Therapeutic Activities Manager Danville State Hospital

THE POSITION

As a Therapeutic Activities Manager with Danville State Hospital, you will help shape patient experiences that inspire progress and personal development. This position allows you to guide staff, strengthen programs, and support a therapeutic setting that values each individual. Your efforts will help ensure that activities are safe, engaging, and aligned with recovery goals. Become part of a team that promotes wellness, creativity, and meaningful patient participation!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position manages the Therapeutic Recreation Department and ensures that activities support patients’ recovery, safety, and emotional well-being at Danville State Hospital. As a Therapeutic Activities Manager, you will perform the following duties:

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  Program Leadership: Oversee therapeutic recreation services and ensure compliance with standards and patient needs
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  Activity Evaluation: Review the effectiveness of activities and adjust programs to support recovery-oriented and culturally responsive care
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  Staff Supervision: Direct staff hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluation to maintain high levels of service
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  Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work with treatment teams to create and support individualized therapeutic activity plans
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  Documentation Oversight: Ensure accurate and timely documentation of activities, patient participation, and staff records
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  Safety Monitoring: Observe activity areas, manage equipment needs, and respond appropriately to behavioral concerns

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. This may change based on operational needs.
  • Occasional evening, weekend, or holiday coverage may be required based on departmental needs.
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  Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
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  Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• FREE parking!
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

• One year of experience as a Therapeutic Activities Supervisor (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of professional experience providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities, one of which must be supervisory; and a bachelor’s degree with major coursework in therapeutic recreation; physical education; vocational rehabilitation; vocational education or counseling; art, music, dance, or occupational therapies; or a related human services field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of professional supervisory experience providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
  • Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
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  Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.