Recreations Director - Nursing Home
Salary
$40,286.40 - $68,738.67 Annually
Location
38 - LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MS
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
9274-0372-20260608L
Department
0372 - MH-EAST MS STATE HOSPITAL
Opening Date
06/11/2026
Closing Date
6/17/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary
$40,286.40
Agency Maximum Salary
$68,738.67
About the Agency
East Mississippi State Hospital (EMSH) is a state-operated psychiatric facility under the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, providing comprehensive inpatient mental health services to individuals across East Mississippi. EMSH supports multiple campuses and programs, delivering clinical, residential, and rehabilitative services in a highly regulated healthcare environment. The hospital is committed to patient safety, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance while supporting a diverse workforce of clinical, administrative, and support professionals. Through collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement, EMSH plays a critical role in advancing mental health care and public service for the State of Mississippi.
About the Position
The Recreation Director is a supervisory recreational therapy position responsible for planning, developing, directing, and coordinating therapeutic programming designed to meet the individual and group needs of residents at R.P. White Nursing Home. Functioning within the Therapeutic Therapist Team Lead classification, this position is responsible for integrating recreational and therapeutic services into the overall treatment program, conducting and overseeing therapeutic assessments and activities, monitoring staff performance, and helping ensure therapeutic programming aligns with resident needs, care plans, and program objectives. The Recreation Director supervises assigned staff, supports scheduling and training, participates in interdisciplinary care planning, and promotes compliance with EMSH policy, state and federal regulations, and applicable accreditation standards
What youll need to be Successful
To be successful in this position, the employee must demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to coordinate therapeutic programming services in a structured resident care environment. The employee should be able to supervise staff effectively, support resident-centered programming, maintain accurate documentation, participate in interdisciplinary care planning, and ensure compliance with regulatory and facility standards. Success in this role also requires professionalism, organization, dependability, effective communication, and a strong commitment to quality therapeutic services and positive resident outcomes.
Preferred Qualifications
Typically requires a bachelor's degree, 2-3 years of experience, and licensure as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Hiring agency Preferred Qualifications: Experience in long-term care, nursing home therapeutic programming, interdisciplinary care planning, staff supervision, documentation oversight, scheduling, and regulatory compliance is preferred. Experience with resident assessments, care plan implementation, staff development, and performance management in a structured healthcare environment is also preferred.
Characteristics of Work
See MSPB Careers for information regarding this classifications
Health/Prescription Insurance
Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state's health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits
Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance
All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances
Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.
Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave
Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave
In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays
Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation's celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs
The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State's retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State's retirement program can be found at http://www.pers.state.ms.us
Deferred Compensation
State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training
The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities
Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders
Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual's salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
01
How many years of relevant experience do you have? (Refer to the job posting for an explanation of relevant experience.)
02
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?
03
Are you licensed as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist?
Required Question
Employer State of Mississippi
Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201
Phone 601-359-1406
601-359-1406