First Children Services logo
First Children Services
Plainfield, New Jersey

2569-Occupational Therapist

Occupational TherapistFull-Time

Listed compensation

Compensation Range: $85K–$90K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

  • School Based Occupational Therapist
  • Full-Time/Exempt
  • Location: First Children School, Plainfield, NJ
  • Compensation Range: $84,500-$89,570/annually
  • Reports to: School Principal

Position Summary

First Children Services is seeking a dedicated and professional Occupational Therapist to join our team at the First Children School in Plainfield, NJ.

In this role, you will collaborate with school personnel to support the goals outlined in students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and deliver high-quality Occupational Therapy services.

The ideal candidate is passionate about helping students thrive in the least restrictive environment through direct intervention, consultation, documentation, and coordination with a multidisciplinary team.

First Children School in Plainfield, NJ is a New Jersey Department of Education approved private special education school, serving students in grades PreK through high school. We specialize in educating students with multiple disabilities including those who are medically fragile, developmentally, intellectually, or physically disabled, deaf or hard of hearing, and/or visually impaired.

Job Responsibilities

  • Partner with teachers, therapists, and school staff to achieve IEP goals.
  • Participate in faculty meetings, special education sessions, and parent-teacher conferences.
  • Deliver services using multiple models, including classroom-based, consultation, and pullout.
  • Provide individualized and group therapy based on evidence-based practices.
  • Maintain accurate records of daily sessions, progress reports (triannual), and annual IEP documentation.
  • Submit timely and accurate documentation for third-party reimbursement.
  • Conduct and interpret informal and curriculum-based assessments.
  • Present findings and service recommendations to IEP teams.
  • Develop and implement individualized interventions to address student needs.
  • Offer information and strategies to school staff and families regarding fine motor skills and feeding challenges.
  • Supervise Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, interns, and volunteers.
  • Ensure effective use and maintenance of therapy equipment and resources.
  • Foster a respectful, inclusive, and confidential school environment.
  • Stay current on statewide testing procedures.
  • Create and manage therapy schedules, ensuring timely completion of documentation.
  • Participate in continuing education and meet CEU requirements for licensure.
  • Adhere to company policies and procedures.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Team

This role will be part of the instructional team, reporting to the school principal.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution.
  • Current New Jersey Occupational Therapy license.
  • NJ Department of Education Certification.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English (written and spoken).
  • Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
  • Physical ability to assist with student needs, including emergency evacuations.
  • Demonstrated professionalism and a commitment to ongoing development.

Benefits

Our benefit package includes medical, dental, and vision plans, vacation/sick pay, life insurance, short & long-term disability, access to EAP and discount plans, 401(k) retirement plan, and employee referral bonus plan.

Who We Are

First Children Services is comprised of a dedicated team of professionals committed to providing the very best services day in and day out. We integrate a variety of effective techniques along with family involvement to achieve optimum results. At First Children Services, children and their families with the most extraordinary challenges are met with compassion, dedication and determination.

EEO

First Children Services is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Our agency prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

First Children Services is committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us at recruitment@firstchildrenservices.com.

In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition ID number of the position for which you are applying.

Key Responsibilities

Collaborate with school personnel to implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and provide high-quality occupational therapy services to students with multiple disabilities. Responsibilities include conducting assessments, delivering individualized and group therapy, and maintaining accurate progress documentation for reimbursement.

Requirements

Requires a degree in Occupational Therapy (Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral) and a current New Jersey Occupational Therapy license. Candidates must also hold NJ Department of Education Certification and possess the physical ability to assist students.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

IEP DevelopmentStudent AssessmentFeeding TherapyMultidisciplinary CollaborationClinical DocumentationCase ManagementSupervisionEvidence-based PracticeInterpersonal CommunicationPatient Care

Occupational Therapist Career Context

In New Jersey, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$98k (201 salary observations; 463 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (6,588 salary observations; 25,229 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

The cost-of-living index for New Jersey is 108.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$87k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $80k in an average-cost state. 63.8% of New Jersey clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 40 active Occupational Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 5% are remote, 45% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

Occupational Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.5% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates 2569-Occupational Therapist at First Children Services a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 10% in Occupational Therapy — ranked against 9,285 active Occupational Therapy listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Occupational Therapist Jobs

22 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution22 jobs · 17 employers

9
<$105k
7
$105k-120k
2
$120k-135k
3
$135k-150k
1
$160k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks19 jobs · 17 employers

401k / retirement match
95% this job
Sign-on bonus
58%
CME allowance
53% this job
Loan repayment
21%
Relocation assistance
11%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Occupational Therapist (Home Health)

21st Century Home Health Services · Galt, California

$130k-$160k
#2

Occupational Therapist

Sentara Health · Norfolk, Virginia

$96k-$141k
#3

Occupational Therapist Matawan NJ

$140k
#4

Occupational Therapist Marlboro NJ

$140k
+ 20 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 7.2
Among the best 10% of Occupational Therapy listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 9,285 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Plainfield

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$495k≈ 5.9× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,146/mo≈ 30% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
30 min
State income tax
Up to 10.8%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

First Children Services logo

About First Children Services

Consumer Services
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, and vision plans
Vacation/sick pay
Life insurance
Short & long-term disability
EAP and discount plans
401(k) retirement plan
Employee referral bonus plan