OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST K-8 (2026-27)

Sylvania; Orland Park (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Sylvania in Orland Park, Illinois, is looking for an Occupational Therapist to lead and coordinate the occupational therapy program for students with disabilities. The candidate will develop individualized programs and assess student needs, collaborating with staff to optimize student achievement.

This role requires a valid Illinois license and experience with diverse student populations. Successful applicants will demonstrate strong communication and assessment skills, with a commitment to professional excellence.

Qualifications

• Valid Occupational Therapist license issued from the Illinois Department.
• Experience with EC-8 level students.
• Experience with students with varying disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the occupational therapy program development.
• Evaluate and monitor students with disabilities.
• Collaborate with team to understand student needs.

Skills

Occupational Therapy knowledge

Assessment skills

Collaboration with staff

Communication skills

Professional development participation

Education

Current Occupational Therapist license from Illinois

Job description

Supervisor: Director/Assistant Director/Coordinator of Special Education/Principal / Assistant Principal
Salary: Per Teacher's Collective Bargaining Agreement, Contract Extension and Benefits
Work Schedule: School Year

Summary Title

Under the general supervision of the Director and Assistant Director of Special Education, to lead the process in the development, implementation, and coordination of the school district's occupational therapy program for students with disabilities or physical/mental impairments by developing individualized programming based on occupational performance deficits activities of daily living, including personal care, interaction skills, community integration, work, and communication.

Team members will be required to perform their respective roles as members of the diagnostic team. These tasks include but are not limited to communication with parents, working with young children, and completion of required Domain, EDC, IEP, and after staffing paperwork.

Qualifications / Experience

• Current and valid Occupational Therapist license issued from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations
• Previous experience working with EC-8 level students.
• An interest and/or experience working with students with varying levels/types of disabilities.
• Expertise in conducting educational assessments and the development of individual educational programs.
• The ability to work collaboratively with others to optimize student achievement.
• A willingness to participate in staff development opportunities.
• A strong commitment to professional excellence.

Essential Functions

• Develops, implements and coordinates the school district's occupational therapy program within the school district, including philosophy, vision, procedures and goals.
• Screens, evaluates and monitors students with disabilities or physical mental impairments for the purpose of providing educational programs, therapeutic intervention, and transition and exit planning and enhancing their ability to perform activities of daily living or participate in desired occupations.
• Collaborates with staff to ensure team understanding of student occupational performance strengths and needs, as well as student outcomes.
• Evaluates the student's ability and formulates the student's occupational profile, providing written reports that reflect strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment and guides evidence-based intervention.
• Participates in the development of Individualized Education Programs.
• Provides targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the school environment.
• Assesses the need for assistive technology and equipment and makes recommendations for its use at school to help students function as independently as possible.
• Documents occupational therapy services, and maintains records in accordance with school district policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts continuing education for school staff, parents, and students.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research, and by maintaining professional relationships.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Director and Assistant Director of Special Education and other administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Note

The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Travel Requirements

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and use of occupational therapy theories, models of practice, principles, and evidence-based practice to guide intervention decisions.
• Knowledge of human development throughout the life span and integrates with student's unique developmental status.
• Knowledge of the influence of disabilities, socio-cultural and socioeconomic factors on student's ability to participate in occupations.
• Knowledge of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Section 504, and other federal and state laws and regulations regarding education and students and physical therapy practice in schools.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Skill in selecting and providing a wide range of intervention strategies and monitoring their effectiveness.
• Effective computer skills as needed for work (e.g., ability to effectively use Microsoft Office suite).
• Ability to determine the need for an occupational therapy evaluation and to select and administer appropriate assessment tools to evaluate the student.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to engage in self‑evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Apply

Applicants should complete the online application and upload all supplementary materials electronically. Hard‑copy materials are not accepted. The online application may be accessed by visiting our website: https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/osd135

We are an equal opportunity employer who fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.