Occupational Therapist, Salem Public Schools, SY2024-2025

About Salem Public Schools, where belonging leads to opportunity.

Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students across our 11 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged, globally connected, and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging, equity, and opportunity in everything we do. Over the next three years (2023-2026), we are committed to the work outlined by the four core priorities in our strategic plan: 1) Elevate Learning; 2) Empower Educators; 3) Center Belonging; and 4) Strengthen Our Foundation. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. Applicants who have experience working in urban schools and settings and are bilingual are strongly encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Do:

As a collaborative member of the Special Education team in Salem and in accordance with the policies and procedures of Salem Public Schools, the Occupational Therapist will provide direct service to students both in and out of the general education classroom and sub-separate settings. The Occupational Therapist administers evaluations/assessments, and helps to develop IEPs by writing goals, objectives, and accommodations. This specialist will maintain required documentation for Medicaid reimbursement and legal compliance. The OT also will provide consultation to parents, teachers, and related staff, and will participate in staff development activities. The ability to understand and appropriately apply the latest research in neurophysiology relating to neurodevelopmental and sensorimotor dysfunction to school age populations is imperative.

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct and consultation services using both push in and pull out models
• Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and treatment plans that address fine and visual motor, and sensory integration needs
• Support teachers in developing and implementing supports and providing fine and visual motor accommodations
• Participate in IEP and 504 meetings, as well as attend student support team meetings
• Work in conjunction with multidisciplinary educational teams
• Complete needed paperwork and job related functions in a timely manner and in compliance with special education regulations
• Gather, collate, and/or classify data; generate reports and present findings at meetings
• Utilize a variety of job-related assistive technology
• Routinely attend district and school-wide meetings, trainings and professional development
• Maintain compliance with existing laws and professional ethics
• Other duties as requested by school principal or Executive Director of Special Education

What You’ll Bring:

We are looking for candidates who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission and are highly motivated to change children’s lives through education. You’ll be right at home here if you are a reflective practitioner who values collaboration with colleagues and pushes yourself, your work and the people around you to the next level. We expect our SPS employees to:

• Hold a deep commitment to students and families and value diversity - The SPS community is vibrant, diverse in background, ethnicity, language, and perspective. You embrace and affirm the backgrounds of all members of the SPS community and view our diversity as a powerful resource that supports us each in learning and doing our best work.
• Hold high expectations for yourself, students, and colleagues – You see potential in all, especially our SPS students, and maintain high expectations for achievement, while providing the support necessary to meet that bar. You hold yourself to high expectations, modeling SPS values and seeking opportunities to continuously improve.
• Build authentic, caring relationships with colleagues, students, and families – You build strong relationships across students, families, and colleagues that are collaborative in nature and contribute to the individual and collective success of SPS. You partner with families and colleagues to make decisions in the best interest of students and learning.
• Embrace feedback – You are a reflective practitioner who learns from failure, using mistakes and challenges as opportunities for growth. You model persistence and growth mindset and thrive in a culture of feedback.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Registered Occupational Therapist in Massachusetts and Massachusetts DESE licensure
• Experience with school-based services
• Safety Care Training Certification (District will provide training)
• Possess effective written and oral communication skills
• Second language (Spanish and/or Portuguese) proficiency a plus
• Bilingual candidates and candidates of color strongly encouraged to apply
• Current authorization to work in the United States 

The Occupational Therapist is considered a district-wide staff member and may be assigned to 2 or more schools, depending upon the caseload in a given year.

This position is a school-year position and is considered a part of the teachers’ union. The Occupational Therapist reports to the assigned special education supervisor and the Executive Director of Special Education.

Contact Information:

Jennifer Doucette-Ly, Executive Director of Special Education

Salem Public Schools

29 Highland Avenue

Salem, MA 01970

Phone: 978-740-1249

Fax: 978-740-1137

Work Year: Teachers in Salem Public Schools work a 185 day school year (180 student contact days plus 5 professional development days. Please visit www.salemk12.org to view the 2024-25 district and/or school calendar.

Salary: Teacher salaries in the Salem Public Schools are determined by the Salem Teachers Union collective bargaining agreement. Salary information can be found in Appendix A. Use our new Salem Teacher Salary estimator here. 

Benefits: The City of Salem offers Group Insurance Commission (GIC) benefits to all full-time employees. Click here for more information about our health benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Salem Public School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information, or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.