(26-27 SY) Occupational Therapist (Diagnostic Center) - Colorado Springs School District 11

Teacher: Occupational Therapist

Educators at Colorado Springs School District 11 are professional practitioners who ensure that every student has access to rigorous, engaging, and equitable learning opportunities. They embody the district's values of innovation, inclusion, collaboration, and excellence, and are key contributors to creating a thriving school culture that supports academic and social-emotional success.

Core expectations include maintaining inclusive and supportive learning environments, using data to inform practice, collaborating with colleagues and families, advocating for student needs, and engaging in continuous professional learning. SSPs uphold professional ethics, confidentiality, and standards of practice established by their state and national professional organizations.

Essential Job Functions

• Deliver direct, evidence-based services to support the academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and physical development of students.
• Design and implement individualized interventions aligned with student needs and professional standards.
• Partner with teachers, administrators, and families to identify student needs and develop effective support strategies.
• Provide guidance and professional consultation on best practices for student success and well-being.
• Contribute to the evaluation and development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 Plans, or other student support plans.
• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated, comprehensive support for students.
• Assist in the development and implementation of school-based support systems, including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and supports to improve student outcomes.
• Provide crisis intervention and support as needed to ensure student safety and well-being.
• Advocate for equitable access to educational opportunities and resources for all students.
• Uphold confidentiality, cultural responsiveness, and ethical practices in all aspects of work.
• Comply with federal, state, and district regulations and professional licensure requirements.
• Participate in ongoing professional development to maintain licensure and enhance expertise.
• Contribute to school and district initiatives focused on student support, equity, and wellness.

Knowledge of:

• Evidence-based practices and interventions in the SSP's professional discipline (e.g., psychology, counseling, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, or related fields).
• Federal and state regulations related to special education, Section 504, and other student support requirements.
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks.
• Assessment tools, evaluation methods, and intervention strategies appropriate for K12 students.
• Principles of consultation, collaboration, and team-based problem solving in educational settings.
• Ethical, legal, and professional standards, including confidentiality and cultural responsiveness.

Skills in:

• Providing direct services and interventions to support students' academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and physical development.
• Consulting and collaborating effectively with educators, administrators, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Developing and implementing IEPs, 504 Plans, and other individualized support plans.
• Analyzing student data to inform instructional and intervention decisions.
• Responding effectively to crises and advocating for equitable access to educational opportunities.
• Communicating clearly and professionally with diverse stakeholders.
• Managing caseloads, documentation, and compliance requirements accurately and efficiently.

Ability to:

• Foster positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students.
• Adapt interventions and services to meet diverse student needs and cultural contexts.
• Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams to coordinate comprehensive student support.
• Maintain professional integrity, ethical standards, and confidentiality at all times.
• Reflect on professional practice and pursue continuous growth and development.
• Contribute to school and district initiatives that promote student success, wellness, and equity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field
• Master's degree or higher in an approved area of specialization (if required for CDE License).
• Valid Colorado Special Services Provider License
• Minimum of three (3) years of successful experience in the assigned discipline or related professional practice (may include internship or clinical experience).
• Preferred qualifications include additional endorsements or certifications, prior K12 public school experience, and/or bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish or other district-identified languages).

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work is performed in schools, district offices, and community settings and may require travel between District sites. The position requires frequent interaction with students, staff, and families. Physical requirements vary by discipline and assignment and may include periods of standing or walking; lifting and carrying up to twenty (20) pounds; bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching; use of hands and fingers to operate standard office and instructional equipment; and the ability to communicate effectively, including speaking, hearing, and seeing with or without reasonable accommodation. Duties may also include lifting or positioning students, assisting with adaptive equipment, performing health-related procedures, or providing physical intervention or restraint when required by the position and consistent with District training and policy.

All essential job duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Join Colorado Springs School District 11 as a Special Services Provider (SSP) and help create learning environments where every student feels supported, capable, and inspired to succeed. Your expertise in health, wellness, and specialized instruction ensures that every learner is seen, valued, and equipped to thrive.

Employees in this category will also receive the following for the 2025-2026 school year:

1. Non-Recurring Pay: 8% of base salary in Non-Recurring Pay (distributed as 4% on November paycheck and 4% on May paycheck).
2. 10 Additional Days (District Embedded Coaches Only): 10 additional days are built into the base pay for District Embedded Coaches.

Employment, assignment and salary placement, is in accordance with job description requirements. A work history is required to demonstrate job title, job duties and time worked in the position. Reference the linked How Your Compensation Is Determined for more details.

Base Salary Setting: Employment, assignment and salary placement, is in accordance with job description requirements. A work history is required to demonstrate job title, job duties and time worked in the position. Reference the linked How Your Compensation Is Determined for more details.

Base Salary Setting (New Hires): Any newly-employed Teacher/Special Service Provider (SSP) will be placed on the appropriate lane for their educational background (BA, MA, etc). according to the official transcripts that are provided. They will be placed at the appropriate step for experience listed on the resume. Teachers will receive credit for a maximum of 14 years for any applicable teaching experience (provided that the experience occurred in the last 15 years).

Base Salary Setting (Rehires): Returning employees who have previously resigned or separated from the District will be rehired at the same step they were on at the time of resignation/separation plus any new experience gained in the same job, provided step increases were approved by the Board during the years in question.

See Employee Handbook (located on the D11 website) for information on salary setting for rehires (after retirement), promotions and lateral transfers.

Equal Employment Opportunity

School District 11 is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in relation to disability, need for special education services (whether actual or perceived), race, creed, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religion, ancestry, age, genetic information, or protected activity in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Any harassment/discrimination of students and/or staff, based on the aforementioned protected areas, will not be tolerated and must be brought to the immediate attention of the school principal, D11 administrator/supervisor or D11 nondiscrimination compliance/grievance coordinator.

The following Board policies address nondiscrimination in District 11: AC, AC-R, GBA, GBAA, JBB, JBB-R