Position Profile

Position: Teacher: Physical Therapist

Department/School: Diagnostic Center

Reports To: Executive Director of Special Education or designee

FTE: 1.0

Days/Year: 187

Salary Schedule: 2025-2026 Teacher/SSP Salary Schedule, Non-School Based Positions (Group C)

FLSA Status: Exempt

 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

 

SUMMARY OF FUNCTION
This position provides specialized programming for student with disabilities who are eligible for Special Education services as defined by the Individual with Disabilities Education Act and the Colorado Exception Children’s Education Act.  Physical Therapist will provide individualized instruction to develop educationally related gross motor, and/or self-help skills in order to assure students receive reasonable educational benefit and have equal access to the general education curriculum.  Displays personal qualities which are appropriate for a professional teacher - such as: maintains professional ethics and confidentiality; is open to learning from others and accepts constructive criticism; is a positive role model for students (e.g. is consistent, fair, dependable, responsible, and respectful).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
•Completes assessment of motor skill development with a focus on educational functioning
•Participates as part of a multidisciplinary team, which develops educational plans for students with disabilities
•Provides direct and consultative instructional services to students regarding motor skill development to assure reasonable educational benefit in the least restrictive environment
•Collaborates/consults with school staff, parents and outside agencies to assure issues regarding motor skill development is appropriately addressed in the school setting
•Works to promote independent functioning in activities of daily living such as wheel chair transfers and movement transitions
•Consults with physical education staff to assure that students with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in physical education programs to the fullest extent possible
•Prepares reports and appropriate documentation to assure accountability, including Medicaid billing
•Implements district, state and federal special education regulations as they relate to motor skill development
•Provides direct training for all Educational Assistants/SPED staff for transfers, lifting, gait belt usage, and proper equipment usage, etc. and provides in-service training to others staff as needed/requested
•Interfacing with health care providers including the Health Department, Private Physical Therapists, Physicians and medical equipment vendors
•Provide all services regarding equipment including delivery, maintenance, tracking and ordering as needed
•Consults throughout the RtI process by providing strategies for Tier 1 & 2 students
•Coordinates and plans for a flexible schedule required for multiple destinations and student/staff schedules.  This often requires extensive travel and planning time  
•Consults with Risk Management regarding school evacuation training and school facility access issues as needed

OTHER DUTIES
•Performs other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS
•Current knowledge of a variety of curricular modification/accommodation strategies 
•Current knowledge of State and Federal Special Education law, rules and regulations
•Knowledge of using data analysis to develop and monitor instructional programs 
•Knowledge of general organization and functions of public school system
•Good communication and organizational skills
•Ability to form professional relationships with a variety of individuals
•Knowledge of child and adolescent development
•Ability to communicate effectively and resolve conflict with students, parents, and community groups
•Demonstrates accomplishments in keeping professionally current

QUALIFICATIONS
•Colorado DORA License as Physical Therapist
•National Board for Certification in Physical Therapy
•Colorado Department of Education Professional Special Services License

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to Executive Director of Special Education or designee.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The work is performed in a school classroom or other school environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is mostly walking and standing with periods of sitting.  Typical positions require workers to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, ladders or scaffolding; bend and crouch; reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; demonstrate an athletic activity or physical exercise; feel the shape, size and temperature of objects; and physically restrain students.  The work requires the ability to speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, and to detect odors.

 

Employees in this category will also receive the following for the 2025-2026 school year: 

1. Non-Recurring Pay: 8% of base salary in Non-Recurring Pay (distributed as 4% on November paycheck and 4% on May paycheck). 


2. 10 Additional Days (District Embedded Coaches Only): 10 additional days are built into the base pay for District Embedded Coaches.

Employment, assignment and salary placement, is in accordance with job description requirements. A work history is required to demonstrate job title, job duties and time worked in the position. Reference the linked How Your Compensation Is Determined for more details. 

 

Base Salary Setting: Employment, assignment and salary placement, is in accordance with job description requirements. A work history is required to demonstrate job title, job duties and time worked in the position. Reference the linked How Your Compensation Is Determined for more details. 

 

Base Salary Setting (New Hires): Any newly-employed Teacher/Special Service Provider (SSP) will be placed on the appropriate lane for their educational background (BA, MA, etc). according to the official transcripts that are provided.  They will be placed at the appropriate step for experience listed on the resume. Teachers will receive credit for a maximum of 14 years for any applicable teaching experience (provided that the experience occurred in the last 15 years). 

 

Base Salary Setting (Rehires): Returning employees who have previously resigned or separated from the District will be rehired at the same step they were on at the time of resignation/separation plus any new experience gained in the same job,  provided step increases were approved by the Board during the years in question. 

 

See Employee Handbook (located on the D11 website) for information on salary setting for rehires (after retirement), promotions and lateral transfers. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY