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State of Ohio
Massillon, Ohio

General Activities Therapist 2 - Heartland Behavioral Healthcare

Counselor / TherapistIncludes callIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$22.59-$26.54/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 24m ago · Verified live

Job Description

All job postings will expire at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the application deadline.

Organization: Behavioral Health - Heartland Behavioral Healthcare

Agency Contact Name and Information: Megan Trump, megan.trump@dbh.ohio.gov

Work Location: 3000 Erie Street South

Massillon, Ohio, 44646

United States

Compensation: $22.59 - $26.54

Schedule: Permanent - Full Time

Work Hours: 10:30am - 7:00pm, every other weekend

Classified Indicator: Classified

Union: OCSEA

Primary Job Skill: Therapy/Therapeutical Services

Who We Are

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH.

DBH Values

  • Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
  • Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
  • Value Driven
  • Innovative (Yes Before No)

Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the well-being of all employees, including those in recovery.

We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team.

What You'll Do

Plans, organizes, conducts, & ensures implementation of Activity Therapy programs/services such as leisure awareness, community resources, arts & crafts, dance, movies, bingo, games, tournaments, picnics, and etc.

  • Ensures programming is therapeutic & goal reaching.
  • Completes activity therapy assessments.

Works with unit Treatment Team to assist in formulating individualized goals related to activity therapy and communicates patient progress to the Team.

Prepares, completes & maintains all required records; completes clinical documentation to assure compliance with accrediting/certifying agencies (Medicare/Medicaid & Joint Commission).

Transports & escorts clients to the community on Level IV pass in relation to individualized treatment interventions.

Recommends and completes requisition forms to purchase recreation supplies & equipment.

Performs various work-related miscellaneous tasks; some setting up of equipment or chairs/tables as needed for various functions; participates & attends meetings, completes required training.

Additional Information

This is an hourly position covered by the OCSEA/AFSCME bargaining unit (union), with a pay range of 27 on the OCSEA Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours are 10:30am - 7:00pm, every other weekend. This position is located within our Heartland Behavioral Healthcare at 3000 Erie Street South, Massillon, OH 44646.

Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

Application Procedures

To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting.

We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions.

Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov).

We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at andrew.seifert@dbh.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this classification will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

  • Medical Coverage
  • Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
  • Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
  • Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave

Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)

Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

30 mos. exp. with coaching, personal training, &/or fitness instruction or 30 mos. exp. providing work direction to incarcerated persons & training &/or development.

  • Or completion of associate degree in recreation 12 mos. exp. in activity therapy or recreation.
  • Or completion of undergraduate core program in recreation 6 mos. exp. in activity therapy or recreation.
  • Or 6 mos. exp. as General Activities Therapist 1, 44211.
  • Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Therapy/Therapeutical Services

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer.

Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

Key Responsibilities

Plan and deliver therapeutic activity programs, complete assessments, and collaborate with treatment teams to set individualized goals and report patient progress. Maintain clinical records and documentation, escort clients on approved community passes, and help procure supplies and prepare spaces for activities.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Therapeutic ProgrammingIndividualized Treatment PlanningPatient Progress ReportingRecreation ProgrammingCommunity Resource CoordinationArts and CraftsClient Transportation and EscortTreatment Team CollaborationRecordkeepingRecreation Equipment Procurement

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 34% are remote, 34% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$47k–$55kMental Health Therapy median $62k (middle half $58k–$64k)24 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$55k in purchasing powerOhio index 92.8 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Ohio403 active7,820 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 34% remote · 34% no call · 66% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentloan repaymentOhio counselor listings (all specialties): 23% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 17% offer loan repayment612 active listings, Nov 2026
New Mental Health Therapy listings2,422 in the last 30 days1,438 the 30 days before (+68%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Mental Health Therapy pay trend−2.0% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

36 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

36 jobs · 26 employers
13
<$65k
10
$65k-75k
7
$75k-85k
3
$85k-95k
3
$95k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

26 jobs
401k / retirement match
92%
Sign-on bonus
50%
CME allowance
50%
Loan repayment
27% this job
PSLF eligible
4% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

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$80k-$101k
#2

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$80k-$101k
#3

Virtual Clinical Therapist (LICSW/LMHC)

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#4

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+ 34 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 1.5
Below most Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,820 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends
State of Ohio logo

About State of Ohio

Law Enforcement
Columbus, Ohio
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical Coverage
Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after eligibility period
Paid time off (vacation, personal, sick leave)
11 paid holidays per year
Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
Education and Development Opportunities
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Public Retirement Systems (OPERS, STRS, SERS, HPRS)

Living in Massillon

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$217k
Typical market rent
$1,085/mo
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
89.4
State income tax
Up to 4%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Canton-Massillon, OH metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.