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The mission of the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) is to deliver high-quality instructional resources, enhance classroom practice and scale effective programs to increase DCPS student achievement and prepare all students for success in college, career, and life. OTL spans four core competency areas:
  1. Curriculum;
  2. Professional learning;
  3. Enrichments and interventions; and
  4. Formative assessment.

Team members support school-based staff in implementing DCPS's existing academic programs while simultaneously working to rethink and redesign school programming, academic and curricular resources and educator professional development.
The Division of Specialized Instruction (DSI) works to provide a high quality continuum of services in an inclusive environment so every student with disabilities is prepared for success in college, career, and life. The division works with schools to design, implement, and monitor programs and supports for students with disabilities.

The Occupational Therapist leads the process in development, implementation, and coordination of the school’s occupational therapy program. Screening, evaluation, educational program and transition planning, therapeutic intervention, and exit planning is provided for students identified with or suspected of having disabilities that interfere with their ability to perform daily life activities or participate in necessary or desired occupations. Professional judgment and clinical knowledge are used to develop individualized programming based on occupational performance deficits in the areas of personal care, student role, interaction skills, process skills, play, community integration/work, and graphic communication.

The Occupational Therapist will regularly collaborate with other disciplines and services, as well independently review outcomes and modify intervention programs. Clinical reasoning and professional judgment are essential to ensuring the safety of students and protecting liability of the school and the therapist.

This position is a safety-sensitive position. As a result, throughout employment this position will be subject to the Employee Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy.
The Occupational Therapist (10 Month) will report to the Program Manager, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
  • Serves as the school-based occupational therapist for assessment and implementation of individualized education programs for students with special needs in assigned schools.
  • Develops individualized goals and objectives to facilitate eligible student’s active participation/acquisition of functional performance skills in self-maintenance, academic and vocational pursuits, and leisure/play activities that occur in school environments.
  • Prepares both written and oral reports, and presentations for determining student’s eligibility for special education services.
  • Utilizes direct and indirect services, assistive technology and/or environmental modifications to implement special educational programming to provide for the development of sensory-motor, perceptual or neuromuscular functioning and emotional, motivational, cognitive, or psychosocial performance.
  • Maintains confidential files which include assessments, reviews, test results, IEPs, documentation of consultations, and Encounter Tracker Forms.
  • Consults with DCPS regular and special education staff, parents, and community resources.
  • Participates in planning team meetings for students and discusses student’s response to OT treatment; makes recommendations to enhance student’s function in other areas; and may make or recommend referrals to other disciplines as appropriate.
  • Reviews and interprets independently generated therapy and medical reports; and serves as a resource in reporting findings to other health care and related service providers.
  • Attends administrative due process hearings (and other court proceedings), eligibility conferences, and other meetings.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in occupational therapy.
  • Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
  • Licensed by the DC Department of Health (DOH) - Board of Occupational Therapy, or license eligible.
  • New graduates welcomed.

Personal Qualities of Top Candidates
  • Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education.
  • Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations.
  • Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of central office performance and school leadership, instruction, and operations, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
  • Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.
  • Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.
  • Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others.
  • Dependability: Does whatever it takes to consistently deliver with high quality under tight deadlines; successfully manages own projects through strong organization, detailed workplans, and balancing of multiple priorities.
  • Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to customer needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.