Supervisory Recreation Therapist

• Supervises Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy personnel including Recreation Therapists Creative Arts Therapists Recreation Therapy Assistants and other support staff.
• The incumbent develops administers and supervises the Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy Department by discussion with all members of the staff providing direction and defining operational procedures.
• Establishes performance standards that actively support the achievement of organizational goals and ensures staff understand their role in achieving VHA Augusta VA Service Line Department patient and stakeholder needs.
• The incumbent interviews candidates for positions recommend appointments advancements or when appropriate disciplinary actions and makes decisions that affect staff and other resources with wide latitude of control and independent judgment.
• Handles staff conflicts and problems in an unbiased fair and professional manner.
• Develops and maintains a performance improvement plan incorporating requirement from Joint Commission Ascellon and CARF programs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 7:30am to 4:00pm Monday-Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F56186/F56187
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Candidates must be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a).

• Education (Transcripts with education conferral date may be requested):
• Recreation Therapist
  • (a) A bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure with an option and/or emphasis in therapeutic recreation. The degree must be approved by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC);

OR

• (b) A bachelors degree or higher in any field from an accredited college or university and must be a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS). The degree must be approved by the NCTRC. If hired under this education the certification cannot be waived.

Creative Arts Therapist (Art)

(a) A masters degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in art therapy approved by the American Art Therapy Association on or before 3 June 30 2016. If the degree is received after June 30 2016 a masters degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in art therapy must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Art Therapy Education: a committee of the Commission on Accreditation on Allied Health Education Program.

OR

(b) A masters degree in a related field plus graduate coursework and supervised field experience in art therapy. Acceptable related fields include: Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy Social Work Psychology Addictions Counseling Psychiatric Nursing and Psychiatry AND must possess a full current and unrestricted registration as a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) approved by the Art Therapy Credentials Board. If hired under this education the registration cannot be waived.

Creative Arts Therapist (Dance/Movement)

1. A masters degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major or an emphasis in dance therapy or dance/movement therapy. The degree must be approved by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA)
2. A masters degree or higher from an accredited college or university and must be a board-certified dance/movement therapist (BC-DMT) approved by the Dance Movement Therapy Certification Board (DBMTCB). If hired under this education the certification cannot be waived. NOTE Dance/movement therapy coursework that began on or after March 15 2013 must have been approved by the ADTA subcommittee for the approval of alternate route courses.

Creative Arts Therapist (Drama)

1. A masters degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a drama degree program approved by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA)

Certification for:

• Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 4b(1)(b) certification cannot be waived.
• Creative Arts Therapy (Music). Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under paragraph 4b(5)(b) certification cannot be waived.
• Creative Arts Therapy (Dance/Movement). Applicants must be board-certified in dance/movement therapy by the DMTCB. If hired under paragraph 4b(3)(b) certification cannot be waived

Registration

• Creative Arts Therapy (Art). Must possess a full current and unrestricted registration with the ATR. If hired under paragraph 4b(2)(b) registration cannot be waived.
• Creative Arts Therapy (Drama). Must possess a full current and unrestricted registration as a RDT. If hired under paragraph 4b(4)(b) registration cannot be waived.

**NOTE: Applicants MUST submit copies of applicable transcript(s) or certification(s) with graduation/conferred date (unofficial copies are acceptable)

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: Supervisory Recreation Therapist GS-13

(a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i. Ability to provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence.
ii. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities set priorities delegate tasks meet multiple deadlines analyze organizational problems and develop and implement effective solutions.
iii. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and use data to manage workload quality performance and productivity within the service.
iv. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees team leaders and managers to include conflict management.
v. Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools.
vi. Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service.
vii. Knowledge related to administrative functions such as fiscal material supply equipment management and clinical and program management

Preferred Experience:
A. Licensure or certification in Field

B. 5 years experience in supervising and mentoring recreation/creative arts therapist. Designed implement and evaluate recreational therapy programs. Experience with regulatory standards and ethical practices accreditation and quality improvement processes.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-13 .

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.