Supervisory Recreation Therapist

USAJOBS - Job Announcement Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

MENU

• Sign in

• My jobs

• Profile

• Resumes & documents

• Notifications

• Talent networks

• Sign out

• My jobs

• Profile

• Resumes & documents

• Notifications

• Talent networks

• Sign out

• Events

• Help Center

• Search

Back to results

Apply

Supervisory Recreation Therapist

Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

Clinical Center, Rehabilitation Medicine Department (RMD)

Apply

Print

Share

Save

• Summary
• This job is open to
• Duties
• Requirements
• How you will be evaluated
• Required documents
• How to apply

Summary

The incumbent supervises the Recreation Therapy section, which encompasses creative arts therapies (i.e. recreation therapy, art therapy, massage therapy and music therapy) of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department (RMD) of the Clinical Center (CC), National Institutes of Health (NIH). The incumbent directs clinical recreation and creative arts therapy programs and treatment interventions for patients and their families.

Learn more about this agency

Summary

The incumbent supervises the Recreation Therapy section, which encompasses creative arts therapies (i.e. recreation therapy, art therapy, massage therapy and music therapy) of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department (RMD) of the Clinical Center (CC), National Institutes of Health (NIH). The incumbent directs clinical recreation and creative arts therapy programs and treatment interventions for patients and their families.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Posted today · Apply by 06/29/26

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 29, 2026

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Montgomery County, MD

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $121,785 - $158,322 per year Pay scale & grade

GS 13

Promotion potential 13

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type Permanent

Occupations and job series

• 0638 Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist

Supervisory status Yes Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No

Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number NIH-CC-MP-26-12982884 Control number 872649000

This job is open to

Help

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Managements hiring rules and pay scales.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Land and base management

Current or former employees of a base management agency.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Family of overseas employees

Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.

Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.

Clarification from the agency

You must be a current or former federal employee eligible to apply under merit promotion procedures or otherwise be eligible as a status applicant (e.g. Veterans Employment Opportunity Act) OR be an individual who is eligible through an OPM interchange agreement or for a non-competitive appointment. This job is also open to USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers and Call-To-Active Duty (CAD) Candidates.

Duties

Help

As a GS-0638-13 Supervisory Recreation Therapist your duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Advising higher level officials as a subject matter expert for NIH and other HHS interagency taskforce groups to determine policy and procedures for health care provisions to the nations disabled.
• Collaborating with therapists and research coordinators to set goals for research service units.
• Evaluating the impact of implementation of research findings and reports results of research internally and to the community at large.
• Initiating and developing standards of care and criteria for newly identified areas of therapy practice and other general and specialty areas (i.e., specific patient populations and/or protocols).
• Providing specialized therapy care to individual patients or patient groups with special concentration on clinical evaluation and treatment for complex issues for which there exists no established standards of practice.
• Attending and participating in rounds, staff meetings and seminars for the purpose of continuously updating professional knowledge and enhancing program effectiveness

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.)
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
• Position requires Education. Please include a copy of your transcripts.
• Position is designated as an "emergency essential" position. See definition of this designation in the Additional Information Section of this announcement.
• If selected, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable diseases.
• Must be credentialed as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
• This position has on-call or call-back requirements.

Qualifications

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

For this position, you must demonstrate that you have either:

A. A bachelors or higher degree in therapeutic recreation, art therapy, drama therapy, dance therapy, or music therapy.

OR

B. A bachelors or higher degree in a related field involving therapeutic emphasis or concentration that included at least 36 hours in therapeutic courses as follows: 18 semester hours of therapeutic recreation courses; and 18 semester hours that included a combination of abnormal psychology, human anatomy and development, disabilities, and general recreation.

AND

Additional Qualifications Requirements:

You must demonstrate 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1.) providing technical guidance and coordinating the work of recreation therapists to ensure delivery of therapeutic services; 2.) providing recreation therapy services to patients with complex medical, behavioral, or psychosocial conditions, including completing assessments and developing treatment plans; 3.) collaborating with interdisciplinary team members (e.g. physicians, rehabilitation staff, researchers) to support patient care plans, clinical protocols, or research activities; 4.) developing and delivering education and counseling to patients, families, and/or staff; 5.) assisting in the evaluation and improvement of therapeutic recreation services by monitoring program effectiveness and recommending enhancements to treatment approved or service delivery.

