What are the responsibilities and job description for the Occupational Therapist position at Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative?
Itinerant Occupational Therapist
Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative (ARESC)
Member School Districts & Early Childhood Special Services
Location: Pine Bluff, Arkansas / Assigned ARESC Member Districts
Position Type: Full-Time / Contract Professional Position
Make a Difference Across Our Schools and in Early Childhood!
Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative (ARESC) is seeking a dedicated and collaborative Occupational Therapist to join our team as an Itinerant Occupational Therapist. This position provides occupational therapy services to students in ARESC member schools as well as young children served through ARESC Early Childhood Special Services.
This is an exciting opportunity for an OT who enjoys working with children across a variety of ages and educational settings and who values collaboration with teachers, special education teams, related service providers, and families.
Position Responsibilities
The Itinerant Occupational Therapist will:
- Provide occupational therapy evaluations and services to students based on individual educational needs and IEP requirements.
- Provide services to preschool children, ages 3–5, through ARESC Early Childhood Special Services.
- Conduct comprehensive and educationally relevant occupational therapy evaluations.
- Participate in multidisciplinary evaluations, eligibility determinations, IEP meetings, and other student support meetings.
- Develop and monitor functional, measurable occupational therapy goals aligned with students' educational needs.
- Provide direct and consultative occupational therapy services as identified in students' IEPs.
- Support students' participation in classroom routines, learning activities, self-care, fine motor tasks, sensory activities, and other school-related occupations.
- Collaborate with special education teachers, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, administrators, and families.
- Consult with educational staff regarding strategies, adaptations, positioning, sensory supports, assistive technology, and environmental modifications.
- Provide services in natural and educational environments whenever appropriate.
- Collect and analyze progress data and provide information for IEP progress reports.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation, service logs, evaluation reports, and other required records.
- Travel between assigned ARESC member schools and early childhood settings.
- Support teachers and families in implementing strategies that promote student independence and participation throughout the school day.
What We Are Looking For
Required:
- Master's degree or applicable professional degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
- Current Arkansas Occupational Therapy license or eligibility for Arkansas licensure.
- Ability to obtain required employment/background clearances.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for travel between assigned service locations.
- Strong communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
Preferred:
- Experience working with children in school-based settings.
- Experience working with preschool-aged children.
- Experience with special education and the IEP process.
- Experience working with children with autism, developmental delays, sensory needs, or other disabilities.
- Experience providing itinerant, consultative, or classroom-based occupational therapy services.
- Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and families.
Why Join ARESC?
As an Itinerant Occupational Therapist with ARESC, you will have the opportunity to:
- Make a meaningful difference in children's ability to participate, learn, and succeed.
- Serve students across a variety of school and early childhood environments.
- Work alongside experienced special education and related-service professionals.
- Support children during the critical early years of development.
- Collaborate directly with teachers and families to make therapy functional and meaningful.
- Use your professional expertise in both school-age and early childhood settings.
- Be part of a team committed to "Changing the World One Child at a Time."
About Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative
Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative provides specialized support and services to schools, educators, children, and families throughout its service area. Our team works collaboratively with member districts to provide high-quality educational and related services that support students' individual needs and access to meaningful learning opportunities.
Our Early Childhood Special Services program provides specialized services to preschool children with disabilities ages 3–5, working closely with families, educators, and related service providers to support children's development and participation in early learning environments.
Join Our Team!
If you are an Occupational Therapist who wants to use your expertise to help children become more independent, participate more fully in their educational environments, and reach their potential, we invite you to apply to join the ARESC team.
Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative
Early Childhood Special Services
912 West 6th Avenue
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Phone: 870-534-6129
Pay: $65,166.02 - $78,479.50 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Travel reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $65,166 - $78,480