Initial Posting Date:

08/29/2025

Application Deadline:

09/08/2025

Agency:

Department of Corrections

Salary Range:

$5,349 - $6,418

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Activities Coordinator, Corrections Recreation Specialist 2 (Salem)

Job Description:

Activities Coordinator, Corrections Recreation Specialist 2

Oregon State Correctional Institution (Salem)

Oregon Department of Corrections

The Oregon Department of Corrections has an exciting opportunity for a Corrections Recreation Specialist at the Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem, Oregon. This position is 5 day/8hr shift work week, Monday through Friday. The standard working hours are 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, although these hours are flexibles as candidates will be required to work some evenings and weekends for special events. 

This position is represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). This position may be eligible for Police & Fire (P&F) benefits through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), as defined by statute.

About the Job – Your Role

The primary purpose of this position is to provide structured and meaningful activities for Adults in Custody (AICs) at OSCI. This role is responsible for designing, coordinating, implementing, and supervising a variety of large-scale, multi-program recreational therapy and leisure activities within a secure facility. These programs are recreational, cultural, and skill-building in nature, and are specifically designed to be goal-oriented, supporting the development of physical skills, socially acceptable behaviors, and general knowledge. The AIC population is highly diverse, with varying backgrounds, learning styles, and social abilities, and the activities are tailored to meet those broad needs. Examples of programming may include music programs, cognitive skills classes, cultural events, wellness initiatives, art projects, and self-enhancement workshops. The focus of these programs is to engage AICs in more complex and challenging activities that encourage critical thinking and personal growth, with the goal of helping them develop skills and abilities they can carry forward upon release. Additionally, this position collaborates closely with security and transition staff to ensure all activities align with institutional security protocols and are in accordance with the Oregon Accountability Model (OAM), as well as ODOC policy, procedures, and administrative rules. These specialized programs also serve as a tool to assess an individual’s potential for successful transition back into the community.

Minimum Qualifications

Your application materials will be reviewed to verify that you have:

• Three (3) years of experience assessing, developing, coordinating, and implementing recreational programs and leisure time activities; OR
• A bachelor's degree in Recreational Management, Physical Education or a related field.

Requested Skills

• Ability to design, implement, and evaluate recreational, cultural, and special interest programs that meet the needs of a diverse AIC population.
• Experience screening, training, and managing volunteers, ensuring all contributions meet institutional standards and security protocols.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with community partners, volunteers, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to monitor program budgets, trust accounts, and inventories of supplies while ensuring compliance with financial procedures.
• Excellent communication skills for responding to communications, submitting reports, and informing staff of AIC-related events.
• Experience supervising groups, community participants, and volunteers, providing direction, oversight, and support in a secure and structured environment.
• Skilled in assessing individual and group needs through document review, communication, and observation; capable of tracking and reporting progress.
• Capable of evaluating program challenges, addressing security or behavioral issues, and making sound decisions in a fast-paced setting.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Experience organizing and planning sporting and recreational activities, as well as developing, coordinating, and managing events, programs, and schedules.
• Ability to interpret and apply statutes, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of correctional facility security protocols, including contraband control, key/tool management, and AIC supervision.

Required

• Valid driver’s license

Application Information

• In the Work Experience section of your application make sure to include the dates and duties of all relevant positions and details to support how you meet these attributes. If you do not include education or work experience meeting the minimum qualifications, you will not be considered for the position. Only the candidates whose experience most closely matches the qualifications and requested skills of this position will be invited to interview. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the job posting close date.
• The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.
• Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.
• As part of our selection process, we may require additional assessment stages, such as written exercises, to further evaluate candidates’ qualifications. Meaningful participation in these exercises is required for all applicants moving forward in the process. Failure to complete the required exercise(s) within the specified timeframe will result in disqualification from consideration. All candidates who successfully complete these screening stages and meet the necessary requirements will advance to the next stage in the selection process.
• Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.

