Therapeutic Activities Worker - SCI Smithfield

As a Therapeutic Activities Worker with the Department of Corrections (DOC), you play a key role in supporting positive change within a secure and structured environment. Your guidance helps inmates in specialized housing units build stability, develop constructive habits, and stay engaged in their treatment goals.

This position supports therapeutic recreation within specialized housing units and contributes to the overall treatment goals for inmates. You will work closely with a multi‑disciplinary team to plan and deliver effective therapeutic recreation services.

• Team Participation: Attend treatment team meetings and offer recommendations for therapeutic recreation
• Program Planning: Contribute to the design and delivery of individual and group recreation activities
• Activity Coordination: Coordinate inmate therapeutic activities with other treatment disciplines
• Program Delivery: Conduct individual and group recreation programming with instruction and support
• Program Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate recreation programs and suggest changes that meet inmate needs, interests, and abilities
• Resource Management: Request supplies and schedule space and equipment needed for programming

• Full‑time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday—Friday, with a 30‑minute lunch
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55
• Telework: You will not have the opportunity to telework in this position
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non‑negotiable

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Four years of experience providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities
• 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
• An equivalent combination of experience and training
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree

• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required
• You must meet the PA residency requirement
• You must be able to perform essential job functions

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements

• Pennsylvania law provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs

• 711 for hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.