Recreation Therapy Assistant

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

NOTE: This announcement has been extended to close on September 25 2026. Applicants who previously applied do not need to re-apply.


Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Carrying out a full range of Therapeutic Recreation programs and interventions inclusive of recreation treatment modalities and general recreation (diversional) activities.
• Working with patients who have a variety of illnesses diseases and/or disabling conditions with varying degrees of impairment.
• Working with patients on an individual basis in small groups or in large groups depending on the patients physical and mental status and individual needs for treatment.
• Completing and maintaining patient records.
• Coordinating and assisting in implementing program elements (e.g. Tai Chi Yoga Pet Therapy Creative Writing Pool Therapy and Arts and Crafts Festivals etc).
• Applying diverse treatment plans for patients whose physical and mental condition requires the application of nonstandard in addition to standard treatment procedures and approaches.
• Performing other related duties assigned.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Required Documents below for details.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.

Specialized Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in Federal service. Specialized experience which has given you the particular knowledge skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this Recreation Therapy Assistant position. Qualifying specialized experience include work as an assistant to one of the specialized therapies such as occupational physical manual arts corrective or educational therapy; or experience gained as an assistant or aid in patient care social work or psychology where the duties involved actual participation in physical medicine and activities of a hospital or clinic. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented in your resume and must include job title duties month & year starting and ending dates AND hours worked per week.
OR
Education Substitution: You must have successfully completed one-half year (9 semester hours) of graduate education or an internship with course work that is directly related to the position of a Recreation Therapy Assistant. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without transcripts.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: Possess a combination of directly related graduate level education and specialized experience. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without transcripts and experience must be documented in the resume.

Physical Demands: The Recreation Therapy Assistant position requires significant physical activity throughout the workday. Duties frequently involve loading and unloading wheelchairs and adaptive sporting equipment sometimes requiring lifting carrying and maneuvering items of various recreational items. The assistant may also be needed to facilitate activities such as exercise addition the role requires frequent walking throughout the facility including escorting or pushing Veterans to and from designated areas. This position involves considerable standing bending lifting walking long distances and moving equipment or supplies between locations. Stamina strength and flexibility are essential to perform these physical tasks safely and efficiently.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at

Required Experience:

Junior IC