Activities Director

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES For Veterans and those who care for them. ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR

Job Location:

Arizona State Veterans' Home - Phoenix
4141 North Silvestre Herrera Way
Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Salary: $51,700.00 - $55,000.00 annually (DOE)
Grade: 20
Closing Date:
January 13, 2026

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps veterans thrive? At the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS), we are committed to serving and honoring veterans, service members, and their families by ensuring that they receive the highest quality services so they can thrive for a lifetime!

Your rewards:

• The opportunity to receive a pension and healthcare benefits for a lifetime!
• Generous paid time-off benefits
• Wellness and employee assistance programs, plus so much more!

Your Contribution:

• Provide the highest quality direct care services to veterans
• Participate in facility meetings, training sessions, and the implementation of the Arizona Management System (AMS) to achieve continuous improvement and efficiency
• Use and develop your potential within a supportive team environment

• Design, plan, organize, coordinate, and implement recreation therapy services.
• Monitor and confer with department staff and interdisciplinary team regarding overall treatment plan.
• Monitor and evaluate responses to the programs to determine whether activities meet the assessed needs of the Veterans/Members, and make revisions as needed.
• Ensure services are delivered in compliance with facility policies and procedures, as well as with the state, VA, and federal regulations
• Provide training, education and support for therapeutic staff to ensure the goals and objectives of the work are met.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the interdisciplinary care plan for all residents receiving wellness services; attend care plan meetings.
• Assist Veterans/Members in the organization and continued development of council meetings in compliance with federal and state guidelines.
• Maintain program and administrative records; prepare reports; ensure that information is documented in accordance with regulations and facility policies and procedures.
• Participate in budget planning process; monitor expenditures and work within budget parameters. Manage supplies and equipment for the Recreation Therapy and Wellness Services Programs.
• Develop and coordinate volunteer programs for the Arizona State Veteran Home to include orientation, training, assignments, supervision, and evaluation.
• Act as a liaison between the facility and community organizations and stakeholders.
• Review Activities/Recreational Therapy policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards; create new policies and procedures, as needed.
• Complete special projects, as assigned.
• Attend agency meetings and serves on various committees.
• Be actively involved in AMS processes

Knowledge of:

• State administrative rules, policies and procedures governing the agency and work section
• Principals, practices, and techniques of recreation therapy
• Alternative therapeutic modalities
• The physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of the dementia patient
• Community resources
• Recruitment and training of staff/volunteers

Skill in:

• Verbal and written communication
• Time management
• Recreation therapy activities
• Observing and assessing behavior and progress of patients; applying the appropriate non-medical therapeutic modality
• Developing and carrying out patient behavioral care plans within an interdisciplinary team concept
• Supervisory/leadership

Ability to:

• Transport residents in a state vehicle

Clinical training/experience. Strong background using one or more alternative therapy modalities.

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field
• Requires certification as a Recreation Therapist by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification or the National Association of Activity Professionals, or certification as a Music Therapist by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, or credential as a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant.
• Curre…