2025-26 Physical Therapist

Class Title: Physical Therapist Education Specialist 

Reports to: Director of Special Education/Pupil Personnel Services

South San Francisco Unified School District

The South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) community includes 15 schools supporting 8,000 students in Daly City, San Bruno, and South San Francisco.

Our mission is that in partnership with our community, SSFUSD will provide exceptional instruction, engaging experiences, and equitable and accessible opportunities and resources to further support our diverse student body so that students are equipped to learn, thrive, navigate their future with purpose, and impact their community.

In February 2024, the School Board for SSFUSD adopted our new Vision and Five-Year Strategic Plan. Educators are at the heart of our priorities - exceptional instruction, engaged students, purposeful partnerships, empowered educators, and equity-centered systems. 

The Role

SSFUSD is seeking a dynamic, equity-focused, and inclusive Physical Therapist Education Specialist to join our school community. SSFUSD refuses to accept that the educational outcomes of students in our district are overwhelmingly predictable based on students’ race, socioeconomics, ethnicity or learning differences. We remain committed to working each day to examine systemic, institutional, and individual biases in order to dismantle systems of inequities that will enable all students to thrive. 

Under the direction of the Director of Special Education/Pupil Personnel Services, the Physical Therapist Education Specialist will provide assessment, consultation, and direct school based physical therapy to pupils enrolled in or referred to special education programs. 

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Physical Therapist Education Specialist may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements. 

As a Physical Therapist in SSFUSD, responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Accessing children’s basic skills and abilities in gross motor function, balance and equilibrium, orthopedic status, motor planning, developmental or functional activities, range of motion, postural tone, gait, reflex integration, and kinesthesia. 
• Assisting in developing the pupils’ Individualized Education Plan (IEP). 
• Developing individual pupil baseline goals. 
• Providing physical therapy intervention to pupils. 
• Providing assistance to the classroom teacher by demonstrating exercises and activities. 
• Monitoring therapy received by pupils and recording progress. 
• Designing and developing adaptive equipment and adjusting for proper fit as needed. 
• Acting as liaison to district staff, physicians, parents, and other agencies in implementing the pupil’s IEP. 
• Traveling to other district sites as assigned. 
• Directing the work of student interns or other staff as assigned. 
• Performing related duties as assigned. 

Working Conditions 

• Environment: 
• Office and classroom setting
• Driving vehicle to school sites to provide assistance to students and staff 
• Physical Demands: 
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information. 
• Seeing to perform assigned duties. 
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time. 
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate equipment and perform assigned duties 
• Kneeling, bending at the waist 
• Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally to retrieve and store files and supplies. 
• Lifting moderately heavy objects.

Requirements

• Education And Experience: 
• Any combination of training, experience, and/or education equivalent to: 
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university; 
• Graduation from an approved school of physical therapy; 
• California registration as a Physical Therapist; 
• One year work experience providing physical therapy services. 
• Licenses And Other Requirements: 
• Valid California driver’s license and availability of private transportation; 
• Valid CPR and First Aid certification. 
• Knowledge Of: 
• Principles, methods, and equipment used in physical therapy. 
• Child development and growth. 
• Posture and movement dysfunction. 
• Technical aspects of the field of specialty. 
• Ability To: 
• Design and fit adaptive devices, following medical prescription and adapt for educational purposes. 
• Administer required assessments and evaluate pupil progress. 
• Recommend educationally related treatment objectives and implement therapy. 
• Operate standard office equipment including microcomputers and related software applications. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. 
• Plan and organize work. 
• Meet schedules and timelines.
• Maintain records and prepare reports. 
• Read, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. 

Application Requirements

• Updated resume
• Transcripts of your undergraduate degree, and graduate degrees if applicable. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes only. Official transcripts will be required if you are extended an offer to work in the district. 
• Proof of registration as a Physical Therapist
• Proof of First Aid and CPR certification

Please note that if you are extended an offer from SSFUSD, you will also need to complete the following prior to beginning work, including training: 

• Provide clearance of TB test, as mandated by California Education code. 
• Submit fingerprints for California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation clearance.

*Please note that this job description is subject to Board review. The details are subject to change upon approval.

Salary : $110,327 - $131,531