ETS, Occupational Therapist, Darby Vassall Upper School

Cambridge Public Schools; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Cambridge is seeking an Extended Term Substitute Occupational Therapist to join their team from January 2026 through June 2026. The ideal candidate will provide therapy for students, ensure equitable access, and participate in developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to support diverse learning needs. Applicants should have an accredited degree in Occupational Therapy and experience with special needs students.

Qualifications

• Accredited degree in Occupational Therapy required.
• Experience working with special needs students is preferred.
• Must be a registered Occupational Therapist.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate students using various assessments.
• Provide evidence-based therapeutic intervention in school.
• Participate in developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and train staff to implement strategies.
• Collect data to monitor progress and adjust services as needed.
• Maintain accurate student files and safeguard confidentiality.

Skills

Experience teaching and/or working in an urban school system with special needs students

Knowledge of sensory motor integration techniques

Experience in urban schools

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited Occupational Therapy program

Registered Occupational Therapist

Massachusetts License or ability to obtain Massachusetts licensure in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Overview

Position: Extended Term Substitute (ETS), Occupational Therapist

Available January 2026 through June 2026

Office of Student Services/Darby Vassall Upper School

Vassal Lane Upper School Community:

Vassal Lane Upper School is a vibrant 6-8 middle school, part of the Cambridge Public Schools. We are committed to collaboration and creating environments that enable all students to learn at high levels. We are mindful of societal inequities and work to challenge injustice. We strive to promote inquiry, reflection, critical thinking, creative expression, resilience, civic engagement, and lifelong learning.

The Office of Student Services (OSS) is responsible for providing a variety of supports and services to students in Cambridge Public Schools (CPS). Our programs are dedicated to ensuring equitable access and success for students with disabilities and students who have advanced learning needs.

The Opportunity:

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for providing therapy designed to address students’ occupational performance strengths and needs through evaluation, educational program planning, and service delivery.

Key responsibilities:

• Evaluate students through a variety of functional, behavioral, and standardized assessments, skilled observation, checklists, histories, and interviews.
• Synthesize evaluation results into a comprehensive written report that reflects strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings with other disciplines, offer recommendations, and develop individual education plans and intervention plans to achieve IEP goals.
• Provide targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the school environment.
• Collect data for decision making and progress monitoring.
• Schedule direct services using a variety of service delivery models, including classroom interventions, consultations, collaborations, and pull-out sessions, as appropriate, to meet student needs in the least restrictive environment.
• Maintain easily accessible and accurate student files.
• Safeguard the confidentiality of student records.
• Complete logging of services for third-party reimbursement accurately and in a timely manner.
• Monitor and reassess the effects of specific occupational therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify, or discontinue services.
• Adapt and modify environments, equipment, and materials.
• Train instructional staff to meet the individual needs of students and help them function as independently as possible.
• Manage inventory of therapeutic equipment.
• Attend reconvened Team meetings and parent-teacher conferences.
• Chair team meetings and participate collaboratively with multidisciplinary educational teams to develop Individualized Education programs (IEPs), write measurable goals and objectives, and complete all required documentation in a timely manner.
• Develop appropriate IEPs and/or 504 Plans based on students’ strengths and needs, and demonstrate awareness of professional performance in due process matters and litigious environments.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct educational trainings for staff, parents, and students.
• Participate in professional meetings and workshops directly related to Occupational Therapy.
• Any related duties as outlined by the Assistant Superintendent, Special Education Director, and/or Coordinator of the Office of Student Services.

Your Skill Set

As the incoming Occupational Therapist, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
• Registered Occupational Therapist.
• Massachusetts License or the ability to obtain Massachusetts licensure in Occupational Therapy.
• Experience teaching and/or working in an urban school system with special needs students.
• Knowledge of sensory motor integration techniques.

How to Join Our Team

Apply online at cpsd.us. Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.