Occupational Therapy - Human Factors Specialist (Volunteer)

Occupational Therapy – Human Factors Specialist (Volunteer)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Education, Innovation & Accessibility

Location: New York City and/or Remote via Google Meet

Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City nonprofit supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, literacy development, social-emotional learning, creative arts, technology innovation, and accessible program design, MAP creates safe, empowering spaces where young people can grow and thrive.

MAP integrates human-centered design, accessibility, and trauma-informed practice across all educational programs. The Occupational Therapy – Human Factors Specialist helps ensure MAP’s programs, tools, learning environments, and youth-facing innovations are developmentally appropriate, functional, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of diverse learners.

About the Role

We are seeking an Occupational Therapy – Human Factors Specialist to support the design, evaluation, and continuous improvement of MAP’s educational, digital, and creative programs. This role blends occupational therapy expertise with human factors, usability, child development, accessibility, and trauma-informed design.

The ideal candidate is deeply committed to equity, youth wellbeing, and shaping environments that reduce barriers and maximize engagement for all learners—including students experiencing instability, trauma, or sensory and cognitive challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess MAP programs, learning activities, and digital tools for accessibility, usability, and developmental appropriateness.
• Provide guidance on sensory, cognitive, fine-motor, and environmental considerations that impact learning and participation.
• Collaborate with instructional designers, educators, and program leaders to optimize user experience for children ages 5–18.
• Identify barriers to engagement and recommend trauma-informed, culturally responsive solutions.
• Support the design of materials, activities, and program environments that promote regulation, focus, and emotional safety.
• Consult with PromisePlay and MAP Roots teams on human factors related to app design, games, storytelling tools, and enrichment activities.
• Contribute to accessibility and inclusion guidelines for MAP program staff and volunteers.
• Participate in evaluation, surveys, and feedback processes to ensure program improvements are grounded in child development and OT principles.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by integrating feedback and refining recommendations over time.

Qualifications

• Degree in Occupational Therapy (Master’s or Doctorate preferred).
• Experience with pediatrics, school-based OT, developmental disabilities, or youth mental health.
• Familiarity with human factors, usability, accessibility, or ergonomics.
• Understanding of trauma-informed practice, sensory integration, and child development.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to translate clinical insights into practical recommendations for educators, designers, and program leaders.

Bonus Skills (Not Required)

• Experience with UX, UI, or human-centered design.
• Experience working in shelters, community centers, or educational nonprofits.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred).

Commitment

• Volunteer role, 5–10 hours per week .
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred.
• Hybrid: New York City and/or remote via Google Meet .

What You’ll Gain

• Opportunities to shape youth programs using human factors and occupational therapy principles.
• Experience applying OT expertise across education, technology, innovation, and community programs.
• Collaboration with instructional designers, educators, clinicians, and youth development specialists.
• Leadership experience influencing program quality and accessibility at an organizational level.
• Letters of recommendation and professional references.
• The fulfillment of making MAP’s programs safer, more inclusive, and more engaging for all youth.

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.

For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at View email address on click.appcast.io

Design with care — help create environments, tools, and experiences that support every young learner’s potential.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, our volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals who are based in the United States. This limitation is due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements associated with our work. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.