About Progressive Life Centre
Progressive Life Centre (PLC) is a community-based organization dedicated to empowering individuals with autism and developmental disabilities through innovative programs that promote independence, wellness, employment, and community inclusion. PLC operates and develops programs, employment training opportunities, and social enterprise initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for individuals to build skills, contribute to their communities, and achieve their personal goals.
Progressive Steps Training and Consultation Inc. (PSTC) is a related clinical service organization that provides behaviour analytic and allied health services to children, youth, adults, and families. The Occupational Therapist may support PLC programs and may also provide OT assessments and intervention sessions for PSTC clients, depending on service needs, scheduling, funding, and scope of practice.
Position Summary
The Occupational Therapist provides assessment, consultation, accommodation planning, intervention, and capacity-building support across PLC programs and services. This role will support individuals with autism and developmental disabilities to increase participation, independence, safety, functional skill development, employment readiness, and community inclusion.
The PLC Cleaning Crew employment training initiative will be one component of this role, but it will not be the Occupational Therapist’s sole or primary responsibility. Within the Cleaning Crew project, the Occupational Therapist may support vocational assessments, functional workplace assessments, sensory/environmental assessments, accommodation planning, ergonomic recommendations, adaptive equipment recommendations, and consultation to project staff.
The Occupational Therapist may also support other PLC programs and services, including life skills, independent living, wellness, employment readiness, social enterprise initiatives, and community participation programs. In addition, the Occupational Therapist may provide OT assessments and direct OT sessions for PSTC clients when clinically appropriate.
Key Responsibilities
Occupational Therapy Assessment and Intervention
- Complete occupational therapy assessments related to functional skills, daily living, sensory processing, motor skills, participation, safety, independence, and environmental fit.
- Develop individualized OT recommendations, intervention plans, accommodation strategies, and practical support plans.
- Provide direct OT sessions and consultation to support skill development, independence, regulation, participation, and quality of life.
- Support clients and participants in developing functional routines, self-care, community participation, leisure, employment readiness, and independent living skills.
- Monitor progress and update recommendations based on client/participant needs, goals, and response to intervention.
PLC Program and Employment Support
- Consult with PLC staff to identify participant support needs across programs, including Living Well, employment training, social enterprise initiatives, life skills programming, and community-based activities.
- Support program planning by recommending environmental modifications, adaptive strategies, visual supports, task modifications, pacing strategies, and accessibility supports.
- Collaborate with staff to promote safety, participation, independence, and meaningful engagement across PLC programs.
- Provide staff coaching and consultation related to occupational therapy recommendations, accommodations, sensory/environmental supports, and functional skill development.
- Support continuous improvement of PLC programs by identifying barriers to participation and recommending practical solutions.
PLC Cleaning Crew and Workplace Accommodation Support
- Complete vocational, functional workplace, sensory/environmental, and accommodation-related assessments for participants involved in PLC Cleaning Crew or other employment training initiatives.
- Recommend individualized workplace accommodations, ergonomic supports, adaptive equipment, task modifications, and environmental changes.
- Consult with the Job Coach, Program Supervisor, Employment & Business Development Coordinator, and project team regarding participant readiness, support needs, safety, and worksite fit.
- Support development of accessible task routines, cleaning checklists, work systems, and natural workplace supports.
- Participate in internal worksite reviews, external site readiness activities, and problem-solving related to participant success and retention.
PSTC Client Services
- Provide OT assessments, consultation, and direct OT sessions for PSTC clients as assigned and within scope of practice.
- Collaborate with PSTC clinical teams to support integrated service planning, goal development, family consultation, and intervention planning.
- Prepare clear assessment summaries, clinical recommendations, session notes, and documentation consistent with professional and organizational standards.
- Communicate with families, caregivers, staff, and other professionals in a collaborative, respectful, and family-centred manner.
Documentation, Collaboration, and Professional Practice
- Maintain accurate, timely, and professional documentation, including assessments, recommendations, session notes, consultation notes, progress updates, and reports.
- Participate in team meetings, case reviews, program planning meetings, and quality improvement activities as needed.
- Work collaboratively with PLC and PSTC staff, participants, families, caregivers, community partners, employers, and external professionals.
- Follow all applicable professional standards, privacy requirements, consent procedures, health and safety expectations, and organizational policies.
- Maintain registration and good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario.
Qualifications
- Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
- Registered and in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario.
- Professional liability insurance and ability to meet all regulatory requirements for practice in Ontario.
- Experience completing OT assessments, developing recommendations, and providing intervention for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, complex needs, or related populations.
- Strong clinical reasoning, documentation, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- Valid Ontario Driver’s Licence and access to reliable transportation.
- Ability to obtain a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting adults with autism and developmental disabilities in community, employment, day program, or independent living settings.
- Experience with vocational assessment, workplace accommodations, supported employment, job readiness, or community-based employment training.
- Experience with sensory processing, regulation supports, executive functioning, adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, and functional skill development.
- Experience working with children, youth, adults, and families in clinical or community-based settings.
- Experience collaborating with behaviour analysts, developmental service workers, educators, job coaches, families, employers, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Knowledge of nonprofit, social service, developmental service, or allied health service delivery systems.
What Success Looks Like
- PLC participants receive practical, individualized OT recommendations that improve participation, safety, independence, and quality of life.
- PLC programs are strengthened through accessible routines, environmental supports, accommodation planning, and staff consultation.
- Cleaning Crew participants receive appropriate vocational assessment and workplace accommodations to support readiness, safety, and success.
- PSTC clients receive high-quality OT assessments and sessions that support meaningful functional goals.
- Staff, families, and participants experience OT services as collaborative, practical, respectful, and aligned with real-life needs.
Why Join PLC?
This role is an opportunity to help build inclusive, practical, and meaningful supports for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across clinical, community, life skills, wellness, and employment settings. The Occupational Therapist will be part of a collaborative, mission-driven team focused on independence, dignity, participation, and community inclusion while contributing to the growth of innovative PLC and PSTC services.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: Commensurate with experience.
- Schedule: Part-time, hybrid work environment (Ajax-based office).
- Opportunities: Professional growth and meaningful impact in a dynamic nonprofit setting.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your experience and why you’re passionate about working with Progressive Life Centre.
Pay: From $35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Experience:
- Working with individuals with developmental disabilities: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- college of occupational therapists of ontario license (required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ajax, ON L1S 2E9
