Occupational Therapist - Special Education - 2026-27 School Year

Occupational Therapist

Special Education

2026-27 School Year

Teach • Lead • Inspire

Be an educator in Albemarle County Public Schools

Are you looking to work in a school division where students are engaged in authentic, challenging, and relevant learning experiences, becoming lifelong contributors and leaders in our dynamic and diverse society? Then look no further! 

In Albemarle County Public Schools, we work together as a team to end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children’s success through high-quality teaching and learning for all. We seek to build relationships with families and communities to ensure that every student succeeds. We will know every student! 

We are the first public school division in Virginia, and among the first in the country, to develop and implement an Anti-Racism policy with the expressed purpose of building school communities that share the responsibility to recognize and end racism, eliminate inequitable practices that result in achievement gaps, and support the unique gifts, talents, and interests of every child. In ACPS, “all” really means all.

Who We’re Looking For

Teachers and Specialists are essential to achieving our goals of Thriving Students, Affirming and Empowering Communities, and Equitable, Transformative Resources.

Our ideal candidates are: 

• Innovative, self-reflective, collaborative, knowledgeable in their content area and instructional practices, and are continually growing and improving
• Passionate about closing equity and achievement gaps
• Prepared to engage with our Culturally Responsive Teaching model in support of our Equity Mission Statement

Why Work in Our Schools

Here are just a few reasons why both new and experienced educators choose to join our team:

• Strong instructional support and mentoring from our building administrators, instructional coaches, learning technology integrators, diversity resource teachers, and equity specialists
• A wide range of professional development opportunities, including our New Teacher Academy and many other learning experiences held throughout the year for new and experienced teachers
• Competitive pay and benefits, including health & dental coverage, retirement, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, wellness program, discounts on gym memberships, and more
• The opportunity to work in a close-knit, supportive community where you can continue to grow as a professional

Be sure to check out our website to learn more about our Division and our Schools. You can read the full job description here. 

Location

Situated around beautiful Charlottesville, Virginia – which is consistently ranked among America’s top university towns and best places to live – Albemarle County is nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park. Just 100 miles south of Washington, DC and 70 miles west of Richmond, it’s only a short trip to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic beaches, and New York is an easy Amtrak ride away. Whether it’s the great outdoors, a vibrant  and diverse arts, food, and culture scene, or small town living with a big city feel, our part of Central Virginia has something for everyone.

The Application Process

Are you ready to join the ACPS Team and engage our learners in becoming lifelong contributors and leaders in our dynamic and diverse society? If so, then follow these steps to apply:

STEP 1: Click Apply for this Position at the top right of this page. This will add your application to the candidate pool for this position.   

STEP 2: You will receive an email invitation to complete a short online assessment to help us learn more about your strengths as an educator. Instructions will be included in the email. If you've already taken this assessment within the past three years, you do not need to complete it again. 

STEP 3: Continue to check our Jobs page frequently as new positions are added throughout the spring and summer. You need to apply for each specific position that you are interested in. Jobs are listed chronologically by posting date, but you can search by categories or by keywords like “teacher” or “counselor”, and you can also sign up for weekly email alerts. 

STEP 4: Our school principals and assistant principals will review your application and will contact you directly if they would like to schedule an interview. Time frames vary depending on the position and time of year. 

Questions? Email HR@k12albemarle.org 

QUALIFICATIONS:  

Graduated from an accredited occupational therapy program with a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate (entry-level or post-professional) in occupational therapy. Master's or higher is preferred. Familiarity with evidence-based practices in the school setting and educational versus medical model. Completion of a pediatric fieldwork II experience, doctoral experience/capstone, or pediatric work experience as an occupational therapist is preferred. Basic computer competence. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Is eligible for or has sat and passed the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. Licensed or eligible to work in the state of Virginia and working on licensure. Must be eligible to participate in school-based Medicaid claiming by having a valid NPI number or willing to secure an NPI number upon employment. 

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:  

Licensed Occupational Therapists in educational systems are considered to be related services personnel. The occupational therapist is responsible for assessment, planning, and goal development; and provides appropriate intervention services designed to enhance student potential for learning. Assists students in acquiring those performance skills needed to participate in and benefit from the educational environment, and to function to their highest level of independence. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

• Carries out assessment and evaluation procedures;
• Plans and develops therapeutic intervention goals that are educationally relevant and will be used in the students' educational programs;
• Establishes a system of documentation that is professional, efficient, and accountable and that conforms to state and school division policy;
• Maintains and is accountable for inventory of equipment and supplies;
• Communicates results of evaluations and reports of occupational therapy services to the educational staff, parents, students, and, when appropriate, other professionals and agencies concerned with the students;
• Attends staffing and other school meetings when appropriate;
• Facilitates in-service education and professional development for related service/occupational therapy staff;
• Monitors the occupational therapy program goals by teaching and supervising other professionals and paraprofessionals who are involved with the implementation of the intervention procedures;
• Provides consultation to the educational system regarding student needs, professional needs, and system needs in order for the system to achieve its goals and objectives;
• Provides reassessments of students focusing on areas of need at intervals determined to be educationally relevant;
• Communicates the needs of the occupational therapy program to the appropriate supervising school administrator;
• Performs other duties as required. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  

Knowledge of the federal, state, and local legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures that mandate and guide occupational therapy practice in schools. Ability to deliver effective, evidence-based occupational therapy interventions and to consult with school personnel in developing and implementing effective occupational therapy interventions for students. Effective communication skills- both orally and in writing. Excellent organizational skills including time management and documentation. Basic computer literacy - word processing, data entry, Outlook, Google Drive, etc. Ability to determine the need for a school-based occupational therapy evaluation and to select and administer appropriate assessment tools to evaluate the student. Ability to interpret the evaluation data and write a comprehensive report that reflects strengths and barriers to the student’s academic participation and occupational performance in the school setting. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with teachers, parents, administrators, advocates, students, and others.  

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Specialist Scale

Salary : $70,252 - $106,183