Occupational Therapist for 2026/2027 School Year

Kuna Joint School District 3•Kuna, ID

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The overall responsibility of the Occupational Therapist is to identify and assess barriers to learning and provide interventions and services that are necessary for the student to access and participate in their education including adapting the environment, modifying the functional tasks, and, if needed, addressing elements of sensory-motor performance. This is a professional position with the principle function to support the Individual Education Program (IEP) for students ages 3-21 who have a disability that interferes with their educational performance and ability to benefit from their education. As a member of a multidisciplinary school team, the Occupational Therapist (OT) will perform assessments and therapeutic interventions that are necessary for the student to benefit from their education, and efficient access and participation in educational activities and daily life routines in natural learning environments to prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. The work is performed collaboratively at various schools under general guidance of the Special Education Director. The principle duties of this position are performed in a general office, therapy space and school environment with some travel required between schools or for other District responsibilities.

Requirements

Must be licensed by the Idaho Board of Occupational Licenses to practice as an Occupational Therapist in Idaho and maintain a current license.
Participate in the IEP/504 process, including collaboratively determining the need for occupational therapy as a related service under IDEA or as a reasonable accommodation under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Gather appropriate information from students, parents, and other team members regarding the child’s functional fine motor performance in school settings
Select, administer, and interpret a variety of screening instruments and standardized measurement tools
Collaborate with students’ IEP/504 teams, examining and evaluating eligible students’ strengths and needs to establish their ability to participate in meaningful school activities and routines with or without assistance
Design and implement occupational therapy interventions that allow students to access educational program
Measure and document student progress resulting from the designed occupational therapy interventions
Function as a consultant to other school personnel, parents, and students to coordinate the delivery of occupational therapy services, which may include: Interpretation of assessments and recommendations; Explanation of the potential impact of developmental, medical, sensory and/or fine motor impairments on educational performance; Instruction of other school-based caregivers regarding vocational tasks, leisure activities, and/or equipment use in the school setting. Setting realistic expectations for student performance in school; and Selecting, modifying, or customizing adaptive equipment and assistive technology.
Form partnerships and working with other team members in the school setting to promote an effective occupational therapy plan of care
Adapt environments to facilitate student access and participation in the educational program
Educate school personnel and families to promote inclusion of students within the educational setting by developing, demonstrating, training, and monitoring the effectiveness of strategies and intervention activities, and subsequently using gathered data to make program modification decisions. This includes the use of assistive technology for access and participation in the general education curriculum
Refer students to other related service personnel and to healthcare providers as appropriate
Serve as a liaison among school and community-based occupational therapy providers
Use technology in assigned duties and to access information, research, and professional development opportunities
Contribute to the development of school, district, and community policies and procedures that promote effective programs and services for students and their families
Communicate effectively in writing and verbally including accurate and complete reports as required by law, district policy and administrative regulations
Perform the essential functions of the job based on ethical, professional and legal standards as well as state and district policies and procedures that govern practice
Clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to engage in verbal conversation and to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person as well as in written communication
Ability to comprehend and interpret the meaning of words and respond effectively
Visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work and assessments, prepare and review documents, and organize documents and materials
Manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform repetitive hand/wrist/arm motions and to operate a computer and office equipment
Use hands for simple grasping, pushing and pulling, and fine hand manipulations.
The work at times requires bending, kneeling, squatting, or crawling on the floor and the ability to lift, carry, push, or pull equipment or objects up to 50 pounds.
Must be able to lift and position students weighing 50 pounds or less in wheelchairs, or on/off other equipment.

Responsibilities

Assist educators in identifying students who require OT to access their academic program and provide services in accordance with a students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Participate as a member of the educational team, and assist in program development to incorporate OT strategies into the classroom to benefit all students.
Consult with regular education and special education staff regarding implementing interventions for an OT identified individual student into the educational setting.