Occupational Therapist

Position Type:
Special Services/Occupational Therapist

Date Posted:
5/18/2026

Location:
Special Services
Woodland Public Schools - Occupational Therapist

We appreciate your interest in employment with Woodland Public Schools. All applications are considered and reviewed. The most qualified and competitive applicant(s) who possess directly related experience and expertise, training, and education may be invited to participate in the interview/selection process. As part of the selection process, the District conducts confidential reference checks to include former and present employers, and also requires a criminal background investigation. Unfortunately, due to the number of applications received, not all applicants will receive an interview.

All district employees are encouraged to review their personnel file periodically to ensure that their file includes current and relevant documentation that supports their education, experience, training, etc., as it relates to qualifications described on job postings.

Position Title: Occupational Therapist
Posting #: 3694
Location: Woodland Public Schools, Preschool through 12th Grade
Days/Hrs: 7 hours/day M-F (1.0 FTE), 189 days (180 school days and 9 professional development days)
Start Date: August 25, 2027
Pay Schedule: 2026-2027 Salary Schedule (27-28 TBD)
Benefits: Position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and LTD through the School Employee Benefits Board (SEBB) and retirement through the WA State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).

Job Goal:
The occupational therapist, as a member of the educational team, supports the education of students suspected of and/or diagnosed with disability in their least restrictive environment. The occupational therapist develops, implements, and coordinates an occupational therapy program within the local educational agency (LEA); providing screening, evaluation, and intervention services. Working with students with disabilities and serious health impairments, the occupational therapist is expected to analyze present levels of performance, problem-solve effectively, and demonstrate a high level of professional judgment when recommending and providing services, making environmental modifications, and training staff to manage physical needs at an appropriate level of supervision. Direct supervision may be exercised over support personnel and must be provided to any certificated occupational therapy assistant at least every 30 days. Consultation with educational and community personnel is also an essential component of the occupational therapist's roles/responsibilities. The occupational therapist, though working as a team member serving students, is autonomous in applying principles of occupational therapy and responsible for working within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and other legal mandates. Work is performed under the direction of the special services director.

Qualifications:

• Must possess Washington State Occupational Therapist licensure or eligibility to obtain licensure
• Two years of experience preferred
• Experience working in the field of special education within the public school setting is preferred
• Background in behavioral therapy as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) preferred
• Experience within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) preferred
• Willingness to participate in staff development courses aligned with the school and district initiatives
• Ability to work cooperatively with students and their parents who are culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse
• Knowledge and experience in a variety of diagnoses, ages, and populations, and applying the appropriate modalities
• Ability to relate well to administrators, teachers, parents, and students
• Ability to convey humor and positive energy with team members, students, and parents, as well as the motor team department

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, theory, methods, and evidence-based practice
• Knowledge of effective practice, clinical decision-making, outcomes-based intervention, and their proper application in the educational environment
• Knowledge of areas of practice specific to pediatrics, including child development and specific diagnoses
• Knowledge of administrative management practices
• Ability to plan, implement, administer, and coordinate a physical therapy program, from eligibility determination to exit, within an LEA
• Ability to select and administer appropriate assessment tools and interpret the results of the assessment
• Skill in selecting and providing a wide range of intervention strategies and monitoring their effectiveness
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and provide training and continuing education both formally and informally to parents, school administration, school staff, community agencies, staff, and other medical professionals
• Skill in effective oral and written communication
• Knowledge of current legal mandates, including: Federal and State law, compliance issues, confidentiality requirements, funding procedures, and requirements

Such alternatives to the above requirements and desirable qualifications may be made as the district finds appropriate.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Adhere to professional, ethical, and legal standards of practice.
• Screens and evaluates students as to gross motor skills and functional abilities in order to assist in diagnosis and school placement
• Provides consultation to staff and parents regarding the functional needs of students with motor dysfunctions
• Administers occupational therapy procedures and modalities designed to achieve the goals of the program established for each student
• Manages equipment, supplies, and repairs necessary for the functional operation of occupational therapy
• Works with well-developed organizational and time management skills for managing documents and participation in evaluations, treatments and meetings for multiple school buildings, including maintenance of files
• Writes clear and concise reports and IEPs following State and district requirements
• Provides direct therapy treatment for students
• Works with staff on physical therapist roles, treatment plan, and/or assessment results in a professional manner, with "parent-friendly" terminology
• Applies proper body mechanics to all situations requiring physical management of students
• Supervises and collaborates with a certificated occupational therapist assistant (COTA) on student plans, evaluations, and treatments
• Problem-solves and shows creativity in a variety of situations with limited resources
• Uses multiple frames of reference, models, and theory bases for treatment
• Works in a flexible and cooperative manner
• Treats co-workers, supervisors, students, parents, and others with dignity and respect at all times
• Serves as a positive role model for students, and practices the behaviors that are expected of our students
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance and hours of operation as set by the assigned building/location and the Comprehensive Professional Agreement to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position to achieve program requirements
• Other duties as assigned
• Bilingual preferred

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Physical ability to execute job responsibilities that may include: transferring and/or lifting students or equipment, managing equipment
• May be required to travel between buildings and occasionally attend workshops and conferences within the region or state
• Required to work flexible hours and a schedule that may include some evenings
• Classroom/office environment which includes frequent walking, occasional lifting, bending, stooping, kneeling and keyboarding

Work Environment:
The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Position Opens Externally: 5/18/2026
Position Closes: Open until filled

If you are hired for this position, you will be required to pay for a background check, unless you have completed a background check in the past two years, and it is on file with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).