Centralia-Occupational Therapist 2024-25

Job Summary:

This position provides, according to all special education law and regulation, diagnostic evaluation, and therapy to students ages 3-21. This position additionally functions as a member of special education and related building teams to maximize students’ functional levels for performance in the school setting. 

Required Qualifications:

• Possession of valid Washington State Education Staff Associate Certificate as an Occupational Therapist
• Possession of a Washington State OT license
• Knowledge of the identification process of special education students
• Current training and experience in assessment, IEP development, and program implementation
• Ability to provide purposeful, goal directed, developmentally sequenced activities to enhance the student’s potential for facilitating improvement of a student’s physical, emotional, sensory and/or perceptual deficits the use of specially designed instruction and/or related service delivery models
• Ability to communicate effectively, possess awareness (for self and others), listen actively, be patient, incorporate humor/lightheartedness into work, be empathic, possess a growth mindset, and be customer-service oriented
• Ability to support the District’s vision, mission, goals, and Culture Code including the belief that all students can succeed
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude
• Familiarity with racial equity and inclusion frameworks
• Successful experience working with self-direction and a high degree of collaboration 
• Ability to act in an ethical and confidential manner in all aspects of employment 
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations
• Possession of organizational skills and flexibility to respond to changing student needs
• Ability to function in a calm, efficient, courteous manner under stress and to exercise careful judgment, confidentiality, and tact in the performance of duties
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with students

Preferred (Not Required) Qualifications:

• At least two years of successful OT service provision in the school setting
• Ability to speak Spanish
• Additional training in pediatrics, neurodevelopmental therapy and/or sensory integration
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Maintains current knowledge of research and new techniques in the field

Essential Functions:

• Motivates students, redirects student behavior, and interacts with students in a productive manner
• Utilizes state and district assessments and standards in the planning and delivery of instruction
• Participates in curriculum development and implementation of special education services
• Works to ensure that the appropriate menu of services is identified and implemented for identified K-12 students
• Uses collaborative and evidenced‐based approaches to assist in the creation of IEPs to ensure that students receive skills targeted to their areas of identified need 
• Develops staff capacity and family participation in data‐based decision making 
• Conducts testing, interprets results, and participates with the multi-disciplinary teams in the identification of special education students
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g. other teachers, families, administrators, etc.) around aspects of special education services
• Provides consultation to parents and school staff regarding augmentative devices and assists students in the use of augmentative devices
• Presents information on various topics related to professional expertise in occupational therapy for the purpose of communicating information and gaining feedback on treatment issues
• Stays current on policies and laws related to special education
• Develops and maintains collaborative and transparent relationships with other district staff, families, and community partners
• Completes all documentation as required by law or prescribed by the Executive Director of Special Services, including but not limited to IEP’s, assessment documents, and progress reporting
• Maintains timely and accurate student records, data, and reports 
• Attends staff and other professional meetings as appropriate or directed
• Works a flexible schedule and travels between buildings
• Works with students in self-contained settings
• Completes case studies and works under time constraints
• Uses and integrate technology for communication and instruction
• Promotes collaboration between school administration, staff and parents for the purpose of maintaining effective, consistent and regular communication between all stakeholders
• Other duties as assigned 

Salary:  $63,581.60 - $126,045.10, depending on experience and qualifications

Work schedule: 0.2 to 1.0 FTE (186 days per school year) depending on need

Benefits: 12 Sick leave and 3 personal leave days; health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance through SEBB; State retirement through DRS; other fringe benefits as allowed under the Centralia Education Association Collective Bargaining Agreement.