Recreation Therapist

You became a Recreation Therapist to help improve lives. Imagine the impact you can make with California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS).

Increased Salaries are Just the Beginning…

The past few years have seen dramatic shifts in the health care landscape. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)/CCHCS is poised to meet the evolving clinical care demands of our patient population while responding to the day-to-day needs of our dedicated Recreation Therapists.

$109,908 - $118,386 (Onsite)

$116,113 - $136,661 (Onsite Inpatient)

Recruitment and Retention Bonus

Recreation Therapists newly hired with the state of CA are also eligible to receive a recruitment and retention bonus of up to $15,000 within the first 12 months of service.

Referral Bonus

All CCHCS/CDCR employees that refer a mental health clinician who is successfully hired by CCHCS may be eligible to receive a referral bonus of $5,000 per appointed referral.

Additional Benefits of Working with CDCR/CCHCS

But increased salaries are just the beginning – our Recreation Therapists also enjoy comprehensive State of California benefits, including:

- Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Teams within a Community of Colleagues

- Rewarding Work with an underserved patient population

- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

- Safety and Security provided by professional, well-trained Correctional Officers

- Generous Paid Time Off and Holiday Schedule

- Robust retirement plans, including 401(k), 457(b), and State of California Pension – visit CalPERS.ca.gov for retirement formulas

- Dedicated Assistance with Visa Sponsorship

- Wide variety of Geographic Settings including the Northern California Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, California Capitol, and Southern California

Take the first step and submit your CV to MedCareers@cdcr.ca.gov or apply directly to this posting today!

Special Requirements

• Current certification or eligibility from the California Board of Recreation and Parks and/or the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, Inc.
• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in recreation therapy or recreation and leisure studies from an accredited college or university.

EOE

Department Information

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts at all levels of the Department.

Department Website: