Recreational Therapist

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES For Veterans and those who care for them. RECREATIONAL THERAPIST

Job Location:

Arizona State Veterans' Home - Tucson
555 East Ajo Way
Tucson, Arizona 85713 Posting Details:
Salary: $16.50- $20.35 hourly (DOE) Grade: 17 Closing Date:
January 30, 2026

Job Summary:

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!

Our award-winning Tucson Veterans' Home was voted Newsweek's "2025 Top Nursing Home in the Country" and is seeking a compassionate, part-time, 21 hours per week Recreational Therapist.

Your rewards:

• The opportunity to receive a pension and healthcare benefits for a lifetime!
• Generous paid time‑off benefits
• Wellness, 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

• Plan and develop therapeutic recreation programs
• Develop a monthly recreation calendar and maintain Activities/Recreational Therapy bulletin board
• Purchase items needed for planned programming
• Maintain a personal caseload of assigned Veterans/Members
• Conduct recreational therapy sessions with individuals and groups in accordance with established treatment plans and specific techniques which may include special community events and involvement with the community and veteran service organizations
• Maintain appropriate clinical and administrative records regarding diagnosis, treatment and summary of Veteran/Member progress
• Completes all therapeutic recreation assessments, care plans, MDS, CAS modules and daily attendance/progress notes
• Attend care plan meetings to participate in discussions and problem‑solving processes
• Transport Veterans/Members to and from community outings using State Vehicles
• Act as a guide and trip leader to ensure proper Veteran/Member participation and safety
• Remains involved in AMS processes such as Huddle Boards, Problem Solving, Job
• Breakdown Sheets, Success Tracking, and Standardized work

Knowledge of:

• The therapeutic value of recreational activities
• Principles, practices and techniques of recreational therapy
• Methods used to accomplish therapeutic goals through recreational programs
• Community resources for recreational activities

Skill in:

• Applying recreational therapy techniques
• Demonstrating therapeutic recreation/activities
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Basic computer skills

Ability to:

• Transport residents in State vehicle

Bachelor degree or higher in Therapeutic Recreation or a related field, and /or hold valid certification as a Recreational Therapist by either the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification or the National Association of Activity Professionals.

• Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license
• Must possess a valid AZ Department of Public Safety (DPS) Fingerprint Clearance card

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply:
Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E‑Verify).

The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave‑Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly‑placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long‑term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short‑term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Paul Sharp at recruiting or  for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.