Occupational Therapist

Job Description: Occupational Therapist (OT)

Location: District-Wide (Beach Park District 3)

Reports To: Director of Special Education

Union Status: Beach Park Education Association (BPEA)

Introduction

Beach Park District 3 is seeking a clinical expert and compassionate collaborator to serve as our Occupational Therapist. In this role, you will work within a multidisciplinary team to ensure that students with physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges can fully participate in their educational environment. You won't just be providing therapy; you'll be empowering students to navigate their world with confidence.

Core Activities & Student Support

Your primary goal is to help students succeed in "the occupation of being a student." Key activities include:

• Fine Motor & Handwriting: Designing activities to improve grip, pencil control, and keyboarding skills for students struggling with written expression.
• Sensory Processing: Implementing "sensory diets" and classroom "calm-down corners" to help students regulate their nervous systems and remain focused on learning.
• Activities of Daily Living (ADL): Teaching functional independence, such as managing zippers/buttons, feeding, and organizing personal belongings (locker/desk management).
• Visual-Motor Integration: Leading exercises that help students coordinate what they see with what they do (e.g., copying from a whiteboard or catching a ball).
• Environmental Modifications: Partnering with teachers to adapt the physical classroom layout or providing specialized seating (wobble stools, weighted lap pads) to support student needs.
• Assistive Technology: Evaluating and training students on low-tech and high-tech tools that bypass physical barriers to learning.

Professional Responsibilities

• Evaluations: Conduct formal assessments to determine eligibility for OT services and identify specific student needs.
• IEP Development: Draft measurable, educationally-relevant goals and attend Individualized Education Program (IEP) and 504 meetings.
• Collaboration: Consult with classroom teachers to "push-in" services, ensuring therapy strategies are used throughout the school day, not just in isolation.

• Supervision: Provide clinical supervision for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) as required by the Illinois OT Practice Act.

Education & Requirements

To comply with ISBE and IDFPR regulations for the 2026-2027 school year, candidates must have:

1. Education: Master's or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an AOTA-accredited program.
2. State Licensure: A current, valid license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
3. ISBE Certification: A Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Support Personnel endorsement for Occupational Therapy.
4. Testing: Must have passed the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) #238 (Occupational Therapist) content area test.

5. Experience: Prior experience in a pediatric or school-based setting is highly preferred.

Salary & Benefits

This position is compensated according to the Beach Park Education Association (BPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement.

• Salary: Placement on the "Step and Lane" schedule. Because OTs require a Master's degree, the starting salary for the 2026-2027 year begins at the MA Lane (Step 1), approximately $53,544 - PHD+24 $122,2016 with 16 years
• Work Year: 180-day contractual calendar.
• Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance; participation in the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System (TRS); and a dedicated budget for professional development and therapy supplies