Employment Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employment

It is the policy of The Otto Specht School to provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement to qualified individuals with regard to all terms and conditions of employment. OSS complies with local, state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, disability, veteran status, age, or any other status protected by local, state or federal law.

The Otto Specht School is seeking a Full Time Kindergarten/First Grade Lead Teacher.

The Otto Specht School is an independent special needs Waldorf school committed to providing a supportive and inclusive educational environment for students with diverse learning needs. We focus on personalized learning, fostering independence, and empowering students to reach their full potential. Beyond the four walls of our classrooms, our curriculum comes to life on the farm and in the forests that make up our large community campus. Our students come to us with a range of learning abilities, eager to meet and engage with the world.

The kindergarten and 1st grade class is a small group of 3 students who bring so much to our small school. While 2 are kindergarteners and one is a first grader, they are being held as one group together with the first grader having adapted Main Lessons in short periods. The teacher will be leaving after the winter holidays due to a family relocation. We are hoping the right candidate could begin sometime in the fall in order to help the transition be as seamless as possible for these wonderful students.

Our ideal candidate will be able to teach a blended learning model of Waldorf education combined with special education interventions. The Kindergarten/1st Grade Lead Teacher must be able to flow in and out of indoor and outdoor spaces, be open to innovative curriculum and pedagogy, embrace a growth mindset, be receptive to feedback, and enjoy working collaboratively with other faculty, therapists, and administrators to create an educational environment that is aligned with the school’s mission and program goals.

Primary Responsibilities:

Creating and delivering developmentally appropriate lesson plans based upon Rudolf Steiner’s indications (Waldorf Curriculum) and current knowledge of child development.
Tailoring the lessons to meet the unique needs of the students.
Continuing to develop a deep understanding of each student’s developmental and learning challenges
Working to understand and support each students pathway to learning
Communicating with other faculty, administration, and staff about student needs and progress including team meetings
Attending weekly faculty meetings
Attending Professional Development trainings and seminars
Communicating with parents, including weekly updates
Writing student reports

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree plus certificate or MEd in Waldorf Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education
Experience teaching special needs students
Familiarity with relevant developmental disorders and learning disabilities including but not limited to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pathological Demand Avoidance Disorder, ADHD, etc.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Open to colleagueship and the development of strong, collaborative professional relationships
Fundamental belief that all students can achieve.

Interested applicants should submit resume, three references, and a brief biography to Chela Crane at: ccrane@ottospecht.org

Salary commensurate with experience. Full time employees are entitled to health benefits, and are 403(b) eligible. Otto Specht School operates as part of the Threefold Educational Foundation and school and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Capital Campaign Director:
Threefold Educational Foundation and Otto Specht School

About Otto Specht School

The Otto Specht School (OSS) is a private, independent school located in Chestnut Ridge, New York. Serving students from grades 1 through 12, the school offers an innovative and individualized Waldorf-based curriculum that supports the educational and developmental needs of children with learning differences. We nurture each student’s unique strengths, foster social-emotional growth, and prepare them to contribute meaningfully to the world. We are part of the larger Threefold Educational Foundation (TEF), a vibrant community of individuals and organizations committed to furthering forward-thinking practices in education, agriculture, spirituality, social relationships, and the arts.

Job Summary

The TEF and OSS seeks a dynamic and strategic Capital Campaign Director to lead and execute a multi-year capital campaign in support of the school’s expansion and development goals, beginning with the building of a home for the school which currently operates out of rented spaces throughout the greater campus. This individual will work closely with school and foundation leadership, board members, staff, and volunteers to design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy. The ideal candidate will bring proven experience in capital campaigns, major gifts, and donor engagement, and possess a deep passion for education and community development.

Responsibilities

Develop, manage, and execute a multi-year capital campaign strategy to meet the school’s financial goals
Partner with school leadership and the board to articulate campaign goals, case for support, and donor recognition plans.
Cultivate and solicit major gifts from individuals, foundations, and businesses; grow and manage a portfolio of high-level prospects and donors.
Oversee campaign materials, including brochures, proposals, newsletters, and digital content.
Organize and support campaign committees, training and guiding volunteers and board members in their fundraising roles.
Plan and execute campaign-related events, donor meetings, and recognition opportunities.
Track campaign progress through reports and CRM tools; ensure timely donor stewardship and acknowledgment.
Engage the broader community in campaign efforts to foster long-term philanthropic support for the school.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or fundraising certification preferred.
Minimum 5 years of experience in fundraising, with at least 3 years focused on capital campaigns and major gifts.
Demonstrated success in managing a multi-million-dollar campaign from planning through completion.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong public speaking and presentation abilities.
Proven ability to build relationships with donors, volunteers, and community leaders.
Self-starter with strong project management, organizational, and leadership skills.
Familiarity with Waldorf education or the Camphill movement is a plus.
Proficient in Raiser’s Edge and Google Suite.

