<p>THE POSITION</p> <p>The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is looking for a compassionate and dedicated individual to join our team at the Southeastern Veterans' Center. As a Therapeutic Activities Worker, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of the brave men and women who have served our country. If you are passionate about providing exceptional care and creating meaningful experiences for our residents, we encourage you to apply for this position. Join us in honoring and supporting our veterans through engaging and enriching activities.</p> <p>Watch this video to see how you can make a difference caring for Pennsylvania's veterans working for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Come join the DMVA team, apply today!</p> <p>DESCRIPTION OF WORK</p> <p>As a member of the interdisciplinary team, you will play a crucial role in helping residents at the Southeastern Veterans' Center reach their highest potential in terms of physical, cognitive, and social abilities. You will assist in planning and organizing various recreational and educational activities, as well as outings, to promote socialization, interpersonal relationships, self-respect, self-esteem, and self-help skills. Your responsibilities will also include providing transportation and escorting residents to and from programs and activities such as social parties, dances, and dinners. Your dedication and support will greatly contribute to the overall well-being and quality of life for our valued residents.</p> <p>Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.</p> <p>Work Schedule and Additional Information:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Full-time employment (8 hours per day/40 hours per week)</p> </li><li> <p>Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (1st shift), rotating weekends and holidays, with a 30-minute lunch.</p> </li><li> <p>Flexible schedule, evenings and weekends as operationally necessary</p> </li><li> <p>Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.</p> </li><li> <p>Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.</p> </li><li> <p>You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.</p> </li></ul> <p>REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY</p> <p>QUALIFICATIONS</p> <p>Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:</p> <ul> <li>Four years of experience providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities; or </li><li>A bachelor's degree with major coursework in therapeutic recreation; physical education; vocational rehabilitation; vocational education or counseling; art, music, dance, or occupational therapies; or a related human services field; or </li><li>An equivalent combination of experience and training. </li><li>Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits. </li></ul> <p>Other Requirements:</p> <ul> <li>You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency. </li><li>You must be able to perform essential job functions. </li></ul> <p>Legal Requirements:</p> <ul> <li>A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination. </li><li>This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act. </li><li>Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance. </li></ul> <p>How to Apply:</p> <ul> <li>Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). </li><li>If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. </li><li>Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. </li><li>Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. </li></ul> <p>Veterans:</p> <ul> <li>Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans. </li></ul> <p>Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):</p> <ul> <li>711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). </li></ul> <p>If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.</p> <p>The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.</p> <p>EXAMINATION INFORMATION</p> <ul> <li> <p>Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).</p> </li><li> <p>Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.</p> </li><li> <p>Your score is valid for this specific posting only.</p> </li><li> <p>You must provide complete and accurate information or:</p> </li><li> <p>your score may be lower than deserved.</p> </li><li> <p>you may be disqualified.</p> </li><li> <p>You may only apply/test once for this posting.</p> </li><li> <p>Your results will be provided via email.</p> </li></ul> <p>Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!</p> <p>See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.</p> <p>Health & Wellness</p> <p>We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*</p> <p>Compensation & Financial Planning</p> <p>We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.</p> <p>Work/Life Balance</p> <p>We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*</p> <p>Values and Culture</p> <p>We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.</p> <p>Employee Perks</p> <p>Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.</p> <p>For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.</p> <ul> <li>Eligibility rules apply. </li></ul> <p>01</p> <p>Have you successfully completed or are you within three months of completing a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation; physical education; vocational rehabilitation, vocational education or counseling; art, music, dance, or occupational therapies; or a related human services field?</p> <p>If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.</p> <p>If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.</p> <p>For additional information on foreign education credentials, please visit https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information. You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li><li>No </li></ul> <p>02</p> <p>If you are within three months completing a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation; physical education; vocational rehabilitation, vocational education or counseling; art, music, dance, or occupational therapies; or a related human services field, on what date do you expect to graduate? If this does not apply to you, please type N/A in the text box.</p> <p>03</p> <p>How much college coursework have you completed in therapeutic recreation; education; vocational rehabilitation, education, or counseling; therapy (art, dance, music, occupational, physical, vocational, recreation, etc.); anthropology; counseling; criminology; gerontology; human behavior; psychology; social work/social welfare; sociology; professional nursing; or occupational or physical rehabilitation?</p> <p>If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.</p> <p>If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.</p> <p>For additional information on foreign education credentials, please visit https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information. You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.</p> <ul> <li>120 credits or more </li><li>90 but less than 120 credits </li><li>60 but less than 90 credits </li><li>30 but less than 60 credits </li><li>Less than 30 credits </li><li>None </li></ul> <p>04</p> <p>How many years of full-time experience in providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities do you possess?