OPT Recreation Assistant Jobs
Recreation Assistant jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in kinesiology, sport management, recreation administration, or public health. Most roles are with parks departments, campus recreation centers, or community organizations, and standard OPT work authorization covers full-time and part-time positions equally.
Find OPT Recreation Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 51+ Recreation Assistant jobs
See all 51+ Recreation Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Recreation Assistant roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob Posting Title
Recreation Therapist II, I or Recreational Activities Specialist II, I
Agency
452 MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERV.
Supervisory Organization
Oklahoma Forensic Center
Job Posting End Date
Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
Full/Part-Time
Full time
Job Type
Regular
Compensation
II-$21.15, I-$20.19
Job Description
Recreation Therapist II, I
Recreational Activities Specialist II, I
Join a team that CARES!
Here at ODMHSAS, we believe in I.C.A.R.E. – Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Our mission is to promote healthy communities and provide the highest quality care to enhance the well-being of all Oklahomans. We take that very seriously – because we care!
About us:
Come grow with us! The Oklahoma Forensic Center (OFC) located in Vinita, OK is a 24 hour/365 day secure inpatient forensic facility that provides jail competency services for the State of Oklahoma. Currently, OFC has 268 beds for consumers who have been found Incompetent for adjudication or adjudicated as Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity.
About the Position:
Here at the Oklahoma Forensic Center the Recreation department is hiring for Recreation Therapists that would be responsible for planning, organizing, directing and conducting client therapy programs and instructing or supervise clients in an inpatient behavioral health facility.
Job Type/Salary:
- Open/Close dates: 6/24/2026-until filled
- Full-time
- Hourly payrate: Level I-$20.19, Level II-$21.15
- Primary Working Hours are 8:00am-4:30pm
- FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
- Primary Work Location/Department: Oklahoma Forensic Center/Recreation Department
- Vacancies: 1
Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
- Recreation Therapist I- Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy, outdoor recreation, physical education or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Recreation Therapist II- Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a master’s degree in recreational therapy, outdoor recreation or physical education; or a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy, outdoor recreation or physical education and one year of experience in recreational therapy; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Recreational Activities Specialist I- Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of one year of experience in instructing/directing a community service or recreational program; or in closely related work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Recreational Activities Specialist II- Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree in physical education, recreation, recreational therapy, or a closely related field; or a bachelor’s degree and one year of experience in instructing/directing a community service or recreational program; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special Requirements:
- May be required to work occasional weekends.
- Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill any job-related travel normally associated with this position and as such have a valid driver’s license.
- Must be able to pass an OSBI background check.
Great Reasons to Work with Us:
ODMHSAS is proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees and their dependents. Our benefits include:
- Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums
- A wide choice of health insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations
- Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses or dependent care
- Employee assistance programs and health and fitness programs
- 11 paid holidays
- 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year
- Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match
- Longevity Bonus for years of service
- Student Loan repayment options
- Training opportunities for CEU requirements
Drug and Alcohol Pre-employment and Pre-placement Testing: Upon a conditional offer of employment, applicants for safety sensitive positions shall be required to submit to urinalysis to test for drugs. Appointment to a safety sensitive position shall be contingent upon a negative drug test result.
THIS AGENCY REQUIRES COVERAGE 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS PER WEEK. WORK HOURS AND LOCATION MAY VARY DEPENDING ON BUSINESS NECESSITY. EMPLOYEES MAY BE REQUIRED TO WORK WEEKENDS AND OVERTIME.
Reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request.
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:
Agency Contact
Job Posting Title
Recreation Therapist II, I or Recreational Activities Specialist II, I
Agency
452 MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERV.
Supervisory Organization
Oklahoma Forensic Center
Job Posting End Date
Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
Full/Part-Time
Full time
Job Type
Regular
Compensation
II-$21.15, I-$20.19
Job Description
Recreation Therapist II, I
Recreational Activities Specialist II, I
Join a team that CARES!
Here at ODMHSAS, we believe in I.C.A.R.E. – Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Our mission is to promote healthy communities and provide the highest quality care to enhance the well-being of all Oklahomans. We take that very seriously – because we care!
About us:
Come grow with us! The Oklahoma Forensic Center (OFC) located in Vinita, OK is a 24 hour/365 day secure inpatient forensic facility that provides jail competency services for the State of Oklahoma. Currently, OFC has 268 beds for consumers who have been found Incompetent for adjudication or adjudicated as Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity.
About the Position:
Here at the Oklahoma Forensic Center the Recreation department is hiring for Recreation Therapists that would be responsible for planning, organizing, directing and conducting client therapy programs and instructing or supervise clients in an inpatient behavioral health facility.
