The Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter School (EMSA, www.elginmathandscience.org) opened in August of 2018 to all students residing in the U-46 attendance area.

EMSA is seeking a compelling, committed, and resourceful Occupational Therapist that will help to establish positive relationships with students and families. EMSA’s Occupational Therapist will provide problem-solving services to children and their families. The Occupational Therapist will also serve as a member of the diagnostic team, educational planning team, and the placement team for MDC’s and IEP’s.

The successful candidate in this role will use EL Education’s Core Practices as the foundation of our message to ensure remarkable academic achievement, character development, and community involvement for all students. At EMSA, students and teachers will reach their highest potential through active exploratory learning and social responsibility in which:

• Individuals of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome
• Children’s natural curiosity is nurtured
• Students become leaders of their own learning
• Teachers and students hold high standards
• Critical thinking is central to math and science
• Students develop skills to be responsible individuals

An EMSA Charter Crew Member will:

• Operate with the understanding: Diversity is a fact, Inclusion is a behavior, Equity is the outcome
• Work collaboratively with all members of the learning community to build relational trust and foster a growth mindset for all through modeling by taking professional risks, owning mistakes, and being metacognitive about their own growth and revision
• Model EMSA’s habits of scholarship in word and action and effectively build a positive school culture that promotes self-discipline
• Challenge, engage, inspire and empower all students with the Wow & Wonder of EL Education
• Engage in professional learning and implement a progressive, bold educational approach to fostering EL Education’s Core Practices to inspire student success
• Practice reflective and synthesizing professional practices to allow for a deeper understanding to manifest for implementation with the highest levels of fidelity
• Establish clear and consistent assessment and progress monitoring techniques based on evidence to make decisions to meet student’s needs and further their growth
• Cultivate strong partnerships with families; all words and actions demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, belief in all students’ capacity to succeed and a desire to create an amicably beneficial situation for everyone
• Actively engage families and the community with expeditionary outcomes and critique of authentic student work

An ideal candidate is someone who:

• Is able to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical journals, or governmental regulations
• Is able to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures
• Is able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups and individuals
• Is able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Is able to interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with abstract and concrete variables
• Is able to apply knowledge of current research and theory in instructional program
• Is able to plan and implement lessons based on needs and abilities of students to whom assigned
• Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community
• Is able to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing
• Is able to perform all duties with the awareness of all school and state requirements
• Is an extrovert with strong interpersonal skills, and delights in meeting and helping new people
• Has strong communication and critical-thinking skills; is able to plan to avoid challenges, and adjust when challenges occur
• Has a history of exceptional professionalism and a demonstrated ability to meet tight deadlines
• Wants to work in a feedback-rich culture, and is committed to ongoing improvement
• Has personal or professional connections in the U-46 attendance area
• Is committed to meeting the needs of every child in a diverse population and has demonstrated success working with low income and minority students
• Has proven ability to work as a member of a team
• Is a self-starter interested in working in a fast-paced, startup environment that requires flexible roles

As an EMSA Occupational Therapist you will:

• Assessments: Completes screening or "Request for Therapy Assistance" as asked by the educational team. Selects, administers and interprets assessments to determine functional skill level of students. Generates a written report for initial, reevaluation and annual progress reports in a timely manner and presents reports at IEP meetings. Establishes students' goals and benchmarks and updates benchmarks according to Special Education guidelines
• Service Delivery: Implements educationally relevant services for assigned caseload. Actively participates in team meetings, IEP meetings and student community appointments as indicated. Ensures equipment is properly fitted to students and in good working order. Completes safety checks per departmental guidelines. Organizes, shares and utilizes work area cooperatively.
• Program Administration and Management: Prepares and efficiently manages a weekly schedule. Updates student caseload on department database monthly. Maintains complete working student files per departmental guidelines. Maintains a record keeping system for student attendance and progress. Evaluates the need for and requests equipment and materials necessary for safe service delivery. Updates inventory of equipment and supplies used in programming on department data base. Completes My Service Tracker and Time Study as required.
• Consultation: Provides in-service training and information for teachers, staff members and parents, according to program needs. Provides written consultation reports and classroom programs for individual students, as needed. Promotes a positive atmosphere for constructive interchange and problem resolution.
• Professional Responsibilities and Development: Represents Therapy Services in a professional and knowledgeable manner. Completes annual Therapist professional development plan and reviews with Department Supervisor. Attends and is proactively involved in departmental staff meetings. Participates in at least 2 departmental and/or district committees. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships. Pursues ongoing professional development.
• Appropriate Illinois certification for Occupational Therapy
• Possess the ability to work with a variety of students.
• Communicates effectively both verbally and written.
• Demonstrates flexibility with job responsibilities.
• Able to function with minimal supervision

QUALIFICATIONS

• Completed an accredited college program and maintains an Illinois State professional license in Occupational Therapy.
• Previous Pediatric School based or clinic based occupational therapy position or field work experience is preferred.
• Physical Demands
• Required prolonged sitting or standing.
• Occasionally requires physical exertion to manually move, lift, carry, pull or push heavy objects or materials.
• Occasional stooping, bending, and reaching.
• Fluent in Spanish and English preferred
• Expertise in working with English Language Learners
• Expertise in working with low-income populations

Hiring Timeline and Application Process

We seek to hire a Occupational Therapist for an August, 2024 start.

Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Diversity

EMSA seeks individuals of all backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to

maximizing the diversity of our organization and want to engage all those who can contribute

to this effort. EMSA provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees

and prohibits discrimination with respect to the hiring or promotion of individuals, conditions of

employment, disciplinary and discharge practices, or any other aspect of employment on the basis

of gender, race, color, ethnicity, disability, or any other factor which cannot lawful be used as a

basis for an employment decision.