Job Description:

LOCATION: Schenectady City School District

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (SCHOOL DISTRICT)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This position exists in a school district and involves responsibility for evaluating, planning and providing occupational therapy treatment to students in accordance with written prescription or referral from a physician who provides medical direction.  Administrative direction is received from the school principal and/or director of individualized pupil services relative to scheduling and recordkeeping.  General supervision may be exercised over a variety of technically trained personnel.  The incumbent does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Performs occupational therapy procedures upon the written prescription or referral from a physician, utilizing a creative activity which may be manual, industrial, recreational or educational designed and/or adapted to correct or remedy any disability;
• Evaluates the degree of function and disability of students unless contraindicated by professional judgment or a physician's order;
• Records on students' records evaluations, reevaluations, progress notes, consultations and treatment summaries;
• Participates with other school personnel in the formulation of students' individual education plans.
• Develops or assists in the development of district occupational therapy policies and procedures;
• Develops a written prescription to be incorporated into the individualized educational plan for each student to receive therapy services;
• Develops and applies adaptive assistance devices and/or self-help techniques to aide students achieve maximum independence;
• Participates in Comprehensive Support Service Team staffings;
• Participates in parent and teacher conferences relative to occupational therapy procedures;
• Establishes and maintains communications with physicians and community agencies working with the students.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of the principles, techniques and practices of occupational therapy; good knowledge of the operation and minor maintenance of apparatus and equipment used in occupational therapy; working knowledge of community resources available to support or supplement the occupational therapy program; ability to evaluate, plan and execute treatments for students; ability to get along well with others.

Long Term Substitute Social Worker Role  01/05/2026 - 06/30/2026

This position reports to the Pupil Services Division in a midsize urban school district located in the Capital region of Upstate New York. The social worker will work with teachers, parents, and school leaders to develop plans and strategies to improve students’ academic performance and social emotional development. Students and their families will be referred to the social worker to deal with problems such as aggressive behavior, bullying, or frequent absences from school. This position requires a high degree of self-awareness, knowledge on the educational impacts of trauma and creativity when it comes to addressing the needs of students.

Social Worker Expectations

• Successful intervention work with high poverty populations;
• Successful intervention work with students with mental health needs;
• Ability to articulate their understanding of and support for high academic expectations; through their work with students and families;
• Able to articulate the barriers and strategies for overcoming those barriers of working with students and families in an urban setting;
• Knowledge of and linkage to community agencies and resources available to families and children;
• Advocates for children and families;
• Skill in collection and analyzing data needed to plan for student centered interventions ability to articulate this to other staff;
• Must be able to implement classroom behavior modification strategies;
• Be the lead in developing and implementing FBA’s and BIP's;
• Work with students to build their resiliency and strengthen their assets to enable them to improve their pro-social skills within the school and community;
• Knowledge of Cognitive Behavioral Supports, Culturally Responsive Education Anti-Racist policies and Trauma sensitive practices; 
• Support classroom staff with classroom management practices; 
• Strengthen the bond between students and school through home visits, resulting in improved attendance.

Social Worker Key Qualities

• Able to be empathetic by caring, understanding, and cultivating an empowering environment for all students;
• Demonstrates patience with serious issues, students and families;
• Able to be dependable in ways that develop trust with students;
• Able to implement an organizational system to support both case management and student needs simultaneously;
• Being able to observe with skill and listen closely;
• Being able to make impartial informed decisions on behalf of students and families;
• Ability to be persistent and resilient when dealing with setbacks;
• Willing to be flexible and multitask as needed on demand;
• Ability to use a culturally responsive approach to develop relationships and execute interventions with fidelity; 
• Willingness to learn, in order to be relatable, flexible, personable and adaptable;
• Engages in continuous self-care.