Activity Specialist
State of Nebraska

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location:
Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:
$21.788

Job Posting:
JR2026-00022847 Activity Specialist (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
04-03-2026

Job Description:
Lincoln Regional Center is seeking one compassionate, creative, and motivated Activity Specialist to join our interdisciplinary treatment team. This position plays a vital role in supporting the emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being of patients through structured recreational, therapeutic, and leisure-based programming in a 24-hour state psychiatric facility.

If you have the passion to make a meaningful difference, we have the opportunity-let's improve the quality of life for Nebraskans together.

What We Offer:
• 156% state-matched retirement contribution
• 13 paid holidays
• Generous leave benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• 79% employer-paid health insurance
• Dental and vision coverage
• Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance
• Career growth opportunities

Hours:
Shift: Building #10 - Wednesday - Saturday 8:00am-7:00pm. 4 - 10 hours days. 1 hour lunch break. Sunday/Monday/Tuesday off.
Or
Tuesday-Saturday 8am-4:30pm- 5- 8 hour days, 30 minute lunch break. Sunday/Monday off
Schedule can be flexible.

Wage: $21.788/hour + $3.00/hour facility differential.

Job Duties

Under limited supervision, this position performs professional work planning, organizing, delivering, or leading one or more therapy services, including but not limited to:

• Recreational
• Music
• Industrial
• Motivational
• Vocational therapy services

Additional responsibilities may include:

• Supporting development of vocational, recreational, or basic living skills
• Coordinating therapy services with other departments
• Supervising or guiding para-professional therapy staff
• Completing documentation and related duties as assigned

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: Post high school coursework with an emphasis in recreation management, music, recreation therapy, occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation or related field or experience in planning, coordinating, or directing activity or therapy services.

Other: These positions require a valid drivers license. Must be 19 years of age. This position also requires proficiency in English, including the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend the language effectively. State agencies must evaluate each of their positions to determine their individual overtime eligibility status. FLSA regulations state positions cannot be exempted based on job title; rather the duties and responsibilities of each position must be evaluated by application of FLSA exemption criteria.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing therapeutic, recreational, or activity-based programming within a psychiatric, behavioral health, or long-term care setting, particularly in a 24-hour or interdisciplinary treatment environment.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, and document individualized or group therapeutic activities that support emotional regulation, cognitive development, vocational readiness, and daily living skills.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and the ability to build therapeutic relationships with individuals experiencing serious mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or co-occurring conditions.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge of: methods for planning and conducting therapeutic activities; the principles and methods of therapeutic interventions; the fundamentals and rules of various games, sports, and related leisure activities; intellectual or other developmental disabilities and gerontology.

Skill in: delivery of one or more therapy services; working cooperatively with facility personnel; utilizing therapy methods and techniques in carrying out therapeutic activities; communicating with residents, members, or patients and understanding their problems and needs; deterring deviant resident, member or patient behavior; observing, documenting, and evaluating assigned therapy services.

Ability to: form effective therapeutic relationships with residents, members, or patients; obtain and maintain resident, member, or patient interest and participation in activities; instruct residents, members, or patients how to perform an activity; observe and document resident, member, or patient behavior; keep records and compile reports; construct/modify equipment to meet the needs of clients.

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits
We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.

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