Recreation Therapist, CF-Salinas Valley State Prison; SVSP

Department Information

Vision. We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission. To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug‑free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to building an inclusive and culturally diverse workplace. We are determined to attract and hire more candidates from diverse communities and empower all employees from a variety of cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts to increase representation at all levels of the Department.

CDCR/CCHCS values all team members. We work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population, which includes medical, dental, nursing, mental health, and pharmacy. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR/CCHCS mission.

Commitment to the California Model. CDCR and CCHCS are proud to partner on the California Model which will transform the correctional landscape for our employees and the incarcerated. The California Model is a systemwide change that leverages national and international best practices to address longstanding challenges related to incarceration and institutional working conditions, creating a safe, professional, and satisfying workplace for staff as well as rehabilitation for the incarcerated.

Additionally, the California Model improves the success of the decarcerated through robust re‑entry efforts back into the community.

This advertisement is for a Recreation Therapist, CF position(s) located at Salinas Valley State Prison – Soledad, located in Monterey County. Position number: 936‑220‑9286‑XXX. Main communication for this position will be through email. Department Website:

Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires each full‑time employee in Bargaining Unit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, to have their base salary reduced by 3 percent and will receive 5 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes. Part‑time employees are subject to the same conditions as full‑time employees, on a prorated basis equivalent to their time‑base.

Permanent intermittent employees are subject to the same condition as full‑time employees, based on the number of hours worked in the pay period.

Limited Term: 12 months; may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.

Pay and benefits:
This classification is subject to Section 5, Hiring‑Above‑Minimum (HAM) Authorization of the California State Civil Service Pay Scales. The authorized HAM rate for this classification is $9 159.

Individuals may be eligible to receive a $10,000 one‑time recruitment and retention stipend, including but not limited to remaining employed with CCHCS for six months. Additionally, individuals may be eligible to receive a monthly recruitment and retention differential during their first year with a total of $5 000.

Referral bonus:
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) employees may be eligible for a $5 000 referral bonus should you be selected for hire and remain employed with CCHCS for 90 days. A questionnaire must be completed during the pre‑employment process.

Under the supervision of the Senior Psychologist (Supervisor), the Recreation Therapist provides specialized programs…