School Based Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

The Occupational Therapist will work under the direct supervision of the Associate Director of Achievement. The Occupational Therapist is responsible for providing high-quality, school-based occupational therapy services to support students' access to instruction, participation in the school environment, and progress toward individualized goals. This role provides both direct and indirect services to students and collaborates closely with families, school teams, and network support staff to ensure students, particularly students with disabilities, receive appropriate and compliant support.

Essential Functions

Student Services and Support

• Provide high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy services to students across Rocketship school sites.
• Deliver direct and indirect occupational therapy support aligned to students' Individualized Education Programs, 504 Plans, and identified educational needs.
• Support students with sensory, motor, adaptive, self-regulation, and functional participation needs within the school environment.
• Assist with the implementation of occupational therapy recommendations, accommodations, modifications, and supports.
• Monitor student progress and adjust services and recommendations based on student needs, data, and team input.

Evaluations, IEPs, and 504 Plans

• Lead specialized evaluations related to sensory-motor development, functional school participation, and occupational therapy needs.
• Prepare clear, thorough, and compliant assessment reports in accordance with applicable timelines and requirements.
• Develop educationally relevant IEP goals, objectives, service recommendations, and intervention plans.
• Attend and participate in IEP meetings to present evaluation findings, present levels of performance, student progress, and recommended services and supports.
• Attend and participate in 504 meetings, as appropriate, to share evaluation findings, student needs, and recommended accommodations or supports.
• Collaborate with IEP and 504 teams to help finalize student plans that are appropriate, compliant, and driven by student needs.

Collaboration and Consultation

• Partner with teachers, school leaders, families, and related service providers to support inclusive practices and student success.
• Provide consultation and guidance to administrators, teachers, and parents regarding general education and special education supports.
• Support school teams through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports process, when appropriate.
• Work with families to build understanding of student needs, disability-related supports, and strategies that promote student success.
• Assist in providing in-service training and professional learning to parents, teachers, administrators, professionals, and paraprofessionals.
• Coordinate, communicate, and consult with community agencies or outside providers, as appropriate.
• Serve as a collaborative member of the ISE Network Support Team and provide guidance to the organization as needed.

Compliance and Documentation

• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation, including service logs, evaluation records, progress updates, and required student records.
• Meet all required timelines related to evaluations, IEPs, 504 Plans, service delivery, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain a compliant occupational therapy practice in alignment with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and professional standards.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, families, school personnel, and network staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested by the appropriate administrator.

Salary Details

• Salary band for this role ranges from $70,000 to $77,500 annually. Final salary will be determined based on relevant experience and in accordance with the applicable salary schedule for related service providers.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited college or university.
• Valid license to provide occupational therapy services in Wisconsin, or ability to obtain required Wisconsin licensure prior to the start of employment.
• Strong understanding of occupational therapy practices in an educational setting.
• Ability to provide services to students across multiple school sites.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organization skills and ability to maintain records, meet deadlines, and manage compliance-related responsibilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, teachers, school leaders, service providers, and network staff.
• Commitment to Rocketship Public Schools' mission and belief in the potential of every student.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and evolving school environment.
• Ability to remain flexible, adaptive, and solutions-oriented.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and willingness to provide own transportation in the conduct of work assignments, as travel between school sites is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with elementary-age students.
• Experience providing occupational therapy services in a school-based setting.
• Experience working with students with a range of disabilities, including learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disabilities, autism, developmental delays, and sensory-motor needs.
• Experience participating in IEP and 504 meetings.
• Experience supporting inclusive practices and collaborating with multidisciplinary school teams.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.