Selective Factor: In order to meet minimum qualification requirements you must demonstrate possession of the selective factor of this position. Selective factor include;

• You must be credentialed as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12982884

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

• This position is designated as an "emergency essential" position and the selected candidate will be considered an "emergency essential" employee and will be required to be available, ready, willing, and able to report for duty under all circumstances (e.g., inclement weather, government closings and holidays, lapses in appropriations, non-emergency and emergency situations) for operation 24 hours a day and 365 days per year coverage.
• NIH may repay certain outstanding Federally insured student loans to facilitate the recruitment and retention of highly qualified people. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
• Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
• PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
• Veterans Preference applies only to Schedule A (disability appointment) and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).
• The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
• The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Visit Help Applying for helpful information on the application process.
• Veterans Preference only applies to Schedule A (disability appointment), HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles, HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL) Eligibles, and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).

Expand Hide additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

Help

Review our benefits

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your score on the required assessments. This vacancy will use the following assessment(s): Accomplishment Record.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

• Education & Training
• Managing Human Resources
• Planning & Evaluating

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least 80 points on assessment(s) and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

Benefits

Help

Review our benefits

Required documents

Required Documents

Help

RESUME:

Your resume must clearly demonstrate, in two pages or less, how your skills and experiences align with the "Qualifications" section and support your questionnaire responses. While cover letters provided with your application will be shared with hiring officials, they will not be used for initial qualification determinations. We cannot assume required experience based on your work or academic history. If your resume exceeds two pages, only the first two will be reviewed. Use a legible font such as Lato, Calibri, Helvetica, or Arial, with 0.5-inch margins. Suggested formatting: 14-point for titles and 10-point for body text. You may use the USAJOBS Resume Builder or upload your own resume. If uploading, ensure it includes all required information and is organized so we can match the following to each position:

• Job title
• Employer name
• Employment dates (MM/DD/YYYY)
• Hours worked per week (full-time assumed; part-time prorated)
• Detailed duties, accomplishments, skills, responsibilities, and supervisory details (if applicable)
• Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)

If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, you must list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study. If the position requires a certain number of credit hours, you are strongly encouraged to list the relevant courses in your resume.

Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.

For resume writing guidance, please visit the following resources: NIH Help Applying, USAJOBS Resource Center, and the USAJOBS Resume Guidance. If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, you need to list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study.

APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE:

You must submit a completed application questionnaire.

ELIGIBILITY/PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION:

You must submit the following documentation, if applicable to you AND respond accordingly to the associated question on the online questionnaire. If you do not provide the required information, we will assume you are not eligible or you do not wish to be considered for any preference or eligibility.

• SF-50 - A copy of your most recent competitive career or career conditional SF-50 that shows the effective date of your latest position and the full performance level. You may obtain a copy of your SF-50 from your human resources office or, if you are an HHS employee, from your eOPF. If you separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration.
• Veteran Documentation: (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.). Reference Standard Form 15 (SF-15) for required documentation if you are a 10-point preference eligible. Submission of SF-15 is not required, unless you have derived preference (XP) as described in questions 7, 8, or 9 on the SF-15. In those cases, you must submit a completed SF-15 and the required documentation. For 5 point preference eligibles, you must submit your DD-214 (if separated) or any written documentation from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package.
• Schedule A (Disability Appointment): Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be printed on a medical professionals letterhead. Please note the Schedule A hiring authority neither guarantees employment, nor gives an individual preference in the hiring process.
• Documentation to support any other noncompetitive or OPM interchange agreement eligibility. Reference the Eligibility section of the questionnaire for required documents and information.
• Visit our sites on Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)for more information and required documentation.

Please do not submit any other supplementary documentation that is not requested of you. To protect your personal information, we will only send your resume and cover letter to the selecting official or hiring manager.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Help

To apply for this position, please read and follow all instructions in this announcement, complete the online application, and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on 06/29/2026 to receive consideration.

• To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply.
• Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. See the "Required Documents" section for any additional forms and/or supplemental materials required.
• Read all Eligibility questions and respond accordingly to any Eligibility you wish to claim. You will only be considered for those Eligibility questions (Status Applicant, Reinstatement, Schedule A, etc.) you respond in the affirmative to, regardless of what documentation you submit. We cannot assume you intended to respond differently to a question based on other information in your application package.
• Complete the application questionnaire. Applicants are asked all questions regardless of their consideration preferences. We will only consider you for the grades, series, locations, specialties, and other considerations that you self-identify as being qualified for or interested in. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12982884
• Verify all required documentation is included in your application package, review your responses to the assessment questionnaire for accuracy, and then submit your application.

