E.L. Haynes Public Charter School

Job Announcement

Occupational Therapist, Middle and High School 

Start Date: Summer 2019

About

E.L. Haynes Public Charter School was founded in 2004 and has an award-winning program based on effective practices for advancing student achievement.  E.L. Haynes is named for Dr. Euphemia Lofton Haynes - the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate in mathematics and a DC public school teacher for 47 years.  E.L. Haynes is among the top-performing charter schools in Washington D.C. and is recognized locally and nationally as a model and for our exceptional student achievement gains.  E.L. Haynes currently serves nearly 1,200 students in grades PreK-12.

Our Mission 

Every E.L. Haynes student of every race, socioeconomic status, ability level, and home language will reach high levels of academic achievement and be prepared to succeed at the college of his or her choice.  Every E.L. Haynes student will be adept at mathematical reasoning, will use scientific methods effectively to frame and solve problems, and will develop the lifelong skills needed to be successful individuals, active community members, and responsible citizens. 

Description

The Occupational Therapist will report to the Associate Director of Student Support Services.  The Occupational Therapist will collaborate with other occupational therapists, related service providers, teachers, and families to ensure that students with sensory, visual perceptual, visual motor, fine motor, and self-care skills are identified and provided the highest quality occupational therapy to address students' particular needs. This position is split between our Middle School and our High School. 

The Occupational Therapist’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Conduct thorough assessment and diagnosis of deficits in fine motor skills, sensory motor skills, sensory integration, visual motor and visual perceptual skills, and self-care skills.  Conduct informal and formal screenings of students who are possible candidates for special education referral as identified by teachers and the Director of Student Support Services.  Conduct triennial re-evaluations of students who receive occupational therapy.  Produce well-organized written evaluation and screening reports.
• Participate in the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students who qualify for occupational therapy as a related service.  Create goals and objectives for students that are based on assessment of current needs.  Regularly assess students' IEP progress and communicate progress to families each quarter.
• Using knowledge of current research-based best practices, design and implement therapeutic programs for individual students and groups of students based on IEP goals and objectives either in the inclusive general education setting or in pull-out sessions. Track daily service provision in student service database. Will create and manage own schedule of services that ensures all legally required services are provided and works to best meet the students’ needs across settings.
• Regularly participate in eligibility meetings and IEP meetings with teachers and parents. Work to share information about the student with the team in teacher- and family-friendly language that enables everyone to full understand the occupational therapy strengths and needs of the student.
• Collaborate with general education teachers, special education teachers and other related service providers to identify instructional strategies and accommodations/modifications that promote student success in the inclusive general education classroom.
• Use occupational therapy skills to provide intervention services for students in the general education class, including, but not limited to, handwriting skills and small group work aimed at fine motor and gross motor skills.
• Develop an understanding of the use of assistive technology as it relates to areas assessed by occupational therapy and use that understanding to assist students with the use of identified assistive technology. 
• Assist students, families, and staff in understanding students' deficits in the areas of fine motor skills, sensory motor skills, sensory integration, visual motor and visual perceptual skills, and self-care skills so that all can advocate for and support students' achievement of their academic, behavioral, language and social goals.  Refer families to outside organizations as appropriate.
• Provide occasional staff development for teachers in the areas of fine motor skills, sensory motor skills, sensory integration, visual motor and visual perceptual skills, and self-care skills.
• Work to build a successful occupational therapy program in the school.
• Maintain the Occupational Therapy evaluation materials, therapeutic equipment and supplies.
• Engage in continuing education and professional growth activities related to occupational therapy in school setting.  

Qualifications

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who has the educational background and experience to meet DC’s licensure standards. Ideally, a candidate will already be licensed in DC, but a candidate who can shortly become licensed will be considered.

• A belief that all children, from every background, must receive an excellent, college-preparatory education, and are able to reach high levels of academic achievement;
• Demonstrated ability to build and keep strong relationships with diverse students and families;
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
•  Have a proven track record of being a strong team player

Salary & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Our benefits package includes:

• Limited free parking spaces are available through a lottery system. If you do not receive a parking space, you are eligible to enroll in SmarTrip Metro Benefits
• 403(b) retirement account with 3% employer contribution vested after 2 years
• Medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts,  life, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Personal, sick and parental leave

E.L. Haynes is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, and promote for all jobs on the basis of merit, qualifications, skills, and competence. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status.  E.L. Haynes will fully comply with all employment-related and other laws. All employment decisions will be made solely on the basis of the individual's qualifications as related to the requirement of the position being filled.