Occupational Therapist

Salary : $101,712.00 - $123,635.20 Annually
Location : Simi Valley, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Perm
Job Number: 25-7080-1
Department: Student Support Services
Opening Date: 03/14/2025
Closing Date: 4/11/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

PURPOSE

To establish a list of eligible candidates that will be used to fill current vacancy and current substitute assignments (full-time, permanent and temporary) for the duration of the list, up to one year. The immediate vacancy is a 10-month, full-time (8 hours/day) position in the Student Support Services Department of Simi Valley Unified School District.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Completed applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 11, 2025. Late applications and/or certificates will not be accepted.

TESTING PROCESS:
Structured Interview = 100% weighting on final score
Tentatively scheduled for as early as the week of: as Early as the week of April 14, 2025.Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job posting by the application deadline in order to move forward in the testing process. Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to the Structured Interview. The testing process is subject to change as needs dictate. All communication regarding this process will be delivered via email.

The information included in the Work Experience section of the application will determine whether applicants meet minimum qualifications. Please make sure you include ALL current and previous employment in the Work Experience section of the application and complete ALL fields.

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Summary
Supervises the treatment of assigned students and provides occupational therapy and rehabilitation services that includes assessment, developing treatment goals and plans, and direct intervention to assist students in acquiring functional and independent life skills. Trains, supervises and performs quality assurance of lower levels of care.

Distinguishing Career Features
The Occupational Therapist is a professional health care provider requiring registration and state licensure. The Occupational Therapist works directly with and serves as case manager for physically and psychosocially disabled students and family members. Advancement to this position requires occupational therapy registration and state licensure.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts assessments of students to determine eligibility for occupational therapy. Develops educationally relevant therapeutic plans that includes goals that can be linked as part of a student's educational program.
• Serves as case manager, assigning, training, and supervising therapists and occupation therapy assistants. Conducts quality reviews of treatment and of files.
• Provides occupational therapy services to students by conducting assessments within the educational setting using an ecological model to determine level of need.
• Reviews reports from other health care providers who are requesting occupational therapy services, evaluates student progress on individual therapy plans, and revises goals as needed. Prepares reports of occupational therapy interventions and outcomes.
• Consults with parents and staff on occupational therapy interventions for students on site and through home programs. Attends Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings as necessary to ensure that interventions blend with educational goals.
• Coordinates occupational therapy services with student's other health care providers and medical protocols. Coordinates services with school nurses.
• Instructs paraprofessionals in occupational therapy and instructional support on understanding, interpreting, and implementing intervention procedures.
• Provides in-service training and continuing professional development to teachers and resource personnel. Promotes the need for occupational therapy services to teachers and administrators. Develops up-to-date best practices for therapy services.
• Ensures the documentation of services is professional, efficient, and accountable, and in conformance with the policies of state and other agencies.
• Modifies and may design adaptive equipment that enhances students' ability to access learning and technology.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education and Experience

Requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in occupational therapy or related filed; a Master's degree is desirable. One year of professional level experience providing occupational therapy services to children with special needs.

• Licenses and Certificates

Requires a valid California Occupational Therapist (OT) license. Requires a valid California driver's license.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• Knowledge and Skills

The position requires: Specialized knowledge of the physical, sensory, intellectual, social, and emotional growth patterns of children including the developmental and educational needs of children with specific disabilities. Specialized knowledge of current theories and best practices in the application of occupational therapy techniques, including oral motor facilitation, daily living activities, psychodynamics of being disabled, and normal and abnormal child development. Knowledge of the California State Education Code and Business & Professions Code as it applies to the specific accountability of this position. Working knowledge of personal computer applications to use common office productivity software, internet, and specialized computer-aided programs supporting diagnostic assessment. Advanced math and interpretive skill to conduct and evaluate statistics. Sufficient human relations skills to achieve and maintain trust and cooperation with peers and clients, to deliver formal discussion with classroom-sized groups, to resolve conflict, and to use advanced lines of inquiry to obtain personal information from clients. Professional writing skills sufficient to write reports and correspondence that may be sensitive and have legal implications.

• Abilities

Requires the ability to: Carry out the functions and objectives of the position. Understand differences among children with various disabilities. Assess the development status and educational needs of children and the role of occupational therapy. Learn, interpret, and apply District, State, and Federal requirements and objectives for academic achievement including Individualized Educational Plans. Work effectively with fellow professionals and paraprofessionals in carrying out regular and remedial therapeutic programs. Perform statistical analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. Relate well with students, parents, and all levels of staff. Present self in a professional manner to students, parents, and staff. Maintain confidentiality of private information. Optimize a work schedule that involves multiple locations.

