Job Description

Location: Belmont, CA

School Details:

● In Session: Mid-September, Start date mid August

● School Hours: 8:15 AM to 4:15 PM

● Instructional Days: 209 days per year

About Us: We are a new, scholarship-based school dedicated to providing specialized education for neurodivergent children, particularly those with moderate to severe Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our first class will include up to five kindergarten-aged students (5-7 years old) supported by a collaborative, interdisciplinary team including a Head Teacher, Assistant Teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Occupational Therapist (OT), Head of School, and Clinical Care Coordinator. We aim to foster a nurturing, inclusive learning environment with a 1:1 student-to-adult ratio. Although we will not be accredited in our first year, we are committed to establishing a strong foundation for future accreditation and growth.

Position Overview: We are seeking a dedicated Occupational Therapist (OT) to join our team. The OT will assess, plan, and implement therapeutic interventions to enhance the functional independence and participation of our minimally verbal autistic students. The OT will address a wide range of developmental and sensory processing needs to support students' ability to learn, play, socialize, and perform daily living activities.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations.
• Develop individualized treatment plans aligned with students' education plans.
• Monitor student progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.
• Design and implement individualized and group occupational therapy interventions.
• Address sensory processing differences and implement sensory diets.
• Facilitate the development of fine and gross motor skills.
• Support the development of daily living skills.
• Collaborate with SLPs and other team members to integrate communication goals.
• Adapt and modify tasks and environments to promote student success.
• Provide consultation and training to school staff.
• Communicate regularly with parents and caregivers.
• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Master's or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
• Current and valid state licensure as an Occupational Therapist in California.
• NBCOT certification required.
• Minimum of five years of experience working as an Occupational Therapist, with significant experience in a school setting and/or with children with autism spectrum disorder.
• Expertise in working with minimally verbal or non-speaking children with autism.
• Strong understanding of sensory processing challenges and evidence-based sensory integration strategies.
• Familiarity with various assessment tools relevant to the school-aged population with autism.
• Experience with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and strategies.
• Patience, empathy, creativity, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of children with autism.
• Ability to conduct thorough assessments for students with ASD.
• Proficiency in collecting and analyzing data to monitor student progress.
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively in crisis situations.
• Exceptional ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Ability to perform physical activities such as sitting, standing, walking, running, reaching, lifting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, and pulling.

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