Occupational Therapist

Position Type: Student Services/ Occupational Therapist

Date Posted: 3/31/2026

Date Available: 03/31/2026

Job Description: Occupational Therapist (OT)

Reports To: Director of Special Education

Introduction

Beach Park District 3 is seeking a clinical expert and compassionate collaborator to serve as our Occupational Therapist. In this role, you will work within a multidisciplinary team to ensure that students with physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges can fully participate in their educational environment. You won't just be providing therapy; you'll be empowering students to navigate their world with confidence.

Core Activities & Student Support

Your primary goal is to help students succeed in "the occupation of being a student." Key activities include:

• Fine Motor & Handwriting: Designing activities to improve grip, pencil control, and keyboarding skills for students struggling with written expression.
• Sensory Processing: Implementing "sensory diets" and classroom "calm-down corners" to help students regulate their nervous systems and remain focused on learning.
• Activities of Daily Living (ADL): Teaching functional independence, such as managing zippers/buttons, feeding, and organizing personal belongings (locker/desk management).
• Visual-Motor Integration: Leading exercises that help students coordinate what they see with what they do (e.g., copying from a whiteboard or catching a ball).
• Environmental Modifications: Partnering with teachers to adapt the physical classroom layout or providing specialized seating (wobble stools, weighted lap pads) to support student needs.
• Assistive Technology: Evaluating and training students on low-tech and high-tech tools that bypass physical barriers to learning.

Professional Responsibilities

• Evaluations: Conduct formal assessments to determine eligibility for OT services and identify specific student needs.
• IEP Development: Draft measurable, educationally-relevant goals and attend Individualized Education Program (IEP) and 504 meetings.
• Collaboration: Consult with classroom teachers to "push-in" services, ensuring therapy strategies are used throughout the school day, not just in isolation.

Supervision

Provide clinical supervision for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) as required by the Illinois OT Practice Act.

Education & Requirements

To comply with ISBE and IDFPR regulations for the school year, candidates must have:

• Education: Master's or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an AOTA-accredited program.
• State Licensure: A current, valid license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
• ISBE Certification: A Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Support Personnel endorsement for Occupational Therapy.
• Testing: Must have passed the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) (Occupational Therapist) content area test.

Experience: Prior experience in a pediatric or school-based setting is highly preferred.

Salary & Benefits

This position is compensated according to the Beach Park Education Association (BPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement.

• Salary: Placement on the "Step and Lane" schedule. Because OTs require a Master's degree, the starting salary for the year begins at the MA Lane (Step 1), approximately $53,544 - PHD $122,2016 with 16 years
• Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance; participation in the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System (TRS); and a dedicated budget for professional development and therapy supplies