OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

The Essex Westford School District is looking for a full-time licensed school Occupational Therapist for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.

The school occupational therapist, as a member of the educational team, provides related services to children determined in need for purposes of accessing their educational program. The school occupational therapist develops, implements and coordinates a occupational therapy program within the local educational agency (LEA); providing screening, evaluation and intervention services. Working with students with disabilities where occupational therapy may be or is already needed, the occupational therapist is expected to analyze risk, problem solve effectively and demonstrate a high level of professional judgment when recommending and providing services, making environmental modifications and training staff to manage occupational therapy needs at an appropriate level of supervision.

Direct supervision may be exercised over support personnel and will be provided by the Executive Director of Student Support Services. Consultation with educational 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 expected to implement the principles of occupational therapy and responsible for working within the Vermont licensing standards for Occupational Therapists, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other EWSD policies and legal mandates. The occupational therapist is autonomous in maintaining those requirements.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:
- Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in occupational Therapy or other appropriate discipline plus four years of relevant experience (preferably in pediatric practice or in a school setting), or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.
- Must hold a valid occupational Therapy license in the State of Vermont.
- Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, theory, methods and evidence based practice.
- Knowledge of child development and it's impact on clinical practice regarding occupational therapy.
- Clear understanding of related service decisions regarding occupational therapy and educational access.
- 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 occupational therapy program, from eligibility determination to exit, within an LEA.
- Ability to select and administer appropriate assessment tools and interpret results of 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.
- Knowledge of current legal mandates, including: Federal and State law, compliance issues, confidentiality requirements, funding procedures and requirements.
- occupational ability to execute job responsibilities that may include: transferring and/or lifting students or equipment, managing equipment.

Click here for a copy of the job description.

EWSD is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Successful candidates must be committed to working effectively with diverse community populations and expected to strengthen such capacity if hired. If you are committed to the success of all students but do not meet all qualifications listed above, you are still encouraged to apply.

Our district vision is: "Growing hearts and minds, for a better today and tomorrow: every day, every way, every one."

For consideration, please apply electronically through www.schoolspring.com.

Position Type: Full-time
Positions Available: 1
Welcome to Essex Westford School District!
In 2017 three vibrant communities unified to provide enhanced and expanded educational options for all students, with the idea that we are better together. In the Essex Westford School District, we are designing opportunities that meet the unique needs of all our learners. As one of the largest school districts in the state of Vermont, approximately 4,500 students from preschool through 12th grade walk through our doors each day, eager to take advantage of the resources provided by our supportive communities. Every student is supported by highly qualified and caring educational leaders, educators, and staff who strive to make our schools a place where everyone belongs, feels safe, and is respected. Learning happens here ... students are challenged by a rigorous, well-balanced, proficiency-based curriculum and supported by our dedicated teachers and staff, who believe in and are passionate about what they do. Our staff are more than just employees, they are our neighbors as well. Nearly 50% of our staff live in one of the three communities that they support.
Job Requirements The District conducts thorough screenings of all applicants being recommended for hire, which may include contacting references not listed on your schoolspring application. Selected individuals shall also be subject to a criminal records background checks, and child and adult abuse registry checks. Any offer of employment shall be contingent upon acceptable results of these checks at the sole discretion of the Superintendent or his/her designee. Click Here for additional background check information.

No experience required

Bachelor degree preferred

Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required

Application Instructions Please answer the following questions relative to your candidacy for this position:
Application Questions This employer has requested that all applicants answer the following questions. It is highly recommended that you type any essays in a word processing program, save them, and then paste them on the proceeding job application page. 1. Do you hold a valid VT Educator license in the applicable endorsement area of the posted position?
Multiple Choice / Single Answer
- Yes (please indicate the endorsement code(s), license level(s), and expiration date(s))
- No (please explain your current licensing status)
2. If you do NOT currently hold a valid VT Educator license in the required endorsement, have you ever worked under a provisional license in the State of Vermont?
Yes/No
3. If you do NOT currently hold a valid VT Educator license in the required endorsement area, have you successfully completed the required Praxis I exam and Praxis II exam (if applicable) for licensure?
Yes/No
4. Are you under contract or do you have a letter of intent from another school district or supervisory union that would conflict with this posted position?
Multiple Choice / Single Answer
- Yes
- No
Contact Information Erin Maguire, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
51 Park Street
Essex Junction, Vermont 05452
Phone: (802)857-2018
Email: emaguire@ewsd.org