Activities Coordinator - Oregon State Hospital - Salem

Initial Posting Date: 09/22/2026

Application Deadline: 10/01/2026

Agency: Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range: $4,519 - $5,714

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Activities Coordinator - Oregon State Hospital - Salem

Job Description:

If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply! At the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more equitable future for all.

The Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon is searching for 1 Activity Coordinator to join our team. This position is within the Treatment Services Department at Oregon State hospital (Anchors Mall) which provides evaluation and treatment to persons with mental illness.

The shift for this position is Wednesday-Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All work is performed onsite in a fast-paced office environment.

Oregon State Hospital, a Joint Commission and Center for Medicaid Services (CMS) certified public psychiatric hospital, provides psychiatric hospital services and patient treatment services to approximately 700 persons committed by the Oregon courts as part of the state mental health system. This work is performed by almost 3,000 employees in a 24/7, locked facility environment.

What you will do!

The primary purpose of the Activity Coordinator position is to provide patients at the Oregon State Hospital access to healthy leisure opportunities during their treatment stay that can teach the benefits of wellness and physical activity as well as the use of recreation and leisure activity as a contributor to emotional and physical well-being. This position also enhances the therapeutic milieu and expands treatment services on the evenings and weekends by providing leisure, recreation and social activities.

Activity Coordination / Patient Care

• Plan, facilitate and lead recreation of up to 32 hours activities and programming and assist with treatment groups.
• Coordinate staff resources, structure, and implement recreation activities and programming.
• Assist clinical staff in groups and therapeutic activities.
• Maintain, track, and communicate an up-to-date work/events schedule.
• Understand and apply recovery values and processes in recreation activities and programming for hospital patients.
• Evaluate, create, develop and vary new recreation opportunities for assigned patient groups.
• Evaluate recreation activities and programming for efficacy, feasibility and patient satisfaction.

Communication and Documentation

• Document participation in activities, events, groups and 1:1 activity according to OSH standards.
• Report behaviors, participation levels and needs of individual patients to Treatment Mall Manager.
• Notify staff and residents of programs, activities, and events by posting schedules and notices.
• Maintain logs of facility use, programs and activities.

Professional Development and Department Standards

• Attend all assigned departmental and supervisory meetings unless excused by Treatment Mall Manager.
• Attend all mandatory training as required by OSH policies, Treatment Services department, and other trainings as assigned within one month of expiration.
• Identify personal training needs and participation in educational opportunities for continued career development.
• Meet with Treatment Mall Manager regularly.
• Report and coordinate work functions with Treatment Mall Manager.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Experience in advancing health equity, addressing systemic health inequities and collaborating with diverse communities most harmed by social injustice and health inequities.

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of experience working with mentally, emotionally, behaviorally, or physically impaired clients. A Bachelor’s degree in behavioral or social science (e.g. social work, human services, psychology, child development, gerontology, health, or health education) may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Desired Attributes

The following are desired attributes that we have identified as key to success for this role at OHA. These are the attributes we are looking for in our top candidate. If you have any of these, please let us know in your application.

• Experience working with people experiencing acute emotional, behavioral, or mental distress.
• Experience working in an institutional setting, preferably a secure/locked facility.
• Experience creating and leading recreational activities for patient groups in an institutional setting.
• Experience managing multiple schedules in a fast paced environment that require last minute adjustments in order to meet patient demands.
• Prior experience in the creation of a positive work/team culture through the intentional use of communication, customer service, and inclusive practices that support a diverse population.

Application Guidance

Your candidate profile and application are your opportunity to showcase your skills and interest in this role. Submissions will be reviewed for clarity, consistency, and communication skills, and for alignment with the guidance provided below:

Submission Requirements:

• Resume – Attach your current resume that clearly outlines your education and work experience relevant to this position.
• Cover Letter – A cover letter is not required for this position.
• Supplemental Questions – Answer all supplemental questions completely and accurately.

Final Check! – Before submitting, confirm that all required materials are included, and your Workday Job History is current. The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.

How to Apply:

External Candidates: Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage or click the “Apply” tab above to submit your application, following all submission requirements.

Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through their employee Workday login, following all submission requirements.

After You Apply:

Complete any pending tasks in Workday under “My Applications” prior to the application deadline. Check your email (including junk folder) and Workday inbox regularly for updates on your application.

Reminders:

Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. To protect your information and ensure correct processing, please follow the instructions for submitting your Veterans’ Preference documentation. Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline.

About the Team & Benefits of Joining

If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authority is the place for you. We also offer a competitive benefits package including:

• Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family.
• Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare.
• Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 10 hours/month.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Details

This announcement is for 1, full-time, permanent, SEIU Represented, Activities Coordinator position based in Salem, Oregon. This is an on-campus position. “Review Section 4: Working Conditions” in the position description (linked above) for more information. Employment is contingent upon a criminal records check, drug screen, and a driving records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment. The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying range. If the successful candidate qualifies for PERS, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. For more information, see the Classification and Compensation page. The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process. This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to verify work authorization. If your employment eligibility depends on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet the requirements for this position. We evaluate candidates based on their own skills and experience. Unless explicitly approved, outside resources – including Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools – are not permitted during assessments or interviews. Use of unauthorized resources will disqualify a candidate from further consideration.

Contact Information

Recruiter: Melissa Perez, SPHR
Email: melissa.m.perez@oha.oregon.gov
Phone (text friendly): 503-949-3078

Accommodation Requests (ADA):

OHA provides reasonable accommodations under the ADA, which may include alternative formats of materials or language support. If you need an accommodation to apply for this position or participate in the selection process, please contact the recruiter listed above.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources | What You Need to Know to Get the Job

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on protected class – including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation – and does not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position.

OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon.