Department of Civil Service

Health and Human Services - Therapy

Salary Range

NYC Metro - From $53,765 to $67,780
Rest of State - From $50,678 to $64,693

(Salary may differ from what is listed for an agency and/or location. See HELP job postings for specific salary.)

Career Ladder Information

Below is a listing of titles that are most commonly used as steps for upward mobility for this title series.

As a Recreation Therapist, you would plan and conduct activities for adult, children, and adolescent client/patient groups, working individually or as a member of a treatment team or treatment program. You would analyze and report behavioral patterns to a team leader or other supervisor, verbally or in medical records. As a treatment team member, you would participate in team meetings, recreation/leisure assessment, and evaluation. In addition, you may be required to requisition, store, and maintain equipment and supplies. If you work in the creative art therapies, you would, depending upon the specialty, provide programs in art, dance or music to achieve a therapeutic aim. The goal of each program is to bring about positive change in a client's/patient's mental, physical, and/or social behavior.

• Office for OPWDD People W Dev Disab
• Veterans Home At Montrose
• Office of Mental Health

Either 1. a bachelor's degree with a concentration or major in Music Therapy;

Or 2. a bachelor's degree in Creative Arts Therapy** with a concentration in music;

Or 3. a bachelor's degree in Music or Music Education AND one year of experience in planning and administering a music therapy program;***

Or 4. certification by the American Music Therapy Association as a Music Therapist.

Or 5. current licensure by NYS as a Creative Arts Therapist. For information about licensure, visit www.op.nysed.gov or call (518) 474-3817.

** Note the concentration of your degree in Creative Arts Therapy on your application.

*** This experience must involve development and coordination of recreational activities for geriatric patients/residents, individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with psychiatric disabilities, individuals who are physically challenged, or individuals in treatment for chemical dependency. This experience must utilize the creative therapies of art, dance or music as a psychotherapeutic means of achieving in these individuals emotional growth and increased levels of functioning.