• Physical Abilities

Requires: ability to function effectively in classroom and office environments, engaged in work of a moderately active nature; ambulatory ability to move to various class and meeting room settings, to stoop, bend and kneel, and to reach; hand-arm motion ability and coordination to assist others with physical movements; hand-eye-arm coordination ability to use special diagnostic devices and a personal computer keyboard to access and record information; visual ability to recognize words, numbers, and non-verbal actions of people; auditory ability to project voice and carry out conversations with individuals and small groups in person and over the phone.

• Working Conditions

Work is performed indoors where some safety considerations exist due to physical effort.

Individuals protected by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) may request accommodation if needed. In order for appropriate arrangements to be made for testing, your request must be received at the time your application is submitted. If special arrangements are not requested at the time the application is submitted, it is understood that no special accommodations are required. Documentation on the need for accommodation must accompany your request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Simi Valley Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunity for all applicants for employment. The application, examination, and selection process shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital, pregnancy, or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics
Salary: Five step salary range that provides annual increases of approximately five percent until the fifth step is reached. New hire initial step placement (normally up to Step 3) based on qualifying education and experience as outlined in Merit System Rule 7.20.1. An employee who is promoted to a higher class shall be placed on the step of the new salary range that is at least five percent above the current rate, excluding any differential pay.

Vacation: Earned based on assigned hours. Increased vacation allowance based on years of service with the district. Confidential employees receive an additional 3 days vacation allotment, up to a maximum of 22 days. Management employees receive 22 days of vacation (based on a 12-month assignment).

Sick Leave: Earned at the rate of one day (based on the number of assigned hours) per month, and is accumulative from year to year.

Holidays: Fourteen paid holidays per year (based on 12-month assignment).

Insurance and Credit Union: The District offers a competitive Health and Welfare plan for employees and dependents. The Ventura Schools Federal Credit Union offers a variety of services.

Retirement: Employees are covered by Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Social Security and Medicare. Contributions are made by both the employee and employer. Click to visit website.

Confidential Stipend: Simi Valley Unified School District provides a monthly, confidential stipend of $74.00/month to classified employees hired into the "Confidential" job category.
01

Do you agree to answer the following questions as completely, accurately, and honestly as possible?

• Yes, I agree to answer the following questions as completely, accurately, and honestly as possible.
• No, I do not agree or I do not understand these instructions.

02

This position requires a valid California Occupational Therapist (OT) license. Do you have a valid California Occupational Therapist (OT) license? Please provide, with your application, a proof of a valid California Occupational Therapist (OT) license. **Note: Once you have submitted the application, changes cannot be made, and you will not be able to attach certification or additional documents. If you wish to do so, you can send them to the following e-mail address: shira.yerushalmi@simivalleyusd.org by the closing date and time of the job posting.**)

• Yes, I do have a valid California Occupational Therapist (OT) license
• No, I do not have a valid California Occupational Therapist (OT) license

03

This position requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in occupational therapy or related filed. Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in occupational therapy or related filed? **Note: Once you have submitted the application, changes cannot be made, and you will not be able to attach certification or additional documents. If you wish to do so, you can send them to the following e-mail address: shira.yerushalmi@simivalleyusd.org by the closing date and time.**)

• Yes, I do have Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in occupational therapy or related filed
• No, I do not do have Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in occupational therapy or related filed

04

From which institution did you earn your Bachelor's degree?
05

Is this institution an accredited four-year college or university?

• Yes
• No

06

Is your degree in Occupational Therapy or a related field?

• Yes
• No

07

If your degree is in a related field, please specify the field of study.
08

One year of professional level experience providing occupational therapy services to children with special needs is desired. Do you have one year or more of professional level experience providing occupational therapy services to children with special needs?**Note: Once you have submitted the application, changes cannot be made, and you will not be able to attach certification or additional documents. If you wish to do so, you can send them to the following e-mail address: shira.yerushalmi@simivalleyusd.org by the closing date and time.**)

• Yes, I do have at least one year of professional level experience providing occupational therapy services to children with special needs.
• No, I do not have one year of professional level experience providing occupational therapy services to children with special needs.

Required Question