In addition to the required documents, we encourage you to submit a cover letter, copy of your transcripts, and any applicable certifications or licenses. Even though this information is not required at the time of application, we may request this information later.

We cannot assume responsibility or grant extensions for personal issues (e.g., troubles navigating the application process, loss of internet, not understanding a question) when applying to our announcements. For technical difficulties, contact HR Systems Support between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM ET Monday through Friday at hrss@nih.gov.

If you need any other accommodation or assistance with applying, please contact NIH HR Service Desk Branch E at ohrcsdbranchesrvdsk@od.nih.gov. Requests for reasonable accommodations must be made before the announcement closing date.

Visit our site for information on NIHs EEO program, Reasonable accommodation procedures, laws, policy statements, and the operation of the EEO complaint process.

Agency contact information

NIH HR Service Desk Branch E

Email ohrcsdbranchesrvdsk@od.nih.gov Address National Institutes of Health

6701 Rockledge Drive

Bethesda, MD 20892

US

Next steps

Once you submit your application package, you will receive an acknowledgement email. You will be notified of the status of your applications via email. In addition, you can track the progress of your application package through your USAJOBS account.

At the discretion of the agency, you may be contacted via phone or email for an interview or to provide additional information up to several months from the closing date of the announcement. Please ensure you have provided accurate contact information. To remain in consideration, you must respond in a timely manner to our correspondence and requests for documentation or information throughout the hiring process.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Required Documents

Help

RESUME:

Your resume must clearly demonstrate, in two pages or less, how your skills and experiences align with the "Qualifications" section and support your questionnaire responses. While cover letters provided with your application will be shared with hiring officials, they will not be used for initial qualification determinations. We cannot assume required experience based on your work or academic history. If your resume exceeds two pages, only the first two will be reviewed. Use a legible font such as Lato, Calibri, Helvetica, or Arial, with 0.5-inch margins. Suggested formatting: 14-point for titles and 10-point for body text. You may use the USAJOBS Resume Builder or upload your own resume. If uploading, ensure it includes all required information and is organized so we can match the following to each position:

• Job title
• Employer name
• Employment dates (MM/DD/YYYY)
• Hours worked per week (full-time assumed; part-time prorated)
• Detailed duties, accomplishments, skills, responsibilities, and supervisory details (if applicable)
• Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)

If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, you must list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study. If the position requires a certain number of credit hours, you are strongly encouraged to list the relevant courses in your resume.

Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.

For resume writing guidance, please visit the following resources: NIH Help Applying, USAJOBS Resource Center, and the USAJOBS Resume Guidance. If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, you need to list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study.

APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE:

You must submit a completed application questionnaire.

ELIGIBILITY/PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION:

You must submit the following documentation, if applicable to you AND respond accordingly to the associated question on the online questionnaire. If you do not provide the required information, we will assume you are not eligible or you do not wish to be considered for any preference or eligibility.

• SF-50 - A copy of your most recent competitive career or career conditional SF-50 that shows the effective date of your latest position and the full performance level. You may obtain a copy of your SF-50 from your human resources office or, if you are an HHS employee, from your eOPF. If you separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration.
• Veteran Documentation: (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.). Reference Standard Form 15 (SF-15) for required documentation if you are a 10-point preference eligible. Submission of SF-15 is not required, unless you have derived preference (XP) as described in questions 7, 8, or 9 on the SF-15. In those cases, you must submit a completed SF-15 and the required documentation. For 5 point preference eligibles, you must submit your DD-214 (if separated) or any written documentation from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package.
• Schedule A (Disability Appointment): Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be printed on a medical professionals letterhead. Please note the Schedule A hiring authority neither guarantees employment, nor gives an individual preference in the hiring process.
• Documentation to support any other noncompetitive or OPM interchange agreement eligibility. Reference the Eligibility section of the questionnaire for required documents and information.
• Visit our sites on Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)for more information and required documentation.

Please do not submit any other supplementary documentation that is not requested of you. To protect your personal information, we will only send your resume and cover letter to the selecting official or hiring manager.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Help

To apply for this position, please read and follow all instructions in this announcement, complete the online application, and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on 06/29/2026 to receive consideration.

