JOIN OUR TEAM!

We are transforming and saving lives at DYS!

A safer Ohio: one youth, one family and one community at a time.

About Us…

The Ohio Department of Youth Services strives to save and transform the lives of youth throughout the state of Ohio. Our employees work together to support youth and empower families and communities. In addition to our three juvenile corrections facilities, we support more than 600 community programs reaching more than 90,000 youth across the state.

Our Guiding Principles…

• Demonstrate staff are our greatest resource
• Treat everyone with respect
• Cultivate a trauma responsive environment for staff and youth to thrive
• Provide the best support and services for youth and families
• Advance our culture of inclusion through understanding and appreciating staff and youth differences
• Commit to and encourage collaboration and continuous improvement to produce better outcomes for those we serve
• Celebrate collective successes and support one another through opportunities to improve

To learn more about DYS, please visit our website by clicking here.

The Opportunity: We are seeking a dedicated, energetic, and structured General Activities Therapist 2 to join our team. In this role, you will play a vital part in youth habilitation by serving in an instructional capacity, planning engaging recreational activities, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate is highly organized, committed to fostering growth in youth, and skilled at tracking progress to support overall goals.

Core Responsibilities:

Instruction and Activity Planning: Serve in an instructional capacity for youth, directly leading, planning, and implementing structured recreational activities designed to promote teamwork, skill-building, and personal growth.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Act as an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team. Recommend specific group and/or individual treatment goals and activities tailored to the needs of youth.

Reporting Progress and Tracking: Prepare, update, and maintain detailed reports for the treatment team regarding youth behavior, participation levels, and overall progress.

Logistics and Administration: Prepare and organize weekly activity schedules. Manage operational efficiency by maintaining precise inventory records of all recreational equipment and program materials.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

30 mos. exp. with coaching, personal training, &/or fitness instruction or 30 mos. exp. providing work direction to incarcerated persons & training &/or development.

Or completion of associate degree in recreation; and 12 mos. exp. in activity therapy or recreation.

Or completion of undergraduate core program in recreation; and 6 mos. exp. in activity therapy or recreation.

Or 6 mos. exp. as General Activities Therapist 1, 44211.

Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Therapy/Therapeutical Services, Juvenile Corrections, Collaboration, Customer Focus, Verbal Communication, Adaptability

BACKGROUND CHECK NOTICE:
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screening. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

PRE-SERVICE TRAINING:

All new candidates hired to the Department of Youth Services are required to attend 3 weeks of mandatory, paid training at the Correctional Training Academy in Orient, Ohio. Training Academy hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Travel, meals, and lodging are provided.

DYS is a “qualifying employer” for purposes of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness [PSLF] program.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.