Occupational Therapist, Contract, 1.0FTE

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to support students with motor, sensory and coordinated needs within a school setting. The role involves assessments, planning and multidisciplinary collaboration to improve learning participation.

The position requires a Master's in Occupational Therapy, COTO registration, and at least two years of related experience, including school-based work.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy required.
• Minimum of 2 years related experience in Occupational Therapy.
• School-based experience preferred.
• Registration and good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO).
• Knowledge of specialized equipment and SEA processes.
• Strong analytical, organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication; report writing and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Occupational Therapy assessments of students with complex needs to set goals with the Multidisciplinary team.
• Provide short-term direct intervention with gradual release to school staff.
• Deliver or facilitate programs to enhance student participation in education.
• Collaborate with teachers, parents and staff to develop Individual Education Plans.
• Record keeping, data collection, and reporting; liaise with families on progress.

Skills

Analysis

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Time management

Written communication

Oral communication

Report writing

Team collaboration

Education

Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy

COTO registration / Good Standing

Job description

Position Title: Occupational Therapist
Total FTE Available: 1.0 FTE
Position Type : Full-Time, School Year, Contract
Start Date: To start immediately
End Date: To no later than November 30, 2026
Salary Range: $71,932 - $115,286 (Master's Degree)
Union: APSSP
Number of Vacancies: 1
Location(s): Board-Wide – Multiple Locations
Posting type: Internal and External
Vacancy Status: Replacement
Posting Close Date: Until filled

ABOUT US

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is a dynamic board committed to the delivery of quality educational programs and services. The Board is comprised of over 70,000 students enrolled in 152 schools (126 elementary and 26 secondary schools) throughout the municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville. We have over 10,000 employees in an increasingly diverse community. Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of Ontario’s largest school boards, encompassing both urban and rural areas.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Superintendent of Special Education and Learning Services, the Occupational Therapist reports directly to the General Manager of Clinical Services and Special Education and is a member of the Board-level Multidisciplinary Team. The Occupational Therapist provides assessment, planning, consultation, and intervention to enhance student potential for learning and ability to participate in the educational environment. The Occupational Therapist will support students with diverse learning profiles including physical, motor, sensory, coordination and/or behavioural needs.

Qualifications and Experience for Occupational Therapist

• Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Minimum of 2 years related experience in Occupational Therapy, assessing and supporting students with sensory, motor, coordination, physical, mobility, behavioural and learning needs.
• School-based experience preferred.
• Registration and member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) and in Good Standing License.
  
• Fundamental understanding of specialized equipment for students (i.e. seating options, Hoyer lift vs. ceiling track, sensory processing needs).
• Knowledge of the Ministry of Education SEA process.
• Excellent analysis, problem solving, organizational and time management skills to coordinate and conduct complex assessments and interventions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with attention to detail, for report writing, documentation and presentations.
• Ability to work under tight timelines, as part of a multidisciplinary team and independently.
• Ability to create and facilitate professional learning opportunities for board employees.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct Occupational Therapy assessments of students with complex learning, behaviour and developmental needs to set goals and propose accommodations, together with school staff and members of the Multidisciplinary team.
• Conduct safety assessments of the learning environment for students with complex needs.
• Provide short-term direct intervention for students, with the gradual release of responsibility to the school Team.
• Deliver or facilitate the delivery of programs to enhance student ability to participate in the educational environment.
• Support students' skill acquisition in collaboration with the school Team.
• Attend Team Meetings and Multidisciplinary Case Conferences, as appropriate.
• Co-facilitate goal setting meetings with the school Team and families.
• Plan and formulate intervention programs to address student specific needs, in collaboration with teachers, parents, and other Special Services Personnel.
• Consult with classroom teachers, Support Services Personnel, Administrators, and parents regarding student development and learning needs.
• Collaborate with school staff to inform the preparation of Safety Plans.
• Contribute to the formulation of Individual Education Plans.
• Recommend specialized equipment for the learning environment to enhance student potential for learning.
• Conduct equipment modification for students and monitor safety.
• Record keeping, report writing and data collection, as required.
• Liaise with parents regarding student progress, goals, equipment, support strategies for the home, and pathways to community care.
• Work constructively and cooperatively with professionals from community agencies to assist students and families to access services and supports.
• Adhere to the policies, protocols, and standards of practice of the Board, the Multidisciplinary Team, and the Regulatory College, including informed consent, record keeping, report writing, data collection, caseload statistics, etc.
• Supervise post-secondary Occupational Therapy students in placements, as appropriate.
• Provide Multidisciplinary Team representation on Department or Board project committees.
• Represent Dufferin-Peel in committee work with community agencies, as directed by the Superintendent.
• Provide professional capacity building for board staff on sensory, motor, and coordination development, and accommodations for the learning environment.
• Provide professional development to staff on the safe use of equipment to ensure student safety
• Conduct equipment modification and monitor safety for students.
• Provide consultation to the Special Equipment Amount (SEA) committee at their meetings as necessary.
• Liaise with vendors regarding student equipment needs.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Itinerant.
• Valid Driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Required to transport test kits in and out of schools from the car each day.
• Require private workspace for confidential work, locked filing cabinet, access to photocopier, fax machine and outside phone line.
• Requires the ability to deal with stressful and emergent situations, and to support student safety with de-escalation strategies and crisis intervention.

APPLICANT INFORMATION

Police Record Check:This role will a Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check dated with six (6) months of hire date and to be provided to Human Resources. The successful candidate will be responsible for any cost associated with obtaining. The Police Record Check will be required to be renewed every 5 years.

Disability-related accommodation during the recruitment process is available upon request. Please notify us when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Please note that the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board does not use artificial intelligence or automated decision-making tools in our recruitment processes. All applications are reviewed directly by our Recruitment Team.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is an equal opportunity employer.