Occupational Therapist

State of South Dakota; Redfield (SD); On-site; USD 77,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave 15 days

Sick leave 14 days

Holidays 11

Health insurance with $0 premium

Retirement plan 6% match

Tuition reduction in-state

Wellness program

Continued education

Job summary

The South Dakota Developmental Center is seeking an Occupational Therapist to enhance independence and community participation for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You will focus on daily living activities, motor and sensory processing, and emotional regulation within person-centered care.

Responsibilities include implementing OT interventions, collaborating with a treatment team, and documenting progress to support individualized plans and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Must hold SD licensure as an Occupational Therapist and be eligible for NBCOT registration.
• Experience applying OT methods to rehabilitation and daily living skills.
• Ability to adapt interventions within ICF framework and community settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy interventions to improve independence and daily living skills.
• Address motor, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and social engagement goals.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to develop individualized treatment plans.
• Document progress and adjust plans to meet client goals and safety.

Skills

Therapeutic communication

Documentation

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Patient engagement

Education

Licensed Occupational Therapist (SD)

Tools

OT equipment knowledge

Job description

Job ID: 37574 Agency: Department of Human Services/SD Developmental Center Location: Redfield, SD Salary: $77,402.16- $85,983.84 Annually, depending on qualifications Pay Grade: MA Closing Date: 9/30/26 This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the SD Developmental Center.

For more information on the SD Developmental Center, please visit https://dhs.sd.gov/en/south-dakota-developmental-center.

The South Dakota Developmental Center is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and community inclusion for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities through person-centered services. At SDDC we are comprised of a variety of positions that require differing skill and educational levels to ensure successful operations. SDDC is one of the Divisions of the Department of Human Services, which works together on the common goal of bettering the lives of South Dakotans.

Benefits

• 15 days/120 Hours of Vacation Leave
• 14 days/112 Hours of Sick Leave
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Employee health insurance includes plan with a $0 premium for employee-only coverage
• Flexible Benefits – Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Critical Illness and more
• Paid Parental & Family Medical Leave
• 6% Fully Matched Retirement Plan
• Reduced Tuition for In-State Colleges/Universities
• Employee Wellness Program
• Continued Education/Training Opportunities

Job Summary

Occupational Therapy (OT) will strive to improve their independence, social engagement, and overall quality of life by focusing on daily living skills, motor and sensory processing, and emotional regulation. This therapy uses customized interventions within the ICF setting and the community to help clients perform daily activities safely, build confidence, and participate more fully in life. OT help with both basic activities of daily living, self‑feeding concerns, adaptive equipment, food consistencies. Therapy will focuses on improving fine and gross motor coordination, motor planning, and sensory processing, which is crucial for tasks like handwriting, feeding, and navigating the environment. Therapist will work to increase social engagement and community participation through activities that help clients build social skills and maintain relationships. Occupational Therapy will help individuals manage challenging behaviors, improve emotional regulation, and build self‑esteem. Assisting adults in developing the skills needed to achieve their employment goals and engage in fulfilling leisure activities. Occupational Therapist will assist with sensory challenges by using structured therapies, environmental adjustments, and skill-building activities to improve how clients process and respond to sensory input. The goal is to make everyday life such as school, work, play, and social interactions more manageable and enjoyable. Occupational therapists help with behaviors by identifying the root causes, such as sensory processing challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, or environmental stressors. They then teach practical strategies to improve daily functioning and self‑control. The Occupational Therapist helps with basic activities of daily living, including self‑feeding concerns, adaptive equipment, and appropriate food consistencies. The Occupational Therapist focuses on improving fine and gross motor coordination, motor planning, and sensory processing, which are essential for tasks such as handwriting, feeding, and navigating the environment. The Occupational Therapist works to increase social engagement and community participation through activities that help clients build social skills and maintain relationships. The Occupational Therapist also supports individuals in managing challenging behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and building self‑esteem. The Occupational Therapist assists adults in developing the skills needed to achieve their employment goals and participate in meaningful leisure activities. The Occupational Therapist also addresses sensory challenges by using structured therapies, environmental adjustments, and skill‑building activities to improve how clients process and respond to sensory input. The goal is to make everyday life, including school, work, play, and social interactions, more manageable and enjoyable. When addressing behavioral concerns, the Occupational Therapist identifies the root causes, such as sensory processing challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, or environmental stressors, and teaches practical strategies to improve daily functioning and self‑control. Participates in interdisciplinary client review meetings by providing recommendations for treatment and progress reports to ensure each client receives an individualized treatment plan. Performs other work as assigned.

Licenses And Certifications

Must be licensed with the South Dakota State Board as an Occupational Therapist. Must be or eligible to be registered as an Occupational Therapist through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• the methods, techniques, and purposes of occupational therapy as they apply to a rehabilitative setting;
• new developments in the field of occupational therapy;
• the care and operation of occupational therapy equipment;
• sensory techniques, methods, and practices utilized with people who are struggling emotionally and behaviorally;
• therapeutic communication skills;
• treatment planning, charting, and report writing;
• co-occurring disorders;
• sensory assessment tools and screening devices.

Skills To

• establish rapport with clients and staff;
• evaluate the condition of patients in relation to occupational therapy and establish an appropriate treatment program;
• initiate new programming;
• maintain accurate records and reports of patient treatment and progress;
• communicate effectively;
• work effectively with emotionally, socially, and behaviorally challenged patients;
• deal effectively with patients from diverse ethnic and sociological backgrounds;
• work with the patients’ clinical and treatment team to implement OT programming;
• research sensory techniques and keep up on industry changes.

Ability To

• supervise;
• follow instructions;
maintain a helpful and sympathetic attitude toward patients;
• work independently and meet deadlines.

Additional Requirements

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08. Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. Successful applicant(s) will undergo an abuse and neglect screening. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening. The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I‑9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire. The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus “An Equal Opportunity Employer”