Job Type/Salary:
- Open/Close dates: 6/24/2026-until filled
- Full-time
- Hourly payrate: Level I-$20.19, Level II-$21.15
- Primary Working Hours are 8:00am-4:30pm
- FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
- Primary Work Location/Department: Oklahoma Forensic Center/Recreation Department
- Vacancies: 1
Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
- Recreation Therapist I- Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy, outdoor recreation, physical education or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Recreation Therapist II- Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a master’s degree in recreational therapy, outdoor recreation or physical education; or a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy, outdoor recreation or physical education and one year of experience in recreational therapy; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Recreational Activities Specialist I- Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of one year of experience in instructing/directing a community service or recreational program; or in closely related work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Recreational Activities Specialist II- Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree in physical education, recreation, recreational therapy, or a closely related field; or a bachelor’s degree and one year of experience in instructing/directing a community service or recreational program; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special Requirements:
- May be required to work occasional weekends.
- Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill any job-related travel normally associated with this position and as such have a valid driver’s license.
- Must be able to pass an OSBI background check.
Great Reasons to Work with Us:
ODMHSAS is proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees and their dependents. Our benefits include:
- Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums
- A wide choice of health insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations
- Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses or dependent care
- Employee assistance programs and health and fitness programs
- 11 paid holidays
- 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year
- Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match
- Longevity Bonus for years of service
- Student Loan repayment options
- Training opportunities for CEU requirements
Drug and Alcohol Pre-employment and Pre-placement Testing: Upon a conditional offer of employment, applicants for safety sensitive positions shall be required to submit to urinalysis to test for drugs. Appointment to a safety sensitive position shall be contingent upon a negative drug test result.
THIS AGENCY REQUIRES COVERAGE 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS PER WEEK. WORK HOURS AND LOCATION MAY VARY DEPENDING ON BUSINESS NECESSITY. EMPLOYEES MAY BE REQUIRED TO WORK WEEKENDS AND OVERTIME.
Reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request.
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:
Agency Contact
See all 51+ OPT Recreation Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Recreation Assistant Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Recreation Assistant
Target employers with established OPT hiring
University recreation departments and large municipal parks agencies hire OPT students regularly. These organizations have HR teams familiar with work authorization paperwork, which makes the process smoother than approaching smaller private facilities for the first time.
Apply before your OPT start date
You can accept a job offer before your EAD card arrives, but you cannot start working until the card is in hand and your OPT start date has passed. Apply early so onboarding timelines align with your authorized work start date.
Tie your degree to the job description
OPT requires work to be directly related to your degree field. When applying, explicitly connect your kinesiology, recreation, or public health coursework to the role's responsibilities in your cover letter and resume to satisfy DSO and employer verification requirements.
Track your employment for SEVP reporting
You must report your Recreation Assistant position to your DSO within 10 days of starting. Keep records of your employer name, address, job title, and start date. Gaps in reporting can jeopardize your immigration status and future visa options.
Clarify full-time vs. part-time requirements with your DSO
Standard OPT requires at least 20 hours per week to count as valid employment. Some recreation roles are seasonal or hourly. Confirm your scheduled hours meet USCIS minimums before accepting a position to avoid falling out of status.
Use STEM OPT extension eligibility strategically
Most Recreation Assistant roles do not fall under STEM-designated degree programs, so the 24-month STEM extension typically does not apply. Plan your job search and visa transition timeline around the standard 12-month OPT window from the start.
Recreation Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Recreation Assistants?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. A Recreation Assistant position connects naturally to degrees in kinesiology, sport management, recreation administration, or public health. You'll need a valid EAD card before your first day, and you should confirm the connection with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Do Recreation Assistant employers typically sponsor visas after OPT ends?
Sponsorship varies significantly by employer type. Large university athletic departments and well-funded municipal parks agencies are more likely to consider H-1B visa sponsorship for full-time staff roles. Smaller community centers and nonprofits often lack the HR infrastructure for sponsorship. Browse Recreation Assistant roles on Migrate Mate to identify employers who have sponsored work visas before.
Does a Recreation Assistant job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Typically no. Recreation Assistant roles are not associated with STEM-designated degree programs under the DHS STEM list. If your degree is in a STEM field unrelated to recreation, the work authorization requirement still demands the job connect to your specific degree. Check with your DSO to confirm your degree's STEM designation status before assuming you qualify for the 24-month extension.
How many hours per week do I need to work to maintain valid OPT status?
USCIS requires OPT employment to be at least 20 hours per week to count as valid work authorization usage. Recreation Assistant positions are often part-time or seasonal, so verify your scheduled hours before accepting. Working fewer than 20 hours per week, or having gaps exceeding 90 cumulative days of unemployment, can result in a status violation.
What should I report to my DSO after starting a Recreation Assistant job?
You must report your employer name, work address, job title, and start date to your DSO within 10 days of beginning work. Your DSO updates this information in SEVIS, the federal student tracking system. Failing to report on time is a compliance violation even if your employment itself is fully authorized, so treat DSO reporting as a required first step, not an afterthought.