Recreation Program Specialist 3 (PS3) – Chehalis

Full Job Description

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: Recreation Program Specialist 3 (PS3)
Location: Chehalis, WA
Closes: Friday, April 10, 2026
Salary: $56,880.00 - $74,724.00 Yearly. The salary does not include an additional 5% premium pay for employees working in an on-site 24/7 facility.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is accepting applications for a Recreation Program Specialist 3.

You will oversee the operations of the Recreation Therapy Department at our Green Hill School located in Chehalis, Washington.

This position supervises Recreation Therapists, Recreation & Athletic Specialists, internship students, and volunteers.

This position contributes to Green Hill School’s mission by scheduling and coordinating clinical recreation therapy activities for all clients and assuring recreation therapy assessment tools are completed and incorporated into patients’ individual recreation therapy treatment plans.Some of what you'll do:

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, and supervises the Therapeutic and Specialty Recreation Department at Green Hill School to meet specific and general needs, interests, and abilities of the youth.
• Performs and/or is responsible for the completion of assessments of youth in a specialty service and recommends and/or performs appropriate recreational therapeutic plan of care.
• Develops and monitors treatment protocols, clinical programs, and quality insurance activities.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates student programs. Instructs directs and evaluates students in recreation therapy.
• Research promotes and provides opportunities for continuing education courses and training in recreation therapy and clinical specialties.
• Serves as back-up for residential counselors and responds to emergent situations, fulfills reporting and documentation requirements identified in JR policies and related statutes and rules.
  
  

Required qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited Therapeutic Recreation Program AND three years of clinical experience as Recreation Therapist 2.

OR

Equivalent education/experience.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Demonstrated understanding of adolescent development and juvenile rehabilitation practices and principles.
• Demonstrated competency in relating to clients from diverse backgrounds and cultural groups.
• This position must be able to apply verbal de-escalation and compliant control skills with residents using JR approved Dealing with Resistive Youth (DWRY) techniques.

How do I apply?
Complete and submit your applicant profile.

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving.

We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement, for more information on employee benefits eligibility visit Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact the Talent Acquisition Specialist.

If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.

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