Recreational Therapist

Overview

Introduction:
Are you interested in a rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals through innovative recreational therapy interventions?

Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center (SRSTC) within the Department of Health Services (DHS) is recruiting to fill multiple full-time Recreational Therapist positions in Mauston, WI. Working hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with some Saturdays and evenings required depending upon programming.

SRSTC opened in 2001 and provides care and treatment for several different patient populations. The center houses Wisconsin’s Sexually Violent Persons Program, provides care and treatment for persons found not guilty by reasons of mental disease or mental defect, and provides court ordered treatment, testing, and education to patients found not competent to stand trial. SRSTC is a 500-bed treatment facility and is part of the Division of Care and Treatment Services (DCTS).

Watch this video to learn more about the work of DCTS.

As an employee of the State of Wisconsin, you ll have access to an amazing benefits package, including:

• 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays and ample sick time.
• Top-rated health plan options starting at $45/month for single plans and $111/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service.
• Exceptional pension plan with a 7.2% employer match in 2026 with lifetime retirement payment. Plus, a tax advantaged supplemental retirement savings plan which allows you to save money directly from your paycheck for retirement. Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.

As a Recreational Therapist, you are responsible for developing and implementing a recreational therapy program focused on leisure and independent living skills for your assigned living units and throughout the facility. This program is intended to prepare patients for community life. Your responsibilities will include:

• Assessing the needs and goals of the patients and developing programming based on their needs.
• Participating as an active member of the multidisciplinary team including collaborating and consulting as needed.
• Providing training to therapeutic recreation students.
• Planning, organizing, and implementing group and individual activities (e.g., arts, crafts, sports, exercise, etc.) with patients.

• These positions may be filled at the Therapist or Therapist-Senior level based on the selected candidate’s qualifications. A 12-month probationary period is required.
• The starting pay for the Therapist is between $28.00 - $32.10 per hour (approximately $58,200-$66,800 per year), depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits. The pay schedule/range is 11/05.
• The starting pay for the Senior level is between $32.00 - $40.29 per hour (approximately $66,500-$83,800 per year), depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits. The pay schedule/range is 11/04.
• Pay for current or former state employees is set based upon the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction.

• All appointees will be required to receive a TB test, which will be administered by SRSTC or medical personnel approved by the facility within 30 days of hire.
• All applicants who may be appointed will be required to allow DHS to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.
• DHS does not sponsor work visas for these positions; selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire. DHS is not an E-Verify employer nor a STEM-OPT eligible employer.

Minimally qualified applicants will have at least one of the following:

• A bachelor s degree in recreation therapy, or within 3…