Manager, Related Services (Occupational & Physical Therapy)

Position Overview

 

The mission of the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) is to provide educators with curricular resources, academic programs, and aligned professional development to ensure rigorous and joyful learning experiences for every student. OTL team members support school-based staff in implementing DCPS's existing academic programs while simultaneously working to rethink and redesign school programming, academic and curricular resources, and educator professional development. 

Divisions/Teams 

• The Content and Curriculum division sets the vision for equity and excellence for each content area in DCPS schools by researching, creating, and curating curricular materials and providing aligned professional development experiences to ensure that all students have access to rigorous and joyful learning experiences every day in every content area. The division also supports schools and develops curriculum and programming in arts, health, physical education, library programs, STEM, global programs, advanced and enriched instruction, and curriculum and assessment innovation. 

• The Early Childhood Education division supports schools and families in providing PreK students with comprehensive learning experiences that foster confidence and independence. Approximately 6,000 children ages three to five attend early childhood classrooms in 78 elementary schools across the district, including several schools that offer Head Start programming. The division also manages Early Stages programming which works exclusively with children ages 2 years 8 months through 5 years 10 months and is responsible for meeting the District’s obligation under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B (619) to develop a comprehensive child find system to identify and locate all preschool-age children in the District who have a disability. The division also manages the implementation of DCPS' Head Start grant.​ 

• The Language Acquisition division welcomes families of linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds to DCPS, leads the process of identifying Multilingual Learner students, and supports schools in developing programs that supports English language acquisition and academic growth. This includes support during the academic day and as part of ELSAP, which is a targeted summer program for ML students. The LAD also manages DCPS compliance with the DC Language Access Act, providing translation and interpretation resources to school and central teams. 

• The Professional Learning and Educational Technology division sets a vision for professional development for DCPS as well as creates systems, tools, and structures to increase the efficacy of professional learning initiatives. This work includes LEAP, cluster-based PD, district PD and other learning opportunities. The team works across all DCPS offices to increase the cohesion of professional development and broad sharing of knowledge, while exploring new avenues and opportunities for meaningful development and learning for our educators. The team also leads efforts to enhance alignment and cohesion of professional learning initiatives and the integration of educational technology.​ 

• The Specialized Instruction division works to reduce the opportunity gap between students with IEPs and their non-disabled peers; and increases equity and excellence in schools through specific academic programming, related services, professional learning, school leadership development, family engagement, dispute resolution, and community partnerships.  

 

The Specialized Instruction division works to reduce the opportunity gap between students with IEPs and their non-disabled peers; and increases equity and excellence in schools through specific academic programming, related services, professional learning, school leadership development, family engagement, dispute resolution, and community partnerships.  

 

Within the team of three managers, the Manager, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy is responsible for supervising the approximately 85 plus Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists and the services provided to over 2,200 students in the District of Columbia Public Schools. This position shall supervise, plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate assigned occupational therapy and physical therapy programs; serve as a specialist and resource to professional and technical personnel in special education; supervise and facilitate occupational therapy and physical therapy services; serve as a resource to the school district, as well as provide technical assistance to the district in hiring and supervision of staff; and perform related duties as assigned.

The Manager, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy has first-line responsibility for supervising, planning, assigning, monitoring, and evaluating the quality and quantity of work of a number of occupational therapy and physical therapy and Central Services clerical employees. In addition, the Manager, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy provides staff development and training to staff in the areas of current trends, new and innovative strategies, and best practices for serving students with fine motor, gross motor, and sensory disorders for DCPS. In collaboration with other discipline managers, this position manages and leads various workstreams for the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy program including university partnerships, graduate student interns, contracts, budget, spend plans, Extended School Year, MTSS, 504 and IEP services, IDEA compliance, professional development, policies and procedures, and recruitment and hiring.

This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; and Traffic record check (as applicable).

The Manager, Related Services (Occupational & Physical Therapy) will report to the Senior Director, Related Services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develops overall program strategy and clear, specific, and ambitious performance measures for multiple projects and operational priorities; and translates targets into individual work goals and deliverables for the provider community and program. 
• Leads the implementation of program strategy; assesses and tracks project progress towards Related Services strategic goals; regularly using various computer programs and tools; and drives project completion through individual and team project planning. 
• Assigns, directs, and evaluates the work of direct reports; guides and supports the professional development and training of reports; works with vendors and/or HR to recruit related service providers; and completes IMPACT performance evaluations. 
• Determines resource needs for program success within context of broader DCPS strategy and initiatives; and ensures that resources are efficiently managed, able to provide data that supports how resources directly or indirectly support students. 
• Helps manage the analysis and presentation of data and progress of data-driven initiatives for senior management team and external audiences; communicates progress to key stakeholder groups; incorporates their input; and responds to information and data requests completely, and with attention to deadlines. 
• Anticipates, identifies, and resolves complex obstacles to success of overall program as well as specific projects. Interviews and surveys other colleagues and management teams to determine opportunities for improvement; researches specific issues; and develops detailed recommendations and implementation plans to resolve. 
• Builds relationships and liaises with various internal departments to drive collaboration and project success; and interacts with and responds effectively to urgent requests from multiple internal and external DCPS stakeholders. Identifies and systematizes successful operational and project management methods across the department; and develops and strengthens resources for program evaluation and support. 
• Stays closely aware of progress of projects, high-level initiatives, and emerging issues across DCPS organization and pro-actively helps to adjust program approach based on changes in direction, priorities, and resources. 
• Stays aware of innovations, developments in policy, and research and advises DCPS senior management team on proposed legislation, policies, and procedures affecting the Related Services team and projects assigned; and updates guidance to providers that aligns with program enhancements, policies, and legislation. 
• Oversees, supervises, and evaluates assigned staff. 
• Establishes systems of support to staff that are performing at less than optimal levels. 
• Interviews, selects, plans, organizes, schedules, and assigns staff; recommends hiring and dismissal; and ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreement. 
• Provides staff development and in-service training to the school district; provides and disseminates information on federal and state laws, rules, and regulations; develops and participates in community engagement activities that support teachers, parents, and school leaders; and provides technical support to schools that promotes collaboration and skill building. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy and four to six years of school-based work experience.
• Master's degree in Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy preferred.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
• Previous experience supervising OT or PT graduate students.
• Previous occupational therapy or physical therapy management experience a plus. Eligible for DC Department of Health Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy License.
• Knowledge of current trends and research in the field of occupational therapy or physical therapy.

 

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact [email protected].