Occupational Therapist

BUFFALO BOARD OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
ROOM 720 CITY HALL
BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202
September 24, 2025
RECRUITMENT BULLETIN RB# 25-089a
BUFFALO BOARD OF EDUCATION VACANCY
Civil Service Residency Requirements Will Apply
**(The City of Buffalo Civil Service does not require residency within the City of Buffalo for Native Americans.

The City of Buffalo Civil Service does require tribal enrollment or community recognition as a Native American)
POSITION:
Occupational Therapist - Temporary
SALARY:
$76,272 - $93,170
LOCATION:
Committee on Special Education, PS 197 Math Science Technology Preparatory School, 646 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215
Application
CANDIDATES FOR THIS POSITION SHOULD COMPLETE AN APPLICATION AVAILABLE ONLINE AT
Applications successfully received will generate a confirmation email to the account listed on the application. If you do not receive a confirmation email, we cannot guarantee that your application was received. You must submit an application until you receive a confirmation email.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS**
An Occupational Therapist is a licensed professional responsible for evaluating, planning and carrying out occupational therapy work with handicapped children (emotionally disturbed, learning disabled, mentally retarded, physically handicapped and other health impaired)) while attending the Buffalo Public Schools. An incumbent plans and conducts treatment procedures using appropriate therapeutic modalities and rehabilitative activities. They observe and record patient's reactions to occupational therapy to exchange information with classroom teachers, evaluates the effectiveness of the program and adapts occupational therapy treatments according to the needs of the school children. They provide direction, assistance, consultation and instruction on all aspects of the occupational therapy program. Incumbents are required to have personal contacts with specialists of other disciplines in coordinating treatment plans, interpreting treatments and occupational therapy objectives and in providing precise factual and evaluative written and oral reports on the progress of patients in therapy. A licensed Occupational Therapist works with considerable independence in planning and carrying out a treatment program and in evaluating the progress of school children in the program within the scope of acceptable professional occupational therapy practices.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Occupational Therapists relate on a day-to-day basis with individual children in carrying out prescribed occupational therapy as follows:

• Administers test batteries, such as the Ayres Sensory Integrative Battery for identifying deficits in cognitive ability of children;
• Administers Sensory Integrative services directed toward dysfunction syndromes of disorder in postural and bilateral integration, developmental apraxia, tactile defensiveness, visual form and space, unilateral disregard and functions of right cerebral hemisphere and auditory - language disorders
• Consults and works with classroom teachers to assist in programming within the regular class
• Teaches children the skills and techniques required for participation in occupational therapy activities for the purpose of restoring, improving or maintaining function
• May direct the activities of paraprofessional staff, trainees, students and volunteers participating in the occupational therapy program
• May conduct or participate in training programs for trainees, students and others
• Attends periodic meetings to report on patients' reactions and progress in the occupational therapy program
• Maintains records and prepares official reports
• Participates in conferences, institutes and workshops for the purpose of upgrading their occupational therapy skills
• Performs related work as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Good knowledge of the principles, theory, methods and objectives of occupational therapy
• Good knowledge of materials and equipment and their application or use in an occupational therapy program
• Ability to apply principles and practices of occupational therapy
• Ability to plan, direct and layout activities adapted to the school children's particular disability
• Ability to prepare accurate and timely written records and reports
• Ability to establish rapport with school children in order to stimulate their interest in and to guide and instruct them in occupational therapy activities
• Ability to identify school children's progress or reason for lack of progress
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a License and current registration as an Occupational Therapist issued by the NYS Department of Education, which must be presented at time of filing application.

FINAL FILING DATE:
September 30, 2025
Approved
Tami Hollie-McGee
Chief of Human Resources