Occupational Therapist - Special Education 2025-2026

• Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of 2024 Best Employers in Arizona.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for consecutive years.

Job Summary:

To provide our students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become life-long learners and responsible citizens by developing, planning, and implementing appropriate therapeutic programs for the students of the district. 

Candidates must complete an on-line application which requires appropriate Arizona certification, valid IVP Arizona fingerprint clearance card, evidence of highly qualified status, three letters of recommendation, and transcript of credits.

Key Responsibilities:

This section outlines the primary duties and key responsibilities required for this role, detailing the essential tasks and functions necessary to perform the job successfully, with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Implements therapeutic activities to address deficits in the area/s of fine motor, visual motor, sensory motor, and visual perceptual as indicated on the IEP
• Directly supervises COTA's and/or Fieldwork Students as per state licensure statutes
• Administers, interprets, and writes up assessments in the areas of fine motor, visual motor, sensory motor and visual perceptual how these areas affect a student's academic performance
• Instructs students, teachers, parents and other involved persons for the purpose of supporting the student
• Consults with teachers, parents, other personnel and/or outside professionals for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans (IEP) for services and/or making recommendations
• Participates in meetings, processes, etc. for the purpose of ensuring that state standards and/or federal mandates are achieved
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g. progress reports, daily treatment notes, Medicaid billing, student activities, correspondence, IEP's, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference and/or conveying information
• Presents information (e.g. student performance data, and clinical feedback, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, gaining feedback and ensuring adherence to established internal controls
• Assesses/recommends need for adaptive equipment and/or environmental modifications as needed for successful implementation of a student's functional goals
• Participates/facilitates in meetings, workshops, and seminars for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform school-based functions
• Research resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing a student's functional goals
• Responds to all internal and external customers, as it relates to job, in a prompt, efficient and patient manner
• Conducting evaluations, developing and implementing appropriate therapeutic programs for students
• Reassessing and revising programs as necessary as student’s status changes
• Gathering therapeutic equipment and designs specialized equipment as needed
• Planning and conducting in-service activities in occupational therapy
• Accepting responsibility for students’ well-being and safety while they are in employee’s care
• Assisting in the maintenance of a quiet and orderly classroom environment
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, an applicant must meet the following required qualifications. Verification of these required qualifications is necessary. 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in pre-occupational therapy, psychology, biology, or related field
• Master’s degree accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, in child development, therapeutic techniques

• Current license from the Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. Grandfather Clause for licensure is honored

 Experience:

• Completion of six to nine months of supervised clinical affiliations
• Health standards and hazards, safety practices and procedures, knowledge of medical and neurodevelopmental conditions commonly seen in a pediatric population, knowledge of various assessment materials for this population and knowledge of positioning devices
• Includes placements in diverse settings, often focusing on pediatrics, physical disabilities, or mental health
• Expertise in sensory processing, motor skill development, and assistive technologies for students
• Experience with individualized education programs (IEPs) is a key competency

Skills & Competencies:

This section outlines the critical skills and competencies required to excel in this role, enabling effective performance, adaptability, and consistent achievement of job responsibilities.

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and 504 Plans
• Collaboration with teachers, special educators, speech therapists, and other staff
• Skilled in using standardized tests and observational assessments to determine students' needs.
• Ability to create and implement individualized treatment plans tailored to student needs
• Ability to adapt classroom tools and environments to enhance participation (e.g., assistive devices, sensory-friendly modifications)
• Act as a resource for staff training on therapeutic strategies and accommodations
• Manage a caseload of students, including scheduling, progress monitoring, and documentation
• Creative approaches to addressing challenges in diverse and often resource-constrained environments
• Sensitivity to students' emotional and developmental needs

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

This section outlines the work environment and physical conditions associated with this role. It includes information on whether the job involves working in an office, classroom, or other settings, and if there are physical activities like standing, walking, or lifting. 

• Workspaces include General education classrooms, special education rooms, therapy rooms, playgrounds, and sometimes hallways or cafeterias
• Work hours align with the school day, but preparation and documentation may extend beyond standard hours
• Exposure to sensory-rich environments (e.g., noisy classrooms, visually stimulating spaces)
• Frequent movement between classrooms, therapy spaces, and other areas of the school
• Occasionally lifting or moving light to moderately heavy equipment, such as therapy tools, assistive devices, or adaptive furniture
• Ability to exert 10-30 pounds of force, to lift, push, pull or otherwise move objects

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:  

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.

Salary : $65 - $1,000