NORTHERN COLORADO KIDS THRIVE
Occupational Therapist
Job Title: Occupational Therapist
Reports To: Specialist Consultation Manager
Job Location: Fort Collins, CO (Hybrid Remote)
Work Schedule: Full-time; salary (40 hours/week).
May require occasional evening or weekend hours.
Salary Range: $65,000-$70,000, depending on qualifications and experience
Exemption Status: Exempt
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to careers@nocokidsthrive.org. The position closes 6/15/2026.
Note: Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills and the drive necessary to succeed here to apply for this role.
OVERVIEW OF NORTHERN COLORADO KIDS THRIVE
Northern Colorado Kids Thrive (NoCo Kids Thrive) is an independent nonprofit organization and steward of significant public investment dedicated to ensuring every young child in our community has quality early childhood experiences so they thrive from day one.
As the administrator of significant public and private investment in early care and education, NoCo Kids Thrive supports families, child care providers, educators, and community partners through programs that expand access, strengthen the early childhood workforce, improve quality, and build a more coordinated early childhood system.
Through voter-approved early care and education tax funding and additional public and private investments, NoCo Kids Thrive oversees more than $20 million annually in public revenue, in addition to workforce supports, family tuition subsidies, and philanthropic funding. As administrator of these funds, the organization is entrusted with fiscal integrity, transparency, and long-term sustainability in service to children, families, educators, and taxpayers.
Position Summary:
At the NoCo Kids Thrive, we are a close-knit team of professionals who value passion, innovation, adaptability, and a sense of humor. As a member of the Specialist Consultant Team, the Occupational Therapist (OT) contributes to creating nurturing environments and supporting relationships that promote positive developmental, social-emotional, and behavioral outcomes for young children, their families, and early childhood professionals. This position involves collaborative consultation across a variety of early care and education (ECE) settings, offering expertise to support inclusive practices, sensory and motor development, self-regulation, and overall classroom participation. The OT will work to promote wellness in young children by increasing the capacity of adult caregivers to support children's developmental needs; increase child and caregiver resilience, while reducing challenging behaviors (including those that lead to suspensions and expulsions) by utilizing evidence-based best practices; providing early identification of behavioral concerns; and making referrals to appropriate community services. In addition to direct consultation, the OT may engage in related activities such as parent education, interdisciplinary collaboration with other early childhood systems (e.g., home visiting, child welfare), and community training focused on developmental and functional well-being in early childhood. The OT hired for this position will contribute to research exploring the impact of occupational therapy within this context and work closely with the broader team to advance shared goals.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Occupational Therapy
Assessment and Evaluation: Conduct comprehensive evaluations to identify developmental delays or disabilities, focusing on areas like motor skills, sensory processing, and social-emotional development.
Evaluate classroom contexts in partnership with the NoCo Kids Thrive team to ensure accessible learning environments and inclusive pedagogical practices grounded in developmentally appropriate care.
Individualized Intervention Planning: Develop tailored intervention plans that address each child's specific needs, incorporating family goals and priorities, and engaging community partners (i.e., Foothills Gateway) as needed.
Therapeutic Interventions: Implement evidence-based therapeutic activities to support classroom participation and learning through fine and gross motor skills, coordination, sensory integration, and self-care abilities.
Family Collaboration and Education: Work closely with families to educate and empower them with strategies to support their child's development within daily routines.
Interdisciplinary Coordination: Collaborate with other professionals, including early childhood teachers and administrators, to support children’s engagement in learning and to ensure a cohesive approach to the child's development.
Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of assessments, intervention plans, progress notes, and communications in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Community Partnerships
Regular participation in NoCo Kids Thrive all-staff and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant meetings, and Early Childhood Coaches meetings as appropriate.
Regular participation in NoCo Kids Thrive Advisory Council meetings.
Participate in Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) meetings, trainings and conferences as appropriate.
Attend community meetings as requested/required as a representative of NoCo Kids Thrive
Seek out and cultivate partnerships (both local and state-level) that are beneficial to NoCo Kids Thrive strategic goals, vision, and mission.
Provide input to NoCo Kids Thrive training curriculum to provide a variety of ongoing professional development opportunities for the early childhood workforce in Larimer County.