• To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply.
• Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. See the "Required Documents" section for any additional forms and/or supplemental materials required.
• Read all Eligibility questions and respond accordingly to any Eligibility you wish to claim. You will only be considered for those Eligibility questions (Status Applicant, Reinstatement, Schedule A, etc.) you respond in the affirmative to, regardless of what documentation you submit. We cannot assume you intended to respond differently to a question based on other information in your application package.
• Complete the application questionnaire. Applicants are asked all questions regardless of their consideration preferences. We will only consider you for the grades, series, locations, specialties, and other considerations that you self-identify as being qualified for or interested in. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12982884
• Verify all required documentation is included in your application package, review your responses to the assessment questionnaire for accuracy, and then submit your application.

In addition to the required documents, we encourage you to submit a cover letter, copy of your transcripts, and any applicable certifications or licenses. Even though this information is not required at the time of application, we may request this information later.

We cannot assume responsibility or grant extensions for personal issues (e.g., troubles navigating the application process, loss of internet, not understanding a question) when applying to our announcements. For technical difficulties, contact HR Systems Support between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM ET Monday through Friday at hrss@nih.gov.

If you need any other accommodation or assistance with applying, please contact NIH HR Service Desk Branch E at ohrcsdbranchesrvdsk@od.nih.gov. Requests for reasonable accommodations must be made before the announcement closing date.

Visit our site for information on NIHs EEO program, Reasonable accommodation procedures, laws, policy statements, and the operation of the EEO complaint process.

Expand Hide how to apply

Agency contact information

NIH HR Service Desk Branch E

Email ohrcsdbranchesrvdsk@od.nih.gov Address National Institutes of Health

6701 Rockledge Drive

Bethesda, MD 20892

US

Next steps

Once you submit your application package, you will receive an acknowledgement email. You will be notified of the status of your applications via email. In addition, you can track the progress of your application package through your USAJOBS account.

At the discretion of the agency, you may be contacted via phone or email for an interview or to provide additional information up to several months from the closing date of the announcement. Please ensure you have provided accurate contact information. To remain in consideration, you must respond in a timely manner to our correspondence and requests for documentation or information throughout the hiring process.

Expand Hide next steps

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems. NIH employs approximately 18,000 employees in varied occupations, all supporting research efforts that improve health and save lives. For more information on NIHs mission and goals, and its 27 Institutes and Centers, visit the NIH website.

Virtually explore the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) Bethesda campus, learn about scientific research, and get to know NIH community members who are working to help people live longer, healthier lives: https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/.

This position is located at the NIH Clinical Center (CC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Bethesda, Maryland. The NIH Clinical Center is the largest hospital in the world totally dedicated to translational clinical research. The hospital maintains a 200-bed inpatient capacity with 18 outpatient clinics (including 3 Day Hospitals) to support the intramural research programs of the 17 Institutes and Centers with clinical programs on the NIH Bethesda, MD campus.

Agency contact information

NIH HR Service Desk Branch E

Email ohrcsdbranchesrvdsk@od.nih.gov Address National Institutes of Health

6701 Rockledge Drive

Bethesda, MD 20892

US

Summary

The incumbent supervises the Recreation Therapy section, which encompasses creative arts therapies (i.e. recreation therapy, art therapy, massage therapy and music therapy) of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department (RMD) of the Clinical Center (CC), National Institutes of Health (NIH). The incumbent directs clinical recreation and creative arts therapy programs and treatment interventions for patients and their families.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Posted today · Apply by 06/29/26

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 29, 2026

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Montgomery County, MD

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $121,785 - $158,322 per year Pay scale & grade

GS 13

Promotion potential 13

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type Permanent

Occupations and job series

• 0638 Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist

Supervisory status Yes Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No

Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number NIH-CC-MP-26-12982884 Control number 872649000

Previous result

Next result

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.

Sign out Stay signed in

Return to top

USAJOBS is a Opens in a new windowUnited States Office of Personnel Management website.

(Opens in a new window) OPM on LinkedIn (Opens in a new window) OPM YouTube channel (Opens in a new window) OPM on X

• Opens in a new windowEEO Policy Statement
• Opens in a new windowReasonable Accommodation Policy Statement
• Opens in a new windowVeterans Information
• Opens in a new windowLegal and Regulatory Guidance
• Opens in a new windowAbout USAJOBS
• Opens in a new windowAccessibility
• Opens in a new windowFOIA
• Opens in a new windowInspector general
• Opens in a new windowNo Fear Act Data
• Opens in a new windowPrivacy policy
• Opens in a new windowReports and publications
• Opens in a new windowTerms and conditions
• Opens in a new windowUSA.gov