What are the responsibilities and job description for the Occupational Therapist position at Colonial School District?
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Excellent Occupational Therapists make excellent schools. That's why we are relentless about hiring top educators who can provide high-quality instruction and build authentic relationships with students and stakeholders, including parents/families.
Position: Occupational Therapist
Location: to be determined - assigned to the Student Services Division
Start Date: August 2026
Reports to: Principal/Administrators in Student Services
Compensation: Refer to current teacher salary scale on District website
Work Year: 10 months
Position Goal
The goal of the Occupational Therapist (OT) is to provide high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy services that enable students with disabilities to develop the skills necessary for successful participation in academic, social, and daily school activities. This position aims to support students in achieving greater independence by addressing fine motor, sensory processing, self-regulation, and functional life skills within an inclusive and supportive learning environment. The Occupational Therapist is responsible for evaluating student needs, developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and delivering direct and consultative services aligned with each student's goals. The OT collaborates with educators, families, and related service providers to integrate therapeutic strategies into classroom routines, adapt materials and environments, and promote student access to the general education curriculum aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
Minimum Requirements
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities related to the District. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and/or fingers to handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear, and taste or smell. This job requires repetitive stopping, twisting and bending. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Pre Employment Requirements
When you apply you will have:
Interested candidates who meet the qualifications may apply by completing an employment application at http://applitrack.com/colonial/onlineapp no later than 11:59pm on the closing date. A resume and teaching certification are required for external candidates. A resume is required for internal candidates.
Applicants needing special accommodations in the application process of this vacancy announcement may contact the Human Resources Division at (302)323-2712.
Per the collective bargaining agreement between Colonial Education Association and Colonial School District, employees covered by this agreement may apply for vacancies in accordance with the application procedures stated on the publicized announcement posted between March 1 and July 31.
Interviews will begin five days after posting.
The Colonial School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees, applicants, visitors, or others, and does not deny access to educational or other services, based on any characteristic prohibited by law."
Excellent Occupational Therapists make excellent schools. That's why we are relentless about hiring top educators who can provide high-quality instruction and build authentic relationships with students and stakeholders, including parents/families.
Position: Occupational Therapist
Location: to be determined - assigned to the Student Services Division
Start Date: August 2026
Reports to: Principal/Administrators in Student Services
Compensation: Refer to current teacher salary scale on District website
Work Year: 10 months
Position Goal
The goal of the Occupational Therapist (OT) is to provide high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy services that enable students with disabilities to develop the skills necessary for successful participation in academic, social, and daily school activities. This position aims to support students in achieving greater independence by addressing fine motor, sensory processing, self-regulation, and functional life skills within an inclusive and supportive learning environment. The Occupational Therapist is responsible for evaluating student needs, developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and delivering direct and consultative services aligned with each student's goals. The OT collaborates with educators, families, and related service providers to integrate therapeutic strategies into classroom routines, adapt materials and environments, and promote student access to the general education curriculum aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
Minimum Requirements
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required:
- Must be eligible or hold valid License as a State of Delaware Occupational Therapist
- Hold a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy
- Acceptable Criminal Background Report and no entries on Child Protection Registry in the State of Delaware.
- Successful completion of required Praxis II tests and student teaching placement.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Master's degree preferred..
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff, administration and the general public.
- Show evidence of knowledge regarding evidence and research-based strategies known to be effective in promoting student learning and achievement for students.
- Demonstrates sensitivity to issues impacting various cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
- Proficient in Technology, such as Microsoft and Google Applications, Classlink, Schoology, Infinite Campus, etc.
- Demonstrates understanding and ability to perform job related tasks.
- Regular attendance is an essential function of the position.
- Must be able to teach/serve students remotely and in person depending on the needs of their students.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities related to the District. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Assess students to develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) based on student assessments, needs and progress toward goals in the area of occupational therapy.
- Design and deliver specially designed instruction in occupational therapy aligned with the IEP goals (including BIPs), using district-approved curriculum.
- Differentiate instruction using various teaching strategies and methodologies to address diverse learning styles for each student's individual level of functioning and preferred learning modalities.
- Implement and monitor evidence-based behavioral and social-emotional interventions, and follow district expectations for Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.
- Regularly administer, collect and interpret formal and informal assessment data, including IEP progress monitoring, to drive instructional decisions and report progress to families and the district.
- Develop and deliver weekly lesson plans using appropriate resources, technology and instructional strategies.
- Communicate regularly and proactively with families regarding student progress, IEP implementation and behavioral supports, and participate in IEP meetings, eligibility determinations, and other required meetings and/or conferences.
- Administer appropriate and required informal and formal assessments based on student needs, State Regulations, and district expectations, including IEP Progress monitoring.
- Plan and deliver professional development for staff to build capacity in supporting student success through occupational therapy practices, including strategies that address fine motor development, sensory processing, self-regulation, and functional participation in classroom routines.
- Establish and maintain a cooperative and professional relationship with peers, support staff, teachers, parents, administration, agency staff and school district staff.
- Comply with all Federal, State and Local regulations and policies: accurately complete required paperwork within designated timelines, utilize district resources (i.e Employee Handbook, District website, Collaborative Agreement, Professional Code of Conduct, Administrative procedures, School District Board Policies, etc.) to maintain professionalism and avoid noncompliance, and cooperate with compliance monitoring and dispute resolution activities.
- Attend professional development programs, mandated training, and self-selected workshops/conferences, courses, etc.
- Maintain current certifications (including clock hours via DEEDS), stay current on evidence based instructional strategies and technology and actively engage in required and self- selected professional learning.
- Perform other duties/responsibilities as assigned by the building principal and/or supervisor.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and/or fingers to handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear, and taste or smell. This job requires repetitive stopping, twisting and bending. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Pre Employment Requirements
- Criminal Background Check - must be less than 1 year old
- TB Test Results - must be less than 1 year old
- Copy of Social Security Card - required by the State of Delaware
- I-9 Form with appropriate forms of identification
- Child Protective Registry
- These items must be completed prior to your start date, they should be completed immediately.
When you apply you will have:
- The opportunity to teach with a very knowledgeable, high-achieving and fun school team.
- An innovative and diverse work atmosphere.
- The ability to grow and learn in a considerate, and open-minded culture with supportive school colleagues.
- Access to new and exciting technologies to use in your classroom daily.
- A competitive salary with generous benefit packages.
- The opportunity to make an impact on the lives of students and families daily in Delaware
Interested candidates who meet the qualifications may apply by completing an employment application at http://applitrack.com/colonial/onlineapp no later than 11:59pm on the closing date. A resume and teaching certification are required for external candidates. A resume is required for internal candidates.
Applicants needing special accommodations in the application process of this vacancy announcement may contact the Human Resources Division at (302)323-2712.
Per the collective bargaining agreement between Colonial Education Association and Colonial School District, employees covered by this agreement may apply for vacancies in accordance with the application procedures stated on the publicized announcement posted between March 1 and July 31.
Interviews will begin five days after posting.
The Colonial School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees, applicants, visitors, or others, and does not deny access to educational or other services, based on any characteristic prohibited by law."