Recreational Activities Specialist 2026-02627

General Description

The Wyoming Department of Corrections contributes to public safety by exercising reasonable, safe, secure, and humane management while actively providing offenders opportunities to become law-abiding citizens. The Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution (WMCI) is designed to serve as the main intake and assessment center for male inmates. It serves as a primary education and treatment center for inmates identified as requiring high levels of protective custody and medical, mental health, dental, substance abuse, life skills, cognitive/behavioral, and/or sex offender treatment services.

This position works directly with and supervises the inmates daily at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution in the recreational area.

Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement - Pension and 457(b) plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities and MUCH MORE! Click here for detailed information, or you can watch this short video to learn about our benefit package!

Want to see the full value of your compensation beyond salary?

Explore our Total Compensation Calculator: compensationcalculator.wyo.gov

Essential Functions

The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function which may be performed at the job level.

• Assists with the development and administration of the recreational program for the facility utilizing various forms of recreation to meet the physical, cognitive, and sensory needs of the individuals.
• Creates a schedule that includes daily, weekly, monthly, and annual recreation/leisure activities for large groups of inmates.
• Monitors participants during recreational activities to ensure institutional and individual safety.
• Completes regular inventories of supplies and equipment and prepares requests for new or replacement equipment and supplies.
• Prepares schedules for inmate recreational activities and special projects.
• Coordinates and facilitates inmate incentive programs.
• The work schedule may include weekends and evening hours.
• Responsible for ensuring a safe and enjoyable workplace, including participation in initiatives designed to promote a positive work environment

Preferences

Preference may also be given to those with 3 years of work experience with a Recreational background and/or prior Corrections experience.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of recreational therapy practice, principles, and procedures.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations pertaining to the area of specialization.
• Knowledge of recreational materials, tools, and equipment, and their care and use.
• Knowledge of the rules and procedures for a wide variety of team and individual sports and games, including Fantasy sports.
• Knowledge of individual and group work techniques used in recreational instruction and organization.
• Knowledge of community resources available to the recreation program of the institution.
• Knowledge in applicable computer applications, including Excel.
• Knowledge of emergencies and dangerous situations and how to physically respond to them.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree (typically in Recreation Therapy)

Experience

0-1 year of progressive work experience (typically in recreational therapy)

Education & Experience Substitution

• 3-4 years of progressive work experience (typically in recreational therapy)
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None

Physical Working Conditions

• Physical ability to lift, twist, bend, pull, and push up to 50 lbs.
• Climbing on an occasional to regular basis
• Walking on cement floors on an occasional to regular basis
• Stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching on an occasional basis
• Reaching on a regular basis
• Standing on an occasional to regular basis
• Pushing/pulling on a regular basis
• Typing/Repetitive motion on an occasional to regular basis
• Talking/hearing on a frequent basis
• Seeing: the visual ability to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• A background check, including the taking of fingerprints, will be completed through the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Family Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for every successful applicant.

Notes

• FLSA: Non-Exempt
• The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities. No notice of eligibility will be sent to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.
• The Wyoming Department of Corrections is a Drug-Free Workplace. All staff members are subject to drug testing while employed by the WDOC.
• The Wyoming Department of Corrections is a Tobacco-Free Workplace and prohibits the taking, carrying, possessing, or introducing of smoking materials, smokeless tobacco, or tobacco substitutes on or into WDOC facilities or grounds.
• The Wyoming Department of Corrections is in compliance with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003. It is the policy and practice of WDOC to protect inmates and offenders from abuse, corporal punishment, personal injury, disease, property damage, harassment, and the elimination of prison rape.
• Successful applicants for employment must pass a background/reference check, medical evaluation, and drug test prior to appointment.
• The Wyoming Department of Corrections has a strict dress code policy to include standards for facial hair, body art, and piercings/gauges. All applicants must meet the standards of this dress code to be considered for employment.
• The Wyoming Department of Corrections offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, paid vacations and sick leave, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement program, Wyoming State Retirement, 457 deferred compensation program, and longevity pay.

• Click here to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.
• Click here to view the State of Wyoming Total Compensation Calculator.

URL

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.