Consultation
Utilize a relationship-based model to coordinate and deliver regular onsite consultative services to ECE programs, guiding professionals and caregivers to effectively understand and support children’s positive behavior and development.
Promote high-quality interactions and relationships between children and their peers and teaching teams, as well as administration and teachers.
Create a shared understanding of the effects of trauma and adversity, including oppression, prejudice, discrimination, racism, and gender inequity on the developing brain.
Demonstrate an awareness and respect for cultural, racial, gender, and other individual differences in the workplace; value diverse perspectives and experiences, and actively promote an inclusive environment that reflects the broader community.
Support the mental health and well-being of adults who care for children.
Connect and refer children, families, and providers to programs, resources, and supports that will foster their development while addressing barriers to access.
Build and maintain trusting relationships by recognizing and understanding both your own and others’ emotions and behaviors, and using that insight to manage your responses in a way that aligns with your values and achieves the desired outcomes.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices in the OT field.
Participate as an active member of a fast-paced team and evolving organization, including the development and implementation of strategic plan goals, program evaluation, and ongoing communication to meet program and fundraising objectives.
Northern Colorado Kids Thrive is committed to delivering high-quality, responsive work so that all young children can thrive from day one. Success in this role means consistently embodying our five core values in daily leadership and decision-making.
Collaboration: Builds strong, respectful partnerships across teams and with diverse community stakeholders. Actively seeks input and works across differences to advance shared goals.
Recognition: Values the contributions of others, seeks feedback, and fosters a culture of appreciation and continuous growth. Strengthens the organization’s reputation as a trusted community partner.
Accountability: Takes ownership of outcomes, follows through on commitments, and connects daily work to the organization’s mission, vision, and public responsibilities. Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing learning, including growth in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Excellence: Leads with integrity, embraces learning, and strives for high-quality results. Balances ambition with sustainability and models healthy boundaries and professional standards.
Joy: Finds purpose in the work and creates space for celebration, connection, and meaning within the team and the broader community.
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
Licensed Occupational Therapist in Colorado
Master's or doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
Demonstrated knowledge, understanding, and expertise of child development, early childhood mental health, early childhood social/emotional screening and assessment tools, prevention and intervention techniques, and local resources.
Experience working in early childhood settings with infants and young children.
Experience working in educational settings with teachers, parents, and administrators.
Strong understanding of child development, excellent communication skills, and the ability to engage effectively with young children and their families.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in relationship-based professional development, technical assistance practices, and adult learning methods.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with diverse and culturally unique populations.
Proficient in the use of Google, Zoom, Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and other computer functions.
Demonstrated skills in written and verbal communication, including correspondence, reports, reflective supervision, etc.
Proven ability to work independently, manage time, complete assignments, and meet deadlines in a shared office space and out of the office or via telecommuting.
Ability to adapt and be flexible in a constantly changing environment that adjusts to meet organizational and community needs.
Demonstrated experience working as a member of a team.
Ability to drive throughout the region when needed in a reliable personal vehicle (mileage reimbursement available).
Valid CO Driver’s License and Vehicle Insurance.
Desired:
Previous experience in pediatric occupational therapy, particularly with early childhood populations, is highly desirable.
Experience with innovative occupational therapy practices.
Experience with program development.
Knowledge of embedded models of early intervention support
An affinity for a non-profit, community-based work environment
The ability to speak, read, and write in a second language (Spanish or Arabic preferred).
JOB BENEFITS
NoCo Kids Thrive offers a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, paid holidays, health, vision, and dental, and retirement benefits. For more information on our benefits package, click here. As 501c3, NoCo Kids Thrive is currently an eligible employer for public service loan forgiveness. See more information here.
NoCo Kids Thrive enhances diversity through inclusion of individuals reflective of characteristics including, and not limited to, race, ethnicity, age, culture, different ideas and perspectives, disability, first generation status, familial status, gender identity and expression, geographic background, marital status, national origin, religious and spiritual beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status. Discrimination based on physical traits that are associated with a person's race or ethnicity, including hair texture, type, style, and headwear, is prohibited in the State of Colorado by the Crown Act of 2020.