Therapeutic Specialist FT - Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS)

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

Are you ready to join a team that is “Building Community Through Fun?” Are you ready to make a difference?

The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live and work. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS’s 20-year strategic plan identifies the approach and projects to support healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of Stewardship, Nature, Equity & Access, Identity and Public Life.

The Department creates and activates thriving places near where people live and work. These places are destinations for play and learning with 48 community centers, 10 regional parks, 209 plus neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and over 60 miles of trails. Our programs and services touch the lives of individuals and families in our community. We take public service seriously by working hard to earn the public’s trust by delivering fun and high-value spaces and programs. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit activatesj.org.

Position Duties

The Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Therapeutic Specialist vacancy in the Recreation Services Division.

The salary range for Therapeutic Specialist is $74,627.28 - $90,679.68. This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Typical Duties for the Therapeutic Specialist position include but are not limited to:

• Develops and conducts specialized programs, leisure activities and special events for individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities.
• Plans and conducts community integration experiences, cultural and community outings and wilderness experiences for individuals with disabilities.
• Plans and conducts events to promote disability awareness, public awareness of citywide Therapeutic Recreation Services, and related events.
• Builds relationships with non-profit and community partners and seeks collaborative opportunities to enhance programming.
• Plans and conducts specialized programs, leisure activities and special events for mentally, physically and neurologically disabled individuals of all ages including components of the Special Olympics program.
• Coordinates marketing and outreach efforts to expand existing therapeutic programs
• Participates in budget preparation and monitoring of in assigned program areas such as Teen Clubs, Young Adult, Programs and special events.
• Leads and trains recreation staff, new recruits and volunteers for therapeutic programs
• Must have the ability to constantly adjust to changing conditions and support a wide variety of customers, agencies, and department staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation and Leisure Services, Therapeutic Recreation, or closely related field.

Experience

One (1) year of full-time recreation leadership, programming experience, or swimming pool management experience, including six (6) months specialized experience in therapeutic recreation programs serving disabled individuals.

Acceptable Substitutions
Additional years of increasingly responsible recreation leadership, programming experience or swimming pool management experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis for up to two (2) years. There will be no substitute for the required one (1) year of full-time recreation leadership, programming experience or swimming pool management experience, including six (6) months of specialized experience.

Licenses/Certificates

• Valid State of California Class C driver's license (Class B license may be required for some positions);
  
• First Aid and Basic Life Support Certificate as required by the State Department of Health may be required;
  
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor's Certificate may be required.
  
• American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certificate may be required.
  
• Registration for one or more of the following may be required:
  

• Art Therapist, State of CA;
  
• Music Therapist, State of CA;
  
• Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, NCTRC;
  
• Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist, State of CA
  

Other Qualifications

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Knowledge of evidence-based practices in therapeutic recreation.
• Knowledge of theory and practice of community mental health, cognitive, behavioral and various experiential interventions.
• Knowledge of community agencies and resources in the field of mental health, alcohol and drug abuse.
• Ability to relate effectively with disabled persons, fellow employees and the public.
• National Recreation Therapy Certification (NRTC) and or Recreation Therapy Certificate (RTC) highly desired.

Collaboration - Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities. Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally, and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.

Conflict Management - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people, by presenting the facts, analysis and conclusions or solutions that show command of content and perspectives and interests of the audience.

Creativity - Addresses objectives and problems while questioning traditional assumptions/solutions in order to generate creative ideas and new ways of doing business; exhibits creativity and innovation when contributing to organizational and individual objectives; seeks out opportunities to improve, streamline, reinvent work processes.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Building Trust - Communicates an understanding of the other person's interests, needs and concerns; identifies and communicates shared interests and goals; identifies and communicates differences as appropriate; demonstrates honesty, keeps commitments, and behaves in an appropriate manner.

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process may consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions regarding selection or hiring process, please contact Jaine Davies PRNS Employee Services Analyst at jaine.davies@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 10/8/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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