SPED Teacher - Occupational Therapist (Apply directly to school - DO NOT apply online to DCSD)

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Job Posting Title: SPED Teacher - Occupational Therapist (Apply directly to school - DO NOT apply online to DCSD) Job Description: At STEM School Highlands Ranch, we place innovation at the heart of learning to unleash the potential of all students and prepare them for an exponentially changing world.

As a K-12 public charter school in the Douglas County School District, we are committed to creating an environment that fosters respect, success, and continuous improvement. We welcome you to join us in our mission to redefine limits and unleash potential.

Our Core Values: Prioritize Students – Every decision we make is focused on ensuring students thrive, lead, and succeed. The community that surrounds students exists for the purpose of their growth and development. Build a Strong Community – We are more than a school, we are a community.

We all have equal value and seek to encourage each other to maximize our unique strengths, gifts, and passions. The true power of a charter school is in the strength of its community.

Do Right, Always – Honesty, trust, and ethical decision-making guide our actions, fostering respect, accountability, and a safe environment, even in challenging circumstances or when recognition is absent. Embrace Innovation – Never Stop Innovating.

Innovation thrives on continuous growth, bold problem-solving, and a willingness to push boundaries, transforming ideas into meaningful progress.

Take Steady Steps – We play the long game with people and projects by implementing strategic planning, clear communication, systems and process, ample resources, and appropriate pacing - setting a strong foundation for a supportive environment for our community to thrive.

Lead With Care – Dedicated to making a difference through personal ownership, care, and compassion, creates lasting impact in our students, colleagues, and community.

Elevate the Standard – A commitment to continuous growth, where skills are refined, applied, and adapted to achieve the highest standards and empower everyone to reach their fullest potential. Laugh Together – Having fun makes the team work! Creating an environment where joy is encouraged.

Strengthens our teams, fosters a positive culture, and fuels creativity, making everyone feel valued, energized, and motivated to contribute.

Benefits

STEM School Highlands Ranch offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance (available on the 1st of the following month).
• Short-term, long-term disability, life, and ADD insurance (available six months from hire date).
• Retirement benefits including PERA pension and 401K employee-only contribution managed through Colorado’s PERA program.
• Other benefits include FSA (medical and dependent care), Sick Time, and PTO based on years of service Position Specific Information (if Applicable): Position Overview: We are seeking a collaborative, student-centered, and solutions-oriented Occupational Therapist to support students across our K–12 program for the (2026–2027) school year. The Occupational Therapist will play a critical role in supporting students’ ability to access their education by addressing fine motor development, sensory processing, self-regulation, and functional skills. This role works closely with special education teams, general education staff, and families to ensure students can fully engage in the learning environment.

Key

Responsibilities

Student Support and Services

• Evaluate students using formal and informal assessments to determine occupational therapy needs
• Develop and implement IEP goals related to motor, sensory, and functional skills
• Provide direct and consultative occupational therapy services
• Support students in developing independence in school-related tasks Collaboration and Instructional Support
• Partner with teachers and support staff to implement accommodations and strategies
• Adapt classroom environments, materials, and routines to meet student needs
• Provide training and guidance to staff on best practices for supporting diverse learners Family and Community Engagement
• Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress and strategies
• Participate in IEP meetings and contribute to goal development and reporting
• Build strong partnerships with caregivers to support student success Operations and Compliance
• Maintain accurate documentation and service logs in compliance with state and federal regulations
• Ensure adherence to IDEA and district policies
• Monitor student progress and adjust interventions as needed

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy
• Current Colorado Occupational Therapist license
• NBCOT certification
• Experience working with school-aged children
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in a school-based setting
• Familiarity with IEP processes and special education law
• Experience supporting students with autism, sensory processing needs, or developmental delays
• Knowledge of assistive technology and adaptive equipment Essential Physical Requirements
• Occasional lifting of 5 to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to move quickly throughout the building and campus.
• Frequent bending, stooping, walking, standing, kneeling, reaching, and sitting.

Schedule

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• School Year: 2026–2027 This position will remain open until filled, but will not be open past: June 30, 2026.

Compensation The pay range for this role is $62,150 – $131,345 USD per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Interested candidates should apply directly through the STEM School Highlands Ranch at stemk12.org Responsibilities: --- Shares information about agencies and services available in the community as appropriate.

Collaborate with outside agencies/service providers when relevant. --- Guides teachers and other involved personnel in observing fine and gross motor, visual-motor, sensory motor, and visual perceptual deficits which may be interfering in the educational process of a student.

Serves as a resource to school staff members on these topics and may include increasing staff awareness and in servicing staff members. --- Provides reports and maintain ongoing records on those students receiving O.T. intervention. --- Performs screenings and evaluations to assist in the identification of physical/motor deficits that may be impacting the child’s ability to function in a school environment.

Provides information from assessments that will assist the parents and the educational staff in the development of programs for individuals who have identified needs in the motor area. --- Serves as a member of a multidisciplinary team working in cooperation with parents, other support services, educational staff and administration personnel.

Participates in the development of the IEP evaluation, goals and objectives, and accommodations/modifications which are relevant to a child’s needs in the educational environment. --- Provides direct and indirect O.T. intervention where appropriate in the educational setting. --- Documents health related services in Designated Medicaid documentation system for the DCSD School Medicaid Reimbursement Program.

Certifications: CPR/First Aid Certification - American Heart Association, DORA registration for Occupational Therapy - Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs, NBCOT Certification - National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Special Service Provider License - Occupational Therapist - Colorado Department of Education Education: Bachelor's Degree: Occupational Therapy (Required) Skills: Position Type: Charter School Primary Location: STEM Charter School One Year Only (Yes or No): No Scheduled Hours Per Week: 40 FTE: 1.00 Approx Scheduled Days Per Year: 185 Work Days (260 days indicates a year-round position.

Time off [or Off-Track Days] are then granted based on the position. Any exceptions to the normal off-track time will be noted in the Additional Position Details section above, as scheduled work days.)

Minimum Hire Rate: $62,150.00 USD Annual Maximum Hire Rate: $96,747.50 USD Annual Full Salary Range: $62,150.00 USD - $131,345.00 USD Annual All salary amounts listed above are based on a full-time (1.0) FTE. If applicable, part-time salaries will be prorated according to the assigned FTE.

Benefits

This position is eligible for health, vision, dental, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), District paid and voluntary additional (supplemental) life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, critical illness and accident voluntary insurance, employee assistance program (EAP), voluntary 401(k), 403(b) and 457 retirement plan options.

Time Off Plans: This position will be open until filled, but will not be open past: June 15, 2026 Proud to Be DCSD - 65 Years of Excellence A career in Colorado's Douglas County School District is a chance to be part of something incredibly important and fulfilling.

Spanning over 850 square miles, Douglas County School District offers a variety of communities ranging from small rural farm towns to large and fast-growing suburban neighborhoods.

At the heart of it all is a love and dedication to family and a unity of purpose around ensuring that each and every one of our community’s 61,000+ students receives the education needed to have the b