OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

The Utica City School District is accepting applications from qualified candidates for an anticipated vacancy in the follow area: Occupational Therapist.

Please note: This position is governed by Civil Service. The Utica City School District is affiliated with the City of Utica Department of Civil Service. Please read through the posting to learn more about Civil Service Requirements for this position.

The Utica City School District’s mission is to ensure that all students succeed and are well-rounded, with knowledge, skills, and character to be productive members of society.

The District’s vision is that students can reach their goals and find academic success through a variety of pathways and with different levels of support.

About the Utica City School District:

The Utica City School District serves a community of approximately 64,500 city residents in an urban and multi- cultural environment with a current enrollment of roughly 9,644 students in its 13 schools __ Proctor High School, Donovan Middle School, JFK Middle School and 10 elementary schools. The District’s greatest asset is its diversity, with more than 50 languages spoken and 16% of students being English language learners.

Elementary - The District’s elementary schools integrate a vibrant curriculum across all grade levels and subject areas, aligning with the New York State Learning Standards. The District is also investing in the realignment of math goals, instruction and curriculum to focus on research-based best practices in mathematics that are proven to increase student performance outcomes. In all subject areas, there is an understanding that developing foundational skills will support students in bridging gaps in learning. Students are provided with a well-rounded curriculum focused on fostering academic and social/emotional competencies that will carry them through their academic career.

Middle School - The focus at the District’s middle schools is to ensure that students are provided with equitable opportunities to successfully transition from elementary to high school. Both middle schools offer opportunities for students to succeed at every learning level, with dedicated classes for English Language Learners and students with disabilities, as well as honors/advanced studies. The Family and Career Sciences and Technology programs have incorporated science, technology, engineering and math topics into each curriculum to help prepare students for the Career and Technical Education opportunities available at the high school.

High School - Proctor High School provides numerous avenues for students to achieve the District’s vision. This is accomplished through supportive and adaptive special education and English language learner programming, a robust honors and Advanced Placement curriculum, and partnerships with post-secondary institutions including Mohawk Valley Community College and Syracuse University’s Project Advance. Most recently, the District unveiled our latest initiative at a ribbon-cutting ceremony: innovative Career and Technical Education programming for UCSD high school students in the brand new CTE wing at Proctor High School. Proctor’s Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp (NJROTC), music, art and drama programs, along with numerous extracurricular activities and athletics, offer additional avenues to showcase students’ talents and interests and support them throughout their school experience.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

This position exists in a City School District and involves responsibility for evaluating, planning and providing

Occupational therapy treatment to students in accordance with written prescription

or referral from a physician who provides medical direction. Administrative direction

is received from the OT coordinator and director of special education relative to

scheduling and recordkeeping. Supervision over the work of COTA staff a

responsibility of employees in this class.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

Performs occupational therapy procedures upon the written prescription or referral

from a physician, utilizing a creative activity which may be manual, industrial,

recreational or educational designed and/or adapted to enhance classroom

performance.

Evaluates the degree of function and disability of students unless contraindicated by

professional judgment or a physician's order;

Records on students' records evaluations, reevaluations, progress notes, consultations

and treatment summaries;

Participates with other facility personnel in the formulation of students' total IEP;

Develops or assists in the development of district occupational therapy policies and

procedures:

Develops a goal plan to be incorporated into the individualized educational plan for

each student to receive therapy services;

Develops and applies adaptive assistance devices and/or self-help techniques to aid

students achieve maximum independence within a school;

Maintains program records including but not limited to the service budget and

statistical reports of the frequency and types of treatment and the number of

students treated.

Participates in Comprehensive Support Service Team staffings;

Participates in parent and teacher conferences relative to occupational therapy

procedures;

Establishes and maintains communications with physicians and community agencies

working with the students.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES & PERSONAL

CHARACTERISTICS:

Good knowledge of the principles, techniques and practices of occupational therapy;

good knowledge of the operation and minor maintenance of apparatus and

equipment used in occupational therapy; working knowledge of community resources

available to support or supplement the occupational therapy program; ability to

evaluate, plan and execute treatments for students; ability to get along well with

others; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : Licensed and currently registered by the New

York State Education Department as an Occupational Therapist.

Qualifications: Appropriate N.Y.S. Licensure

Salary Range: $43,138-97,377, as per U.T.A. Contract

The starting salary ranges from $43,138 (without a master's degree) to $46,136 (with master's degree). Consideration of additional compensation may be given for graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor's or master's degree and for years of certified experience. The current Utica Teachers’ Association contract salary range, depending on years of teaching and level of education, reaches a maximum salary of $113,252 for the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, teachers are afforded the opportunity to earn above base salary if they choose to participate in

• extended learning time programs
• additional class coverages
• summer programming opportunities
• act as club advisors and/or coaches.

The Utica City School District offers a comprehensive benefits package.

The Utica City School District is a longstanding recipient of the Teachers of Tomorrow Grant, which provides financial incentive for new, eligible hires who meet the grant's criteria per the state guidelines.

Civil Service Information:

• Civil Service Classification: Competitive (scored based on experience);
• Residency Requirement: Must be a City of Utica resident;
• Applicants must be appointed based on eligibility list from Civil Service. If no list exists, applicants are appointed provisionally and must pass the civil service exam when it is administered;
• Fingerprinting Clearance - see additional information on our website under the Department of Human Resources; and,
• Must comply with Civil Service Law.

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  All interested candidates must apply through our online platform:

The Utica City School District will only be accepting applications through this site. Please note, you must create an online account in order to apply. If you have questions relating to the application process, please contact Chief Human Resources Officer, Sara Klimek at [email protected] . *

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer which fully and actively supports equal access for all regardless of Race, Color, Weight, National Origin, Ethnic Group, Religion, Religious Practice, Disability, Sexual Orientation, Gender, Age, Veteran Status or Genetic Information.