Working Conditions

This position is located within an adult correctional facility and may involve interactions with Adults in Custody (AICs) who are angry, hostile, or abusive. Such situations can present a risk of personal injury, death, or potential hostage scenarios. You will be responsible for responding to AIC incidents in your immediate work area and for helping to prevent escapes through the proper control of keys, tools, equipment, and other items that could be considered contraband. Reporting and documenting unusual incidents is a required part of this role.

The position may involve extended periods of standing and walking, both indoors and outdoors, including in inclement weather. Occasional travel by motor vehicle may be necessary for coordinating with community volunteers and collecting donations. You must be capable of lifting or pushing a cart with a load and must possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record, or have access to an acceptable alternative means of transportation. This position is subject to emergency call-backs and may be reassigned to other duties or locations as needed.

About the Department

The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for over 12,000 adults in custody in 12 state prisons throughout Oregon. It advises and evaluates counties regarding administration of probation and parole programs supervising more than 24,000 offenders in Oregon communities. The mission is to protect communities, promote accountability, and transform lives.

The Oregon Department of Corrections serves a diverse and changing population of people who are incarcerated and on supervision. We commit to creating an organization both reflecting the diversity of the population we serve and ensuring all employees thrive in a culture of safety, trust, and belonging. We strive to be an anti-racist corrections system. Welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all people. Free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

The Department offers a variety of programs and opportunity to create a safe and healthy environment to for our staff, volunteers, and adults in custody. Joining the Oregon Department of Corrections is joining a team working for the benefit of our communities through innovative and proven correctional practices.

Benefits

The salary range listed above is for non-PERS qualifying applicants. PERS qualifying applicants may be eligible for an adjusted range to reflect an additional 6.95%.

The State of Oregon provides a generous benefit package, which includes:

• Family health, vision, and dental insurance
• Vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays
• 21 days paid military leave for national guard and reserve components
• Optional short and long-term disability
• Term life insurance
• Fully paid retirement program
• Oregon Saving Growth Plan
• Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare
• And more

About the Process – What to Expect

• After the application deadline, a recruiter will review submissions for education and experience to identify candidates who best fit the minimum qualifications and requested skills.
• Top candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
• The hiring manager will review your application and schedule interviews.
• Interview will be held with a panel of stakeholders who have completed panel assessment training. Scores will be determined based on predetermined questions and scoring guides. Preferences points will be applied in compliance with relevant laws and bargaining agreements. There may be multiple rounds of interviews.
• Final candidates will have a background check, PREA check, and reference checks.
• A Classification and Compensation analyst will review the Workday Application of the successful candidate to determine starting wages. Learn more about Equal Pay.
• A job offer will be extended through Workday to the successful candidate. Congratulations, and welcome to the team!

Requirements for Employment

The successful candidate for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, there may be some felony convictions that could disqualify you for this position. However, having a felony record does not exclusively restrict you from being considered as an applicant. CJIS clearance is done at the conditional job offer. If you have questions about whether or not your criminal record could disqualify for you, please contact the recruiter for more information.

Additional Information – Please monitor your Workday and email accounts. You may be contacted through Workday or have additional tasks to complete.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDI&B) is embedded in the Department of Corrections core values. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Ensuring legal compliance, efficiency, and exceeding expectations to deliver the best public services.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. Additional information can be found from The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Know Your Rights.

The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for complying with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA 42 U.S.C. 1997). PREA prohibits the Oregon Department of Corrections from hiring, promoting, or contracting with anyone, (that will have direct contact with residents), who has engaged in, been convicted of, or been civilly or administratively adjudicated for engaging in sexual abuse in confinement settings. Learn more about PREA.

Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility. Please note – if you are a veteran, you will receive a task in Workday to upload your documents immediately after you submit your initial application. You will have up until 24 hours after the posted application deadline to submit the appropriate documentation.

Questions

If you have questions about the position, selection process, or need accommodations to participate in the recruitment process please contact the recruiter and reference the requisition number.

Recruiter: Maria Arellano, Maria.A.Arellano@doc.oregon.gov

Reference Number: 186081

• Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity. You may lose progress on your application.
• Workday performs weekly maintenance Friday evenings, and the system may be down for several hours.
• ODOC does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States.
• This applicant list may be used to fill future vacancies. Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.
• This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice.