Job Description

Salary

$16.06 - $28.90 Hourly

Location

Jackson, LA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

ELMHS11.19.25TRS2

Department

LDH-Office of Behavioral Health

Opening Date

11/19/2025

Closing Date

11/26/2025 11:59 PM Central

About this Job

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Division

: Within the Rehabilitation Department at ELMHS, Located in Jackson, LA
The Mission of ELMHS is to provide mental health evaluation, treatment, habilitation, and consultation for adults. Programs include inpatient interventions, jail-based evaluations, supervised group home and residential programs, forensic evaluation, care, custody, and aftercare; intermediate and long-term psychiatric care are coordinated with the total system of care in Louisiana.


ELMHS is looking for a motivated, detail-oriented individual to join the team in the Rehabilitation Department as a

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist 2!

Minimum Qualifications

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Four years of experience as a teacher, instructor, or counselor in a recreational program plus one year of experience in recreation therapy; OR



A bachelor's degree in a rehabilitation, recreation, or therapy field, a physical education field, or psychology plus one year of experience in recreation therapy; OR



Possession of certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in accordance with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification plus one year of experience in recreation therapy.

Job Specification

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The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties and Other Information

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Job Duties:

In this role, you will:

Directs and organizes such activities as sports, dramatics, games, and arts and crafts to assist patients to develop interpersonal relationships, to socialize effectively, and to develop confidence needed to participate in group activities. Instruct clients in relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, concentration, and other activities. Regulates content of program in accordance with patients or clients capabilities, needs, and interests. Instruct clients in calisthenics, stretching and limbering exercises, and individual and group sports. Counsels and encourages clients to develop leisure activities. Organizes and conducts special outings, such as ball games, sightseeing, or picnics to make patients aware of available recreational resources. Prepares progress charts and periodic reports for medical staff and other members of treatment team reflecting client's reactions and evidence of progress or regression. May supervise and conduct in-service training of other staff members, review their assessments and program goals, and consult with them on selected cases. May train groups of volunteers and students in techniques of therapeutic recreation. May serve as a consultant to other state agencies, educational institutions, and community health programs. May prepare and submit requisitions for needed supplies. May be required to provide some diversionary recreation or creative arts activities and services from time to time or on a continuing basis, in addition to medically prescribed therapy activities.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type:

Classified WAE- a temporary, part-time appointment (When Actually Employed and not to exceed 1,245 hours in a 12-month period)


How To Apply:

No Civil Service test score

is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.


Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).Resumeswill not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Contact Information:

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Leigh Moore


ELMHS HR


ELMHS-HR@LA.GOV


225-634-0680


Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.



Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.



As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:

Insurance Coverage

More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave

- Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave

- State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:New Year's Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Mardi Gras, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor


State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement

- State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to): Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system*
Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org), * Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others