LOCATION: Ida Crown Jewish Academy / Skokie, IL or Solomon Schechter Therapeutic Day School / Northbrook, IL

WORK STATUS: 0.8 (30 hours per week) / Full-time benefitted / Salary Exempt / 12-months

SUPERVISOR: Therapeutic Day School Manager, Clinical Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Occupational Therapist (OT) in a therapeutic day school setting delivers specialized, student-centered support to individuals with developmental, behavioral, sensory, and emotional challenges. As a key member of the interdisciplinary team, the OT contributes to the development and implementation of behavior support plans, conducts Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), and applies therapeutic interventions to enhance regulation, engagement, and functional independence in all school settings.

With a strong emphasis on functional life and vocational skills, the OT also supports students in developing pre-vocational and vocational competencies aligned with individualized education and transition goals. This includes designing skill-building activities, adapting tasks for accessibility, and fostering work readiness through structured programming. The OT collaborates with clinical and educational staff, provides staff training, and cultivates partnerships with businesses and community organizations to expand real-world learning opportunities.

Through comprehensive evaluation, data-driven progress monitoring, and dynamic teamwork, the OT ensures that students gain the skills necessary for success within the school environment and beyond.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

DIRECT OCCUPATIONAL SERVICES:

• Conduct occupational therapy evaluations and write comprehensive reports that inform IEP eligibility and service recommendations.
• Develop measurable, individualized OT goals that align with educational priorities and student needs.
• Create specific, measurable goals based on identified needs (e.g., sensory regulation, self-care, executive functioning, social-emotional development).
• Implement treatment plan on identified needs (e.g., sensory regulation, self-care, executive functioning, social-emotional development). The focus of these services includes, but is not limited to: academic performance, fine and gross motor functioning, positioning, daily living skills, play/leisure skills, work skills, and sensory-motor activities.
• Adapt tasks, materials, and environments to facilitate student access to the curriculum and school routines.
• Utilize trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate strategies to enhance student engagement and participation.
• Participate in IEP meetings, presenting findings, justifications, and progress to team members, families, and district representatives.
• Ensure all documentation meets IDEA, ISBE, and local compliance standards.
• Collect and maintain accurate, ongoing therapy data to support IEP goals and inform instructional planning.
• Complete quarterly progress reports and updates in accordance with IEP timelines and school procedures.
• Use data to adjust therapy interventions and support goal attainment
• Collaborate with special education staff, related service providers, and administrators to support comprehensive service delivery.
• Communicate effectively with families to explain OT services, progress, and how supports generalize across home and school.
• Contribute to classroom-based support through push-in services, co-treatments, and staff consultation.
• Maintain up-to-date therapy logs, service minutes, and Medicaid billing (if applicable).
• Adhere to school and district expectations for documentation timelines and record-keeping accuracy.
• Monitor IEP dates, re-evaluation timelines, and therapy caseload assignments in coordination with school staff.
• Assesses and makes environmental and other adaptations to allow students to access and benefit from their program of specialized instruction.
• Collaborates with school staff and/or parents in developing, implementing, evaluating and maintaining occupational job responsibilities may include lifting and physical management.
• Serves on agency committees, task forces, work groups, etc., as requested.

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT/PROGRAMMING:

• Collaborate with Clinical Manager and Social Worker to develop, implement, and monitor individualized behavior intervention plans (BIPs).
• Conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA), contributing sensory and functional insights to support comprehensive analysis along with Social Worker
• Provide recommendations for environmental adaptations and sensory regulation strategies that support positive behavioral outcomes.
• Utilize a process-informed approach and therapeutic techniques appropriate for students
• Collect and analyze data to monitor behavior plans to inform and guide programming.
• Document services, interventions, and student performance in accordance with school, state, and licensing requirements.
• Develop and implement reset behavior plans to meet student needs along with Clinical Manager, Social Worker, and Lead Para Educator
• Identify/adapt behavior programming to match students profiles to help support functional independence ( i.e behavior plans, sensory plans, educational accommodations, incentive plans, alternative learning environments, etcs with clear time frames, and data collection)
• Collect and analyze data to evaluate student progress toward treatment plan goals.
• Collaborate with the educational team to adjust goals and interventions as needed based on data and student response.

VOCATIONAL PROGRAMMING:

• Develop and implement motor assessments and functional task analyses to guide programming for vocational services.
• Create and adapt curriculum and materials to support pre-vocational and vocational skill acquisition, including activities of daily living, motor coordination, executive functioning, and workplace behavior.
• Lead and co-lead vocational skill-building groups focused on tool use, sequencing, task initiation, organization, and stamina.
• Provide training and consultation to staff on strategies to support students in work-based learning environments and classroom simulations.
• Mentor classroom teams in implementing structured routines and supports that align with OT strategies for job readiness and task completion.
• Collaborate with school leadership to build and sustain partnerships with community businesses and organizations for paid or volunteer opportunities.
• Contribute to transition planning and IEP development by establishing OT-related goals that promote vocational success and independence.
• Monitor and document progress on student vocational and functional goals using data-driven tools and observation.
• Driving is required to access the community
• Other duties as assigned.
  

• Bachelor's Degree Required, Master’s preferred
• Working knowledge of the principals, practices and ethical standards of Occupational Therapy; relevant state and federal laws, rules and regulations; and applicable district policies and procedures.
• Valid Illinois Registration/Certification for Occupational Therapy
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience working with students with significant special needs to include autism, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, and behavioral challenges.
• Demonstrate calm leadership in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of Judaics is helpful
• Hold a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 25 pounds
• Must maintain a current certification in CPR and Safety Care

Keshet offers a robust Employee Benefit Program which includes:

• Affordable healthcare plans
• Dental
• Vision
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• 401k plan with employer matching contributions
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Sick Time
• PTO
• Tuition reimbursement

ABOUT KESHET

Keshet is a one-of-a-kind organization that brings classroom experiences, camps, sports, residential, social, and vocational activities for 600 people with disabilities each year. From the very start, Keshet has grown alongside our participants, creating a community of belonging where people of all abilities learn, play, work, live, and grow together.

Today, Keshet continues to flourish, with over 75 programs in the Chicago and Wisconsin area, four residential homes, 200 dedicated staff and lay leaders, dozens of community and corporate partners, and thousands of engaged donors around the world. Nurtured by respect, creativity, tenacity and unconditional love, Keshet makes a powerful difference in the lives of each child and adult with disabilities, their families, the community and beyond.