Grade Level: 6-12

Start Date: August 2024 (Specific Date TBD)

SEZP is currently seeking a Physical Therapist to provide services to students who are identified with or suspected of having disabilities that interfere with their ability to perform daily life activities.

Essential Responsibilities

• Completion of initial screenings and evaluations
• Documents PT assessment(s), re-assessments, PT intervention, goals and plans in a timely manner.
• Obtains or completes supplemental assessments or clinical documentation, as needed
• Collaboratively develops goals, objectives and individualized intervention plans
• Participates in scheduled IEP and progress review meetings.
• Plans, implements and monitors fine and gross-motor activities that allow students to access and benefit from their program of specialized instruction. The focus of these services includes, but is not limited to: academic functioning, daily living skills, play/leisure skills and work skills.
•  Assesses and makes environmental and other adaptations to allow students to access and benefit from their program of specialized instruction.
• Provides training to special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and others as appropriate, in carrying out day-to-day activities designed to enhance the motor functioning of students.
• Consults and collaborates with school staff and/or parents in developing, implementing, evaluating and maintaining physical therapy interventions. 
• Consults with school staff in making necessary environmental adaptations so that students can access school classrooms, buildings, playgrounds, and other facilities.
• Coordinates the delivery of physical therapy services with classroom teachers, special education staff and other providers to ensure continuity and consistency in providing comprehensive special education services to students. 
•  Assesses the fine and gross motor and the environmental accessibility of students referred for special education evaluations. 
• Helps determine the need for environmental adaptations and physical therapy. 
• Maintains an accurate record of therapy sessions, consultations and other pertinent activities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Fully understands, implements and oversees embedded PT school-based services and PT IEP services/requirements
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal, communication and leadership skills
• Demonstrates ability to develop, implement and evaluate PT services/programming within the school setting
• Demonstrates organizational skills necessary to complete and monitor PT functions in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrates knowledge related to treatment needs of the student population

Minimum Qualifications:

• MA Degree in Physical Therapy from a school accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association
• Licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Physical Therapist (PT)

If you meet some of the qualifications above, we encourage you to apply or to reach out for more information. We know that historically marginalized groups – including people of color, women, people from working class backgrounds, and people who identify as LGBTQ – are less likely to apply unless and until they meet every requirement for a job. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.

We encourage you to reach out to info@sezp.org if you have questions about the role or your qualifications. We are happy to help you feel ready to apply!

Benefits

SEZP offers a competitive salary package commensurate with experience. PTs in SEZP qualify for benefits (sick days, retirement, health insurance, etc.) offered to other staff in the Springfield Public Schools.

Positions will be filled on a rolling basis; applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Please contact info@sezp.org with any questions.

About the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership

While Massachusetts is consistently ranked as one of the top states for education results in the country, we have one of the highest and most persistent opportunity gaps. The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP) - established in 2015 as a collaboration between Springfield Public Schools (SPS), the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the Springfield Education Association (SEA) – seeks to improve the longitudinal life outcomes of the nearly 5,000 students in our seventeen middle and high schools.

As a “zone” of schools within the city of Springfield, SEZP’s approach draws on a deep and embedded partnership with the school district and local teachers’ union, while harnessing the flexibility and innovation found in autonomous school models. As a result, each school within SEZP is accorded significant school-based autonomies - in curriculum, talent, calendar, schedule, and budget – while being held accountable for realizing achievement gains for historically marginalized students. In all of our work, SEZP is in pursuit of equity and anti-racism – acknowledging the systemic oppression our students and families encounter daily and working to disrupt these provision gaps urgently and courageously.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, disability or military service or marital status. The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access or treatment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. Springfield Public Schools is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 not to discrimination on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. The Senior Administrator of Human Resources, Kathleen O’Sullivan, Springfield Public Schools, 1550 Main St. Springfield MA, 011103, 413-787-7100, ext. 55428, has been designated as the employee responsible for coordinating Springfield Public Schools efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 to Springfield Public Schools may be referred to Kathleen O’Sullivan or to U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC 20202-1100, telephone 800-421-3481.