Position Summary

Under direction of the Special Education Program Principal and Coordinator of Infant/Preschool and with the guidance of the Assistant Superintendent of Student Programs, the Occupational Therapist provides direct services, intervention, treatment and activities to enhance motor, sensory, self-regulatory, feeding and other functional abilities among identified students; conduct assessments and provide recommendations for occupational therapy intervention; develop, implement, evaluate and modify occupational therapy treatment plans and interventions in response to student needs and disabilities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Occupational Therapist (OT) provides high-quality direct services to students and collaborates with various staff in the provision of services. The OT serves as a mentor and clinical resource for other occupational therapists and certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs). This role includes guiding best practices, supporting professional development, and taking the lead in complex or challenging cases to ensure effective, student-centered service delivery. The ideal candidate is flexible, collaborative, and demonstrates strong leadership skills. They are responsible for offering thoughtful, evidence-based recommendations to administration regarding service coordination, caseload distribution, and the advancement of occupational therapy practices across the team.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Develop and implement daily treatment plans and interventions for individual students according to student need; collaborate with staff to develop and monitor student therapy plan; utilize physical, manipulation, positioning, environmental modification and other therapeutic techniques and strategies; manage OT caseloads to assigned districts and programs; monitor, evaluate and adjust individual treatment plans and therapy activities.
• Design and develop materials and specialized programs for individual student use in the classroom and community to meet student needs IEP goals; monitor and consult with paraprofessionals or COTA’s who use and carry out specialized programs.
• Provide consultation and training to, staff and parents regarding occupational therapy and related treatment, interventions, assessments, , best practices and procedures; provide training in areas of safe lifting techniques and sensory processing.
• Use, adjust and demonstrate various therapeutic tools and equipment during sessions; and collaborate with equipment providers as necessary.
• Prepare detailed and concise notes concerning daily therapy activities and student responses and progress; prepare and maintain various records and detailed written reports concerning students’ progress, assessments, and interventions.
• Prepare and maintain accurate billing and tracking of services.
• Maintain professional competency by participating in, professional development and workshops as directed.
• Operate a variety of office equipment; utilize adaptive therapeutic equipment and tools; drive a vehicle to conduct work and attend meetings.
• Maintains awareness of and ensures compliance with relevant State and Federal laws and regulations, Humboldt County Office of Education Board Policies, Superintendent Policies and Administrative Regulations.
• Evaluate referred students’ skills and abilities in developmental functions, orthopedic status, quality of movement and postural control, gross, fine and oral motor functioning and independence in activities of daily living.
• Attend IEP meetings and assist in the development of student’s IEPs goals and services and interpret evaluation findings to parents and the IEP and instructional teams.
• Identify, design and evaluate adaptive equipment to assist students in self-care and academic activities.
• Provides training, demonstration of exercises and activities for classroom teachers and staff.
• Assists in the development of transition plans for students moving to other environments.
• Cooperatively engages in the professional evaluation process with supervisors to ensure ongoing professional growth and competence.
• Effectively communicates with staff, parents and agencies.
• Attends regular and special staff meetings and actively participates as a member of the educational team.
• Responds effectively to the input from, and coordinates tasks, with district/school personnel as required by assignment.

The employer reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodation so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Education and Experience

Minimum Required:

• Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program
• Completion of supervised fieldwork
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License
• Valid certification by the American Occupational Therapy Association
• Licensure in the state of California by the California Board of Occupational Therapy
• Pass the OTR examination, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

Preferred:

• Experience working in a school setting serving students with disabilities.

Working Conditions

Physical Demands

• Stand, sit and/or move about for sustained periods.
• Move about non-traditional instructional environments, i.e., areas of the community.
• Report to multiple worksites on each day or during the work week.
• Push/pull, squat, turn, twist, bend, stoop, lift and carry up to 45 pounds.
• Communicate effectively in person and via telephone and other electronic media to individuals and groups of varying sizes.
• Exercise physical control over students who are acting out and/or offer physical assistance to students who might be themselves physically impaired.
• Conduct instructional programs within pre-designated break periods and time schedules.
• Maintain an appropriate personal demeanor during periods of heightened stress created by outside factors not always within the ability of the teacher to control at the time.
• Physical capacity to lift (with assistance), move and/or position persons up to age 22 who may weigh 150 pounds of more

Other Requirements

• Fingerprinting and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be completed and received by HCOE before employment.
• TB testing and/or risk assessment is required upon employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable).
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within the first 6 to 12 months of employment.

Range 1A on the Classified Management Specialist salary schedule – 8/25/2025