.5 Special Education School Occupational Therapist (Includes Incentive)

About the Role

A licensed professional who has the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure that diverse student populations have equitable access to academic instruction and participation in school-related activities; develops, implements, and supports evidence-based services and/or specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of students; supports growth and development to close achievement gaps and prepare students for postsecondary and workforce success; has a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of the home, school and community, and collaborates with all members of the education team to strengthen those connections; through reflection, advocacy, and leadership, enhances the outcomes and development of students.

Essential Functions

• Reports consistently for work as scheduled
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards
• Applies knowledge of the ways in which learning takes place, including the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of their students
• Complies with applicable state and federal laws, district administrative policies, procedures, and practices, and location requirements
• Demonstrates high standards for professional conduct
• Demonstrates knowledge of effective services that reduce barriers to and support learning
• Demonstrates knowledge of school occupational therapy and integrates evidence-based practices and research findings into services for students
• Demonstrates leadership in the school, the community, and the teaching profession
• Demonstrates mastery of and expertise in school occupational therapy
• Demonstrates professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership
• Develops and implements services related to student needs, learning, and progress towards goals
• Engages students as individuals with diverse needs and interests, across a range of ability levels by adapting services for the benefit of students
• Ensures that students are supervised at all times
• Establishes and communicates high expectations and use strategies to support the development of critical-thinking, problem-solving skills, and self-advocacy
• Follows established policies and procedures regarding the health, safety, welfare, and education of students
• Fosters a safe, accessible, and predictable learning environment characterized by acceptable student behavior and efficient use of time in which each student has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults and peers
• Instructs, assesses, and differentiates for all students' academic, social, emotional, and health needs
• Integrates and utilizes appropriate available technology to engage students in authentic learning experiences
• Links professional growth to professional goals
• Maintains accurate records
• Manages materials and supplies
• Models and promotes effective communication
• Models appropriate conduct at all times
• Performs duties as directed by supervisors and administrators
• Performs non-instructional duties as directed
• Plans and delivers effective services in an environment that facilitates learning for students
• Provides services aligned with state and federal laws, local policies and procedures, Colorado Academic Standards, the organized plan of instruction, and the individual needs of students
• Responds as directed and as necessary in safety and/or crisis situations
• Responds to a complex, dynamic environment
• Supervises volunteers and paraprofessionals where applicable
• Supports and establishes safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments for a diverse population of students
• Understands and responds to diversity within the home, school, and community
• Uses and integrates technology to support professional responsibilities, instruction, data interpretation, and student learning
• Uses effective conflict resolution
• Uses feedback and reflects about professional practice to improve teaching and learning
• Utilizes formal and informal assessments to inform planning and service delivery
• Works collaboratively with the families and/or significant adults for the benefit of students

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in various software systems
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from many diverse backgrounds and professions including supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, and the general public
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to greet and interact with the public in a courteous and professional manner
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities
• Ability to use technology to improve instruction and learning, and to interpret test data
• Ability to work days, hours, locations, and assignments as directed by the supervisor within the position responsibilities
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision
• Commitment to the education of students as a primary responsibility
• Communicates effectively with students and adults in a wide variety of settings
• Computer proficiency including office productivity applications
• Demonstrates citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness
• Demonstrates effective organizational and time management skills
• Detail-oriented
• Energetic, creative, innovative, flexible
• Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills
• Grade level, content/subject area, and inquiry-based skills
• Knowledge of and experience with how technology integration supports learning
• Knowledge of Colorado Academic Standards, curriculum, standards-based instruction, assessment, and differentiation
• Knowledge of effective classroom and positive behavior management
• Knowledge of Special Education, other educational programming, and associated legal requirements as related to the needs of the students assigned to the SSP
• Knowledge of the academic, emotional, physical, and social development of students
• Promotes a positive climate, culture, and community
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills
• Student-centered and relationship-focused
• Understanding of data privacy laws and their implications for the educational community
• Willingness to participate in ongoing training as required

Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment may alternate among quiet, moderate, and loud
• Frequently required to interact in person and through communication methods with the students, public, and/or other staff
• Required to work scheduled school/work hours and/or days
• May be required to work extended school/work hours and/or days as directed
• Operates primarily independently and frequently with others in a professional school environment indoors regularly and outdoors occasionally
• Routinely uses standard classroom and office equipment
• Directly responsible to provide for the health, safety, and welfare and education of students, ensuring students are under supervision at all times

Physical Demands

• Sits, stands, walks, stoops, kneels, and crouches/squats while performing duties
• Has oral and auditory capacity enabling interaction interpersonally and/or through communication devices
• Uses eyes, hands, and finger coordination enabling the use of equipment and writing utensils
• The job is very active and regularly requires periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing while on duty
• Regularly required to talk and hear
• Typical demands require staff to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, and may be higher for some assignments depending on position and student need; climb stairs, ladders, and/or stools; reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; use fingers to operate computer keyboards; feel the shape, size and temperature of objects; and physically restrain students when necessary
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers, handle or feel; and to reach with hands and arms
• Requires the ability to speak and to be understood, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, and to detect odors

Cognitive Functions

• May be required to analyze, communicate, compare, compile, compute, coordinate, copy, evaluate, instruct, negotiate, synthesize, reason, and use interpersonal skills

Qualifications

Required: Meets subject, grade level, and/or content area qualifications consistent with Colorado Department of Education and Academy District 20 requirements - Academy District 20, Special Services Provider License: Initial - Colorado Department of Education, Special Services Provider License: Professional - Colorado Department of Education

Preferred: Not specified

Compensation

Pay: $52,800.00-$85,242.00 (Based on education and experience at 100% FTE)

Schedule: 18.75 hours per week, 3.75 hours per day, 183 days per year, Monday-Friday

Benefits: Part-time - Regular. For more information on our benefits, please visit Employee Benefits | Academy District 20 (asd20.org).

Due to the unique nature of many Special Education positions, a variety of these positions are eligible for an annual stipend: Occupational Therapist - $8,500

Application Process

New applicants (including current district staff members) must use the Workday application portal. Documents emailed directly to a supervisor will not be considered for application purposes and will not receive a response.

A completed online application includes the following uploaded documents in PDF format:

• A current resume
• Complete undergraduate and graduate transcripts (in color, readable, and reflecting official status where applicable)
• Applicable Colorado License or evidence of eligibility as indicated in the job posting ("Evidence of Eligibility" means license application with CDE is in process)
• (optional) Three current letters of recommendation (ie: within the last 2-3 years)

Please do not call to request site visits or interviews at the school/location. Please direct all inquiries via the email address indicated on the posting.

Hiring Manager Email: lisa.brandt1@asd20.org