate strong work ethic and integrity
• Possess time management skills
• Demonstrate great written and verbal communication skills
• Be self-motivated and take initiative

Examples of Duties

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 patients 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.

Employment Standards

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 and Ability

• Principles, practices, and professional standards of recreational therapy

• Current trends in therapeutic recreation

• Methods of psychological behavior assessment and evaluation

• Basic computer knowledge

• Program administration

• 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

• 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 and Selection Process

Review Application and supplemental questions to determine applicants who meet the employment standards.

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.

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:

• Honorable discharge from active military service
• Discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service
• Completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act.

Conditional Job Offer

Live Scan and Background Check: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidates appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a Live Scan and background check which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.

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.

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.

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.

Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Deadline

Monday, March 16 at 4:59 PM PST.

Application and Job Bulletin

Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Contact Information

Gabriela Huerta, Employment Analyst - ghuerta@sbcbwell.org

Retirement Plans

Generous County Defined Benefit Plan Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans

Health Benefits

Choice of dental, vision, and medical plans In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!

Paid Time Off

Vacation Leave: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment Sick Leave: 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below) Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting

Miscellaneous Benefits

County Paid Term Life Insurance County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance Childcare and Employee Discounts Relocation Assistance may apply Flexible work schedule may apply

Compensation Summary

To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/3085/SEIU-Local-620

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility as an applicant to provide sufficient information on my application to demonstrate that my education and experience meets the employment standards (minimum qualifications) for this position as detailed in the job bulletin.

I further acknowledge that if the County determines that I do not meet the employment standards there will be no opportunity for me to provide additional information regarding my application after the closing date listed on the job bulletin.

Therefore, I understand that before submitting a job application, it is important that I review