Job Requisition ID: 59241 
Closing Date: 11/18/2026
Agency: Department of Human Services
Class Title: ACTIVITY THERAPIST - 00157 
Salary: $5,328 - $7,480 per month ($63,936 - $89,760 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, 30-minute unpaid lunch

Residential
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: Not available, fully in office
Headquarter Location: 1120 Washington Ave, Dixon, Illinois, 61021

Division of Developmental Disabilities

Mabley Developmental Center

Activity Therapy
Work County: Lee
Agency Contact: DHS.HiringUnit@Illinois.gov

Position Overview

The Division of Mental Health is seeking to hire an Activity Therapist for the Mabley Developmental Center located in Dixon, Illinois to provide therapeutically activity programs and conducts direct therapy for individuals served on an assigned unit, on an assigned shift. Completes activity therapy assessments and evaluative data for the development of habilitation plans. Evaluates behaviors and reactions relative to patient’s reaction with activities and leisure time. Establishes and coordinates, types and schedules of activity programs. As a member of the treatment team, participates in the formulating of treatment plans and writes programs notes. Monitors and maintains adequate resources and verifies a safe environment. Participates in formal on-the-job training opportunities.

Essential Functions

• Provides therapeutically activity programs and conducts direct therapy for individuals served at the Mabley Developmental Center on an assigned unit, on an assigned shift.
• As a member of the treatment team, participates in the formulating of treatment plans.
• Evaluates behaviors and reactions relative to individual’s reaction with activities and leisure time.
• Maintains awareness of supplies and equipment for various activities.
• Monitors and maintains adequate resources and verifies a safe environment for individuals and staff.
• Participates in formal on-the-job training opportunities to develop greater skills regarding therapeutic techniques.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree with a major in therapeutic recreation, music therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, drama therapy, leisure studies or recreation with a specialization in recreational therapy, including successful completion of an approved internship, fieldwork or practicum.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to utilize office equipment, including personal computers.
• Requires ability to work after business hours, weekends, and holidays including designated Special Olympics events/weekends.
• Requires the ability to physically restrain individuals as necessary to prevent injury to individual or others.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• Requires ability to pass the IDHS background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen for drugs prohibited from recreational use under Illinois Law.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois.  Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives.  Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well-being for everyone in Illinois.  Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.

As a State of Illinois employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
  • Benefit time modified for part-time, 12-hour, & non-standard work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com

Must apply through external site: https://illinois.jobs2web.com/job/Dixon-ACTIVITY-THERAPIST-%28UMP%29-IL-61021/1437896300/