Recreation and Athletics Specialist 2

On-Call

Walla Walla Veterans Home

We are excited to announce this wonderful opportunity to apply for our open position of Recreation and Athletics Specialist 2, on-call, here at the beautiful Walla Walla Veterans Home!

Please Note: This recruitment is for an on-call position; shifts will vary.

Here at the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for more than 500,000 veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to honorably discharged veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star.

We are seeking an energetic and enthusiastic professional to be our on-call Recreation & Athletic Specialist 2 in our Walla Walla Veterans Home. This role is imperative in meeting the needs of our residents socially, cognitively, spiritually and emotionally. Additionally, you will be responsible for facilitating one-on-one sessions and low functioning sensory activities and programs.

Active residents lead to a more fulfilling and higher quality life that you get to be a part of! Join our team and mission by applying now!

Some of what you will be doing:

• 
  Coordinating and facilitating assigned therapeutic recreation programs, including special events and outings.
• Assessing new residents using recreation history and facility interdisciplinary assessment; completing assigned MDS.
• Completing written progress notes and charting daily participation (outings, programs, one-on-one, community involvement, volunteer visits, etc) in recreation flowsheets.
• Planning and facilitating holiday programs and special events; assisting residents in maintaining their leisure lifestyle and pursuing interests.
• And much more!

Required:

• 
  A Bachelor's degree involving major study in either (a) recreation or therapeutic recreation, (b) music, drama, or physical education, or (c) psychology, sociology, or education with a minor in recreation, physical education, music or drama and one year of paid, professional recreation experience.

• One (1) year of experience as a Recreation and Athletics Specialist 1.

• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all desirble qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as license/certification/registration.

• Knowledge and experience in facilitating therapeutic recreation group programs.

Check out this awesome video here to see what it is like to work for the WDVA!

Application Process:

The top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.

Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Other Information:

• State employees must be fully vaccinated. Your vaccine status will be verified at New Employee Orientation.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Must comply with health screening requirements by undergoing a tuberculosis skin test.
• Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For further information please contact us at: recruiters@dva.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency please contact Nathaniel at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.