Recreation Programmer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Job Class: Recreation Therapist or Recreation Therapist Senior

Agency: Direct Care and Treatment

Location: Moose Lake

Telework Eligible: No

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Unlimited

Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers

Date Posted: 09/04/2026

Closing Date: 09/17/2026

Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Direct Care and Treatment / MAPE Forensics

Division/Unit: MSOP / MSOP ML Recreation

Work Shift/Work Hours: 7:30-4:00pm with at least one evening shift per week

Days of Work: Tuesday - Saturday

Travel Required: No

Recreation Therapist Salary Range: $26.12 - $37.91 / hourly; $54,538 - $79,156 / annually

Recreation Therapist Senior Class Salary Range: $28.75 - $42.16 / hourly; $60,030 - $88,030 / annually

Classified Status: Classified

Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCT does not participate in E-Verify.

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) is a residential, sex offense specific treatment program in a modified therapeutic community and secure setting that provides services to over 700 individuals who have been civilly committed for sexual offending. MSOP is a national leader in the industry and is committed to providing services on the leading edge of the comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and management of clients. MSOP has facilities in Moose Lake and St. Peter, MN.

Our team in Moose Lake, MN is seeking a dynamic, dedicated individual to join us for a unique and rewarding opportunity as a Recreation Therapist or Recreation Therapist Senior. The Recreation Therapist/Recreation Therapist Senior plays an important role in developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative therapeutic recreation and leisure programs for Minnesota Sex Offender Program clients. Working within applicable rules, regulations and polices, the Recreation Therapist demonstrates creativity and flexibility in the treatment planning process which includes collaborating with the treatment team. These programs promote client independence through goal planning, scheduling and promoting daily activities.

• Providing services to persons with mental illness, assessing leisure/recreational needs, creating and facilitating treatment interventions, organizing and preparing recreation participation opportunities
• Working with others in developing and implementing psychosocial rehabilitation programs
• Facilitating and contributing to recreation programming design, development and evaluation which promotes client independence while also teaching clients constructive use of their leisure time through goal planning and promoting healthy daily activities
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing to provide appropriate and timely documentation of therapeutic service delivery
• Participating in department meetings/committees for the purpose of enhancing therapeutic programming

Note: This vacancy is being posted at the Recreation Therapist and Recreation Therapist Senior levels; the level at which the positions are filled will be determined based on the successful candidate's qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications

Recreation Therapist Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Park/Recreation & Leisure, Physical Education, Social Work, or Psychology, or a highly related field.

OR

• 2 years of clinical experience working in a mental health, substance use disorder, and/or sex offender specific treatment setting. Experience should include at least 4 of the following:
• Patient Assessment
• Patient Treatment/Intervention Planning
• Patient Outcome Evaluation/Tracking
• Group Facilitation
• Adaptation of Activities
• Program Development
• Caseload Management

OR

• 2 years' experience working under the direction of a Recreational Therapist to deliver recreation therapy services.

Education Substitution:

• Associates degree in Recreation Therapy may substitute for six months clinical experience.

Recreation Therapist Senior Minimum Qualifications:

• 2 years of experience as a Recreation Therapist

OR

• 4 years of experience providing recreation therapy services. Experience must include at least 4 of the following:
• Patient Assessment
• Patient Treatment/Intervention Planning
• Patient Outcome Evaluation/Tracking
• Group Facilitation
• Adaptation of Activities
• Program Development
• Caseload Management

OR

• Current certification with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation and;
• 6 months post-certification experience providing recreation therapy services

Education Substitution:

• Associates degree in Recreation Therapy may substitute for six months experience providing recreation therapy services.
• Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Park/Recreation & Leisure, Physical Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a highly related field may substitute for 1 year of experience providing recreation therapy services.
• Master's degree in Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Park/Recreation & Leisure, Physical Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a highly related field may substitute for 18 months of experience providing recreation therapy service

Additional Requirements

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – Direct Care & Treatment will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.

EDUCATION VERIFICATION - Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their high school diploma at time of interview OR copies of their college transcript or college degree/diploma at time of interview. Copies of the college degree/diploma are acceptable ONLY if it clearly identifies the field in which it was earned.

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) healthcare facilities require employees to provide documentation that they are free from tuberculosis (TB) through a blood test prior to employment. DCT does not accept TB skin testing.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance is needed.