2026-27 SPED Occupational Therapist .8 - Special Education

Paradise Valley Unified School District; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

Paradise Valley Unified School District is seeking an Occupational Therapist in a continuing interim capacity for the Special Education program in Phoenix. The role focuses on assessing students, planning and delivering therapy to improve sensorimotor skills, and supporting accessibility and program development.

Qualified candidates will hold a Master's Degree and OT licensure, with experience in school-based therapy, IEP development, and collaboration with families and educators.

Qualifications

• Experience using OT assessment instruments and strategies.
• Ability to collaborate with parents, teachers, and specialists.
• Strong documentation and record-keeping skills.

Responsibilities

• Assess students' fine motor, sensory motor and functional abilities to determine service eligibility and provide recommendations.
• Collaborate with parents, teachers and teams to communicate information and plan services in compliance with guidelines.
• Develop IEP goals and interventions to address sensorimotor deficits within school settings.
• Provide direct occupational therapy services to develop sensorimotor skills per goals and objectives.

Skills

Assessment instruments

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Master's Degree

Job description

Occupational Therapist

Location: Special Education

FTE: .8

Interim Position

Dates: 9/14/2026 - 5/27/2027

Purpose Statement

The job of the Occupational Therapist is done for the purpose/s of assessing student’s functional sensory motor development level; planning and implementing appropriate treatment to meet individual student objectives; identifying architectural barriers; providing recommendations for accessibility and program development.

Essential Functions

• Assesses’ students fine motor, sensory motor and functional abilities (ie. Perceptual-motor, visual motor, fine motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) for the purpose of determining service eligibility and developing recommendations for treatment, appropriate assistive devices and classroom modifications.
• Collaborates with a variety of groups and/or individuals (ie. parents, teachers, special education team members, administration, maintenance personnel, other professionals, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, resolving issues and providing services in compliance with established guidelines as indicated by Federal law, State guidelines and PVUSD policies.
• Have time management and organizational skills that allow the therapist to create a schedule for providing services to students on their caseload at multiple campuses, complete required documentation and attend appropriate meetings for students on their caseload.
• Consults with teachers, parents, special education team members , other personnel and/or outside professional for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans for services, making recommendations and/or coordinating occupational therapy services with those of other disciplines.
• Develops IEP goals, interventions and/or educational materials for the purpose of addressing students’ sensorimotor deficits and ensuring compliance with guidelines.
• Identifies structural issues for the purpose of removing barriers or modifying access for students with physical limitations and/or identifying appropriate assistive technology.
• Instructs students and staff for the purpose of providing information on developmental, sensory, medical and/or behavioral attributes, use of assistive devices and/or implementing plans for addressing functional limitations.
• Interprets outside medical and outside therapy reports for the purpose of providing information as it relates to school based therapy.
• Maintains files and/or records (ie. progress reports, attendance logs, evaluations, IEP’s, billing information, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of information as required for reference and/or compliance as related to IEP’s, MET’s, and DSC.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, courses (ie. trainings, IEP’s, MET’s, team meetings, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information.
• Performs site visits during Community Based Instruction for the purpose of consulting regarding interventions and assistance as required.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (correspondence, emails, developing goals, Medicaid billings, clinical notes, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference and/or conveying information.
• Provides direct occupational therapy services for the purpose of developing students sensorimotor skills in compliance with established goals and objectives.
• Researches resources and methods (ie. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing students’ functional goals.
• Responds to inquiries (ie. parents, staff, students) for the purpose of providing information and clarification regarding the referral process as related to TAT and SST.
• Makes appropriate arrangements for movement/transportation of equipment that is on the property control list.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge And Abilities

SKILLS are required for using assessment instruments, operating equipment used within occupational therapy strategies, operating standard office equipment including using computer and pertinent computer software; preparing and maintaining accurate records, collaborating with team members.

KNOWLEDGE is required of age appropriate and functionally appropriate activities, good writing skills, health standards and hazards, safety practices and procedures, stages of child development; abnormal development and medical diagnoses related to special education; current OT treatment interventions and resources, pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws.

ABILITY is required for adapting to changing work priorities, communicating with diverse groups, maintaining confidentiality, meeting deadlines and schedules; working as part of a team; working with detailed information/data; maintaining effective working relationships with all team members (student, parents, school team), and infusing therapy information into meaningful, functional school-based activities.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized routines; providing information and/or advising others; utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job’s functions. There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands; some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling. And significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 60% sitting, 20% walking and 20% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Experience:

Job related experience is desired.

Education:

Master's Degree in Area

Equivalency

Required Testing: Certificates and Licenses:

• Occupational Therapy License
• OTR/L (Occupational Therapist, Registered, Licensed)

Continuing Educ./ Training: Clearances:

• CPR Certified Valid IVP Fingerprint Card

FLSA Status - Exempt

Paradise Valley Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the School's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), or Title II of the Genetic Information NonDiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.