Special Education Physical Therapist (Includes Incentive) - 2026/2027 School Year

Location: Education and Administration Center (EAC). Estimated start date: August 17, 2026.

About the Role

A licensed professional who ensures that diverse student populations have equitable access to academic instruction and 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. Collaborates with all members of the education team to strengthen connections between home, school, and community. Enhances student outcomes and development through reflection, advocacy, and leadership.

Due to the unique nature of many Special Education positions, the following annual stipend is eligible for this role: Physical Therapist - $8,500.

Responsibilities

• Applies knowledge of learning processes, including intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of students
• Complies with applicable state and federal laws, district policies, and location requirements
• Demonstrates high standards for professional conduct, ethical behavior, and leadership
• Demonstrates knowledge of effective services that reduce barriers to learning and integrates evidence-based practices
• Demonstrates leadership in the school, community, and profession
• Develops and implements services related to student needs, learning, and progress toward goals
• Engages students across diverse needs and ability levels by adapting services
• Ensures students are supervised at all times
• Establishes and communicates high expectations and supports critical-thinking, problem-solving, and self-advocacy
• Follows policies and procedures regarding health, safety, welfare, and education of students
• Fosters a safe, accessible, and predictable learning environment with positive relationships
• Instructs, assesses, and differentiates for students’ academic, social, emotional, and health needs
• Integrates appropriate technology to engage students in authentic learning
• Links professional growth to professional goals
• Maintains accurate records and manages materials and supplies
• Models and promotes effective communication and appropriate conduct
• Performs duties as directed by supervisors and administrators, including non-instructional tasks
• Plans and delivers effective services in a learning-focused environment
• Provides services aligned with state/federal laws, local policies, and individual student needs
• Responds to safety and crisis situations as directed
• Supervises volunteers and paraprofessionals where applicable
• Supports and establishes safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments for diverse students
• Understands and responds to diversity within home, school, and community
• Uses technology to support instruction, data interpretation, and student learning
• Uses effective conflict resolution and reflects on professional practice
• Utilizes formal and informal assessments to inform planning and service delivery
• Works collaboratively with families and significant adults for student benefit
• Reports consistently for work as scheduled and attains proficient evaluations on performance standards

Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in software systems
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to greet and interact professionally with the public
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities
• Ability to use technology to improve instruction, learning, and data interpretation
• Ability to work independently and as directed by supervisors
• Commitment to student education as a primary responsibility
• 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, and flexible
• Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of Colorado Academic Standards, curriculum, standards-based instruction, assessment, and differentiation
• Knowledge of effective classroom and positive behavior management
• Knowledge of Special Education, educational programming, and associated legal requirements
• Knowledge of student academic, emotional, physical, and social development
• 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 education
• Willingness to participate in ongoing training as required

Qualifications

• 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 or Special Services Provider License: Professional - Colorado Department of Education

Preferred Qualifications: None specified beyond required qualifications.

Pay

Compensation range: $52,800.00 - $85,242.00 (based on education and experience at 100% FTE).

Schedule

• Scheduled weekly hours: 37.5
• Hours per day: 7.5
• Days per year: 183 (Monday–Friday)

Benefits

Eligible for benefits. For more information, visit Employee Benefits | Academy District 20.

Work Environment

The work environment may alternate among quiet, moderate, and loud noise levels. The incumbent frequently interacts in person and through communication methods with students, the public, and staff. Work is primarily indoors with occasional outdoor duties. Operates standard classroom and office equipment independently and collaboratively.

The incumbent is directly responsible for the health, safety, welfare, and education of students, ensuring supervision at all times.

Physical Demands

• Sits, stands, walks, stoops, kneels, and crouches/squats while performing duties
• Oral and auditory capacity enabling interpersonal interaction and communication
• Uses eyes, hands, and finger coordination for equipment and writing
• Job is very active, requiring standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing
• Regularly talks, hears, and may need to physically restrain students when necessary
• Lifts and carries up to 20 pounds; may require lifting more depending on position and student need
• Climbs stairs, ladders, and/or stools; reaches, holds, grasps, and turns objects
• Uses fingers to operate keyboards and detect object shape, size, and temperature
• Requires ability to speak clearly, use normal or aided vision/hearing, and detect odors

Cognitive Functions

The following cognitive functions are commonly associated with this position:

• Analyze, communicate, compare, compile, compute, coordinate, copy, evaluate, instruct
• Negotiate, synthesize, reason, and use interpersonal skills