Full-Time or Part-Time Substitute Occupational Therapist (July 2023 - March 2024)
REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education and Student Support Services
Position Summary
Education for Change is looking for a flexible and innovative Occupational Therapist to provide student evaluation, staff consultation, staff training and other appropriate intervention services as needed. The Occupational Therapist is also expected to assist students as they participate in academics and to support them through the development of functional life skills, within the context of their school day. This may include fine motor, sensory processing, self-help, and vocational skills. Service may also include providing adaptive equipment or assistive technology to increase student independent functioning in the school environment.
Our Approach
EFC is committed to serving ALL students, regardless of need. Our approach addresses the diverse needs of our students by offering a myriad of program designs to meet individual need. We offer inclusion, resource instruction, combined programs that include both inclusive and small group instruction, and specialized programs for students with autism, those in need of emotional support, and students with more moderate needs. Utilizing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports, our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to analyze and problem solves around student and staff needs. We employ a whole child approach that not only meets the basic needs of our students, but also takes into consideration their socio-emotional, academic and behavioral needs.
Responsibilities:
- Participate in preventative methods of support for students without an IEP (ie. SST and COST)
- Respond to requests for consultation and evaluation referrals for students with suspected disabilities or re-evaluation of students with identified disabilities
- Perform re-evaluations, focusing on areas of educational needs at intervals determined by the IEP, section 504 plans, and/or State special education regulations
- Develop a present level of function and an IEP with goals that are educationally relevant and will be used in students’ educational and home programs
- Implement service delivery to assigned students based on the goals, objectives, frequency/ duration, and placement as determined by the IEP team
- Collaborate with educational staff to identify areas where support is needed, including adaptation strategies
- Establish and maintain a system of documentation that is professional, efficient, and accountable and conforms to state and school policy
- Order, construct, and adapt equipment to meet the therapeutic needs of the students
- Attend SpEd team meetings, IEP meetings, and other school meetings when requested
- Lead OT related intervention trainings for site staff.
- Perform other professional duties as assigned by the Special Education Director or Site Administrator.
- Attend mandatory new hire professional development
Required Qualifications:
- Must be licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the State of California
- Ability to administer appropriate assessments, interpret history and assessment data, and design and implement appropriate intervention strategies
- Exhibit knowledge of clinical theory and its application as it relates to student educational needs
- Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality and use sound judgment in all aspects of the job
- Must possess a growth mindset and be able to use feedback to refine practice
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience working with students in urban communities
- Bilingual-Spanish
- Minimum 1-year experience operating SEIS or a similar student information system
- Experience working with English Language Learners
- Experience working with students with Autism and behavioral/social/emotional challenges
EFC Core Values
- Connected- We continually work to build trusting relationships among students, families, staff, and the Oakland community at large. We are an all-hands-on-deck network driven by empathy. We value our collective identity and the individual identities of our community members and scholars such that we have a sense of collective ownership and responsibility for each other and for our scholars.
- Inclusive- We proactively disrupt predictable patterns of opportunity, power, privilege, and performance. We create an inclusive environment where multiple perspectives are not only valued but sought, where people from all backgrounds feel seen and heard and can thrive, and where we all feel a deep sense of accountability to our mission.
- Interdependent- Our success at every level is dependent on our individual and collective sustainability. To that end, we are transparent, creative, and collaborative problem-solvers who seek to build trusting relationships. We are curious and are open to new ideas while also putting systems in place to ensure continuity so that our employees can stay, grow, thrive, and help make good on our promise to our students and families.
- Learners- We support each other to develop and grow so that we can leverage our collective power, intelligence, and passion on behalf of our students. We lean on home-grown leaders who are rooted in our community. Individuals feel known and are provided opportunities to maximize their potential in alignment with their passions and goals.