Location

Minimum of 3 days per week onsite
Up to 2 days can be remote/flexible location

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position; benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, matching 403b retirement plan, and tuition support to Threefold institutional schools for children, as well as the opportunity to apply for housing on the Threefold campus. Salary commensurate with experience.

How To Apply

Please email a cover letter including references and resume to hr@threefold.org.

Speech and Language Pathologist: Part Time

The Otto Specht School is a small, community based Waldorf elementary and high school located in Chestnut Ridge, New York. We serve a very diverse population of students with learning challenges, sensory dysregulation, and/or developmental delays. Our students engage in experiential learning, in and beyond the classroom. Our campus includes a biodynamic farm with dairy cows, horses, and more, and our programming includes many movement based activities, practical and fine arts, vocational and life skills. We work with the Waldorf curriculum using many adaptive methods to facilitate meaningful learning for each student.

POSITION: Speech Language Pathologist

REPORTS TO: Director and Pedagogical Administrator

Provide quality school-based speech and language / communication therapy services, which includes but is not limited to assessment/evaluation, intervention/treatment, Student Learning Plan/ IEP planning, implementation and district meetings, related documentation, and communication between teachers, one on one staff, related service providers, and families. 3 - 4 days/week working with students in the classroom, individually, and in related programming. Candidates must be willing to work within a team based therapeutic-educational approach.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have the following:

● Successful completion of master's degree or higher from a university accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). and completion all fieldwork requirements.

● NY State licensure in Speech and Language Pathology

● 1-2 years of experience as a SLP in school settings or other pediatric setting.

● Current TSSH/TSSLD certification.

● Demonstrate an advanced understanding of strategies for students with autism, developmental delays, specific learning disabilities, and behavior disorders. FEEDING THERAPY A PLUS!

● Be a strong classroom support.

● Demonstrate strong skills in partnering with faculty

● Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of colleagues, parents, families, and community members.

● Be committed to meeting the needs of a diverse student population.

● Be committed to their own learning.

● Have excellent time-management skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.

● Adhere to a high level of professional and ethical standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

● Maintaining knowledge of Speech and Language Pathology and communication therapy theories, models of practice, principles, and evidence based practice

● Ability to articulate the role of the SLP in the evaluation, intervention planning, and intervention process.

● Ability to recognize performance deficits in the areas of student linguistic abilities, interactive skills, processing skills, play, community integration, and pragmatic communication

● Skill in gathering screening and evaluation data

● Effective oral and written communication

● Ability to maintain safe environments, equipment, and materials

● Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records and progress notes

● Willingness to be educated and trained for specific program implementation

● Initiative, strong work ethic, and the ability to positively interact and collaborate in a team environment

● Complete thorough evaluation in all areas of communication.

● Educate and demonstrate (verbally or written) therapy techniques to faculty, staff, and parents that can be incorporated at school and in the home

● Develop and implement Student Learning Plan /IEP to meet the individual needs of the child.

● Attend staff meetings, in-service training, and continuing education courses as appropriate or required.

● Attend training in foundations of Waldorf Education

● Assess and make recommendations regarding the use of adaptive equipment or technology as needed and provide written justification.

● Responsible for timely documentation of evaluation results, progress reports, discharge reports, daily notes, service tracker notes.

● Maintain professional clinical competency by attending certified CEU

in-services and workshops.

● Other duties as assigned.

Salary

Salary or hourly rate commensurate with experience.

How To Apply

Please email a cover letter including references and resume to ccrane@ottospecht.org

The Otto Specht School Seeks Student Support Staff (Paraprofessional)

The Otto Specht School is a small, community based Waldorf kindergarten, elementary, and high school located in Chestnut Ridge, New York. We serve a very diverse population of students with learning challenges, sensory dysregulation, and/or developmental delays. Our students engage in experiential learning, in and beyond the classroom. Our campus includes a biodynamic farm with dairy cows, horses, and more, and our programming includes many movement based activities, practical and fine arts, vocational and life skills. We work with the Waldorf curriculum using many adaptive methods to facilitate meaningful learning for each student.

Our paraprofessional staff works with the individual needs of each student to help them access all of our campus resources and the content of our curriculum. They also provide support with sensory regulation and ensure the safety of the student for which they are responsible.

Specific duties may include:

Walking student safely throughout campus
Collaboratively creating and implementing social-emotional and executive functioning goals
Monitoring student’s health
Monitoring student’s sensory load
Assisting in academic tasks
Assisting in physical tasks and projects
Assisting in activities of daily living
Helping engage student in classes