Job Description

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School-Based Occupational Therapist (OT)

Enhance Independence | Adapt Environments | Empower Student Learning

Are you a compassionate Occupational Therapist driven by the belief that every student deserves equal access to learning, self-care, and play? We are seeking a dedicated School-Based Occupational Therapist to join our special education team. In this role, you will evaluate fine motor, gross motor, and sensory processing needs, deliver direct and consultative OT services, and design environmental adaptations that empower students to navigate their school day with confidence.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Functional Student Impact: Translate therapeutic interventions into real-world classroom success, helping students gain independence, self-regulation, and foundational motor skills.
• Holistic Practice: Address the whole child by combining fine and gross motor remediation, visual-motor integration, and sensory processing strategies tailored to educational environments.
• Collaborative Ecosystem: Partner closely with teachers, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, paraprofessionals, and families in a supportive, multidisciplinary network.

What You'll Do

1. Comprehensive Assessment & Targeted Remediation

• Assess fine motor, gross motor, visual-motor integration, and sensory processing skills to identify functional skill discrepancies affecting educational performance.
• Deliver direct, goal-driven therapeutic interventions and instructional activities targeted directly at resolving identified skill deficits.
• Provide functional routines and activities that align with physical growth, motor development, and sensory processing needs to optimize student learning.

2. Classroom Adaptations & Environmental Design

• Design and implement environmental modifications, adaptive tools, seating adjustments, and sensory accommodations to enhance classroom access and participation.
• Develop specialized strategies that help students build independence in daily school activities and fine motor tasks.

3. IEP Leadership & Family Partnership

• Attend evaluation meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and IEP meetings to assist in developing measurable, student-centered IEP goals and objectives.
• Collect data and monitor progress to document therapeutic outcomes, sharing clear updates on student strengths and growth areas with parents and guardians.

4. Consultation & Capacity Building

• Consult with and train special education teachers, general educators, and paraprofessionals on executing recommended classroom accommodations and therapeutic routines.
• Stay current with leading medical and educational research in occupational therapy, sharing evidence-based practices with multidisciplinary teams.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned to support department and district objectives.

What You Bring

• Education: Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution.
• Licensure: Active license as an Occupational Therapist registered with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
• Expertise & Knowledge:
  • In-depth knowledge of pediatric physical development, neurological/physical disabilities, and sensory processing frameworks.
  • Familiarity with current school-based OT research, assessment tools, and special education due process requirements.
• Professional Skills:
  • Strong human relations and interpersonal skills to build rapport with students, families, and staff.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities to articulate clinical recommendations clearly to multidisciplinary teams.
  • Demonstrated instructional and coaching skills.

Work Environment & Logistics

• Itinerant Capacity: Must possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation to travel independently between school sites throughout the district.
• Physical Expectations: Dynamic, hands-on role requiring active movement, bending, kneeling, setting up therapeutic equipment, and occasionally lifting or assisting students with physical positioning needs.
  
  Application Procedure:
  Apply online
  
  Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.
  
  Equity is one of ISD728's core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first to ensure college and career readiness. A diverse workforce fuels innovation and allows us to better understand, communicate with, and educate our students. ISD728 will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability, or status with regard to public assistance.