Occupational Therapist (Anticipated Vacancy) (SY26-27)

About the Role

Occupational Therapists provide services to students with fine motor, visual motor/visual perception, and sensory motor skills to enable them to access the BPS curriculum and participate in both school and community life to the fullest extent possible. This role is ideal for occupational therapists who seek to work where their efforts have meaningful impact in an environment that supports creativity, innovation, and respects their professional skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Evaluation:
  • Assess students referred for evaluation using appropriate testing instruments.
  • Write reports reflecting standardized test results and observations, ensuring clarity and usefulness for all involved parties, with clear recommendations.
  • Perform evaluations within timelines established by state and federal regulations.
• Occupational Therapy Services:
  • Provide therapy and consultation services based on individual student needs, in compliance with each child’s IEP or 504 Plan.
  • Deliver services in the least restrictive setting.
  • Participate in pre-referral, Team Meetings, and Student Support Team activities.
  • Provide professional development to school-based staff as requested.
  • Consult with Related Services providers, teachers, and parents to deliver effective services in various settings.
• General Responsibilities:
  • Comply with state regulations for certification and license renewal.
  • Develop, update, and adhere to daily and weekly schedules, providing a copy to each school’s principal.
  • Comply with BPS rules, policies, and procedures, as well as those of assigned schools and Special Education and Student Services departments.
  • Maintain records of prior planning, therapy notes for each child and session, and accurate student attendance records.
• Core Competencies:
  • Accountability for Student Achievement: Set ambitious learning goals, use high-expectation instructional practices, assess student learning regularly, and analyze data to measure growth and understanding.
  • Communicating Professional Knowledge: Exhibit strong knowledge of child development, design effective support plans with measurable outcomes, and provide differentiated learning experiences.
  • Equitable & Effective Instruction: Build inclusive learning environments, use engaging instructional practices, adapt services to meet diverse student needs, and ensure accessibility of curriculum and supports.
  • Cultural Proficiency: Actively respect and value students’ diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges.
  • Parent/Family Engagement: Build collaborative relationships with families, communicate clear expectations, and share strategies for learning and development at school and home.
  • Professional Reflection & Collaboration: Reflect on practice, seek feedback, collaborate with colleagues, and provide expertise to support academic, behavioral, and social-emotional learning experiences.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Massachusetts License in Occupational Therapy.
• Current authorization to work in the United States by the first day of employment.

Pay

Refer to www.bostonpublicschools.org/ohr (under "Employee Benefits and Policies") for salary and compensation details, listed by Unions and Grade/Step.

Schedule

Start and end times of BPS schools vary, as do the lengths of the school day. Some schools have a longer day through the "Schedule A" Expanded Learning Time (ELT) agreement.