Therapist (Recreation, Art, or Music) - Mendota Mental Health Institute

Position Summary

As a Therapist, you will serve as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team on a unit in a maximum security setting, performing the following duties:

• Designing, coordinating, implementing and evaluating therapeutic programming in conformance with unit goals and treatment methods.
• Serving as a member of the Rehabilitation Services Department.
• Training students and students from related disciplines.
• Program evaluation and research.

Salary Information

The starting pay for the Therapist is between $29.00 and $32.00 per hour (between $60,300 and $66,500 per year), depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits. The pay schedule/range is 11/05.

The starting pay for the Senior level is between $34.00 and $41.26 per hour (between $70,700 and $81,400 per year), depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits. The pay schedule/range is 11/04.

A 12-month probationary period is required for both levels. Pay for current or former state employees is set based upon the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction.

Qualifications

• Minimally qualified applicants will have the following:
• A bachelor’s degree in recreation therapy or a specialty area such as art therapy or music therapy.
• OR Certification as a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) at the time of hire by the Art Therapy Credentials Board or another national organization that certifies, registers, or accredits Art Therapists
• OR Certification as a Music Therapist through the National Board for Music Therapists or similar organization that accredits Music Therapists.
• OR Certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification or similar organization that accredits Recreational Therapists.

• Well-qualified applicants will also have at one or more of the following:
• Experience providing recreation, art, or music therapy services.
• Experience working with youth psychiatric patients.
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Two (2) or more years of experience as a professional Therapist.

How To Apply

Applying is easy! Click “Apply for Job” to start the application process. Sign in to your account or click “Register Now” to create an account before applying for the job. Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application.

Helpful Information

• Once your application is submitted, no changes are allowed. Click “Save” to allow changes to your application as needed before submitting by the deadline.
• You may want to save a copy of the job posting for referencing after the deadline.
• Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts according to the qualifications above.
• Please monitor your email for communications related to this position.
• Current or former permanent, classified, state employees must complete the online application process to be considered.
• If viewing through an external site, please apply directly at Wisc.Jobs.
• For technical assistance and general information, please see Frequently Asked Questions. For questions about the position, to request a copy of the full position description, or for other employment inquiries, please contact Rachel Libera in Human Resources at rachel.libera@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is July 22, 2026 at 11:59 pm. Applicants are strongly encouraged to allow ample time to finalize their applications keeping in mind that technical assistance is only available Monday through Friday 7:45 am – 4:30 pm. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.