</p> <ul> <li>4 years or more </li><li>3 but less than 4 years </li><li>2 but less than 3 years </li><li>1 but less than 2 years </li><li>Less than 1 year </li><li>None </li></ul> <p>05</p> <p>If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <p>06</p> <p>You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.</p> <p>All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.</p> <p>Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.</p> <p>If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.</p> <p>If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li></ul> <p>07</p> <p>WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - DEVELOP OBJECTIVES AND MAINTAIN RECORDS</p> <p>Develops and implements therapeutic activities goals and objectives as part of comprehensive individual treatment plans. Maintains administrative and clinical records of therapeutic activities services planned and provided to meet departmental requirements.</p> <p>Levels of Performance</p> <p>Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.</p> <ul> <li>a. I have experience developing and implementing THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES goals and objectives as part of comprehensive individual treatment plans AND maintaining administrative or clinical records of therapeutic activities services planned and provided to meet departmental requirements. </li><li>b. I have experience developing and implementing goals and objectives as part of comprehensive individual treatment plans AND maintaining administrative or clinical records, in a field OTHER THAN therapeutic activities services. </li><li>c. I have experience maintaining administrative or clinical records of services planned and provided. </li><li>d. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to therapeutic recreation or vocational rehabilitation. </li><li>e. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior. </li></ul> <p>08</p> <p>In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.</p> <ul> <li>The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience </li><li>Your experience developing and implementing goals and objectives </li><li>Your experience maintaining administrative or clinical records </li></ul> <p>09</p> <p>If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <ul> <li>College/University </li><li>Course Title </li><li>Credits/Clock Hours </li></ul> <p>10</p> <p>WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - MEETING TREATMENT PLAN GOALS</p> <p>Provides instruction, directions, and support to residents/adjudicated youth involved in therapeutic activities services to encourage progress in relation to treatment plan goals. Levels of Performance</p> <p>Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.</p> <ul> <li>a. I have experience providing instruction, direction, or support to residents/adjudicated youth involved in therapeutic activities services to encourage progress in relation to treatment plan goals. </li><li>b. I have experience providing instruction, direction, or support to residents/adjudicated youth in a group or home setting to encourage progress in relation to treatment plan goals. </li><li>c. I have experience providing instruction, direction, or support to individuals OTHER THAN residents/adjudicated youth in therapeutic activities services or a group or home setting to encourage progress in relation to treatment plan goals. </li><li>d. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to occupational therapy. </li><li>e. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior. </li></ul> <p>11</p> <p>In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.</p> <ul> <li>The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience </li><li>Your experience providing instruction, direction, or support </li><li>To whom you provided instruction, direction, or support </li></ul> <p>12</p> <p>If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <ul> <li>College/University </li><li>Course Title </li><li>Credits/Clock Hours </li></ul> <p>13</p> <p>WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - TEAM MEETINGS</p> <p>Attends multi-disciplinary team meetings to recommend the use of specific therapeutic activities methods for individual treatment plans. Levels of Performance</p> <p>Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.</p> <ul> <li>a. I have experience attending multi-disciplinary team meetings and recommending the use of specific therapeutic activities methods for individual treatment plans. </li><li>b. I have experience attending multi-disciplinary team meetings in a field OTHER THAN therapeutic activities services and making recommendations. </li><li>c. I have experience attending multi-disciplinary team meetings and reporting individuals progress in meeting activity goals and objectives. </li><li>d. I have NO experience related to this work behavior. </li></ul> <p>14</p> <p>In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.</p> <ul> <li>The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience </li><li>Your experience attending multi-disciplinary team meetings </li><li>The field of the meetings attended </li></ul> <p>15</p> <p>WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - DIRECT AIDES AND PLAN ACTIVITIES</p> <p>Directs and instructs volunteers in conducting individual and group therapeutic recreation activities for residents/adjudicated youth such as culinary activities, arts and crafts, gardening, physical activities and games, library activities, music appreciation activities, socialization activities, and off-ground activities. Plans and conducts facility-wide events, fairs, picnics, Special Olympics, and seasonal activities, for residents/adjudicated youth. Levels of Performance</p> <p>Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.</p> <ul> <li>a. I have experience directing or instructing volunteers or other individuals in conducting individual or group therapeutic recreation activities for patients, AND planning or conducting facility-wide events for residents/adjudicated youth. </li><li>b. I have experience directing or instructing volunteers or other individuals in conducting individual or group activities, OR planning or conducting facility-wide events for residents/adjudicated youth. </li><li>c. I have experience directing or instructing volunteers or other individuals in conducting individual or group activities, OR planning or conducting facility-wide events for individuals OTHER THAN residents/adjudicated youth. </li><li>d. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to culinary arts, art, or music. </li><li>e. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior. </li></ul> <p>16</p> <p>In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.</p> <ul> <li>The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience </li><li>Your experience directing or instructing volunteers or individuals in conducting activities </li><li>Your experience planning or conducting events </li></ul> <p>17</p> <p>If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <ul> <li>College/University </li><li>Course Title </li><li>Credits/Clock Hours </li></ul> <p>Required Question</p> <p>Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania</p> <p>Address 613 North Street</p> <p>Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120</p> <p>Website http://www.employment.pa.gov</p>