Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - East Palo Alto + Redwood City

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Department - Special Education - Reports to - Associate Director of Special Education

Location - Peninsula (East Palo Alto + Redwood City) - Type - Full-time

FLSA Status - Non-Exempt - Schedule - School year

About KIPP NorCal

We are a thriving nonprofit network of 23 free, public charter schools open to all students. At KIPP, we believe all children should grow up free to create the future they want for themselves and that schools can and should be a critical factor in making that vision a reality. Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choosecollege, career, and beyondso they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Our student community consists of over 7,100 elementary, middle, and high school students in East Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco, San Lorenzo, San Jos, Redwood City, and Stockton. 80% qualify for free or reduced price lunch, 27% are multilingual learners, and 17% receive special education services. We strive to cultivate a representative team of teachers and leaders that reflect our students' diversity.

Role Overview

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) partners with KIPP NorCal's team of Registered Occupational Therapists to deliver high-quality occupational therapy services that enable students with disabilities to access instruction and make progress toward their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. This role implements therapy plans, supports classroom participation, and maintains accurate documentation while working under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist across multiple school sites.

In this role, you own projects end-to-end with real autonomy over how the work gets done. You make day-to-day execution decisions and bring your manager in when something would change the project's direction or require resources beyond your scope.

Core Responsibilities

Occupational Therapy Service Delivery

• Implements occupational therapy interventions outlined in student IEPs so students make meaningful progress toward functional, academic, and developmental goals.
• Executes individual and small-group therapy sessions under the supervision of the Registered Occupational Therapist to improve fine motor, visual motor, sensory processing, and activities of daily living skills.
• Coordinates therapy schedules, materials, and equipment to ensure services are delivered consistently across assigned school sites.

Student Progress Monitoring

• Documents student performance and therapy outcomes to provide accurate progress data for supervising Occupational Therapists and IEP reporting.
• Tracks student participation, progress, and response to interventions to support ongoing instructional and therapeutic decision-making.
• Implements approved behavior support strategies that promote student engagement and successful participation during therapy activities.

Classroom Collaboration

• Partners with teachers and school staff to implement therapist-approved accommodations, adaptive equipment, and classroom strategies that increase student access to instruction.
• Develops therapy materials and adapts instructional resources identified by the supervising Occupational Therapist to support student success in classroom environments.
• Communicates student progress and implementation updates with school teams while maintaining confidentiality and professional standards.

Compliance and Clinical Support

• Maintains accurate therapy records and student documentation that meet district, state, and organizational compliance requirements.
• Supports occupational therapy screenings and assessments by preparing materials, collecting data, and assisting with administration under the direction of the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Adheres to California Occupational Therapy regulations and works within the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant scope of practice at all times.
• Other duties as assigned.

KIPP Leadership Competencies

These competencies describe the core leadership behaviors expected at this level they guide how we hire, develop, and grow our people at KIPP NorCal.

• Lead Self: You seek diverse feedback, adjust your approach based on your impact on others, and continuously develop your expertise. You interrupt bias, advocate for equitable practices, and share your knowledge with peers.
• Lead People: You build authentic relationships across lines of difference and foster inclusion and psychological safety. You communicate the rationale for change, build buy-in, and surface resistance early. You partner across teams, identify coordination gaps, and resolve them proactively.
• Lead Results: You translate strategy into project plans and manage competing priorities without losing sight of outcomes. You use data to analyze problems and inform decisions, deliver on time and scope, and manage up effectively flagging risks early and bringing options when facing obstacles.

Knowledge & Skills

Required Qualifications

Experience - Two or more years of experience as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, preferably in pediatric or school-based settings. Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support students with disabilities.

Education - Associate's degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program. Completion of all required clinical fieldwork.

Knowledge/skills - Current California Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) certification, maintained throughout employment. Knowledge of child development and the ability to distinguish typical and atypical developmental patterns. Ability to implement occupational therapy interventions under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist while maintaining compliance with California scope of practice requirements. Strong organization, documentation, and time management skills. Ability to build positive relationships with students, families, and multidisciplinary teams across diverse communities. Proficiency using technology to document services, maintain student records, and manage schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• School-based occupational therapy experience.
• Experience supporting students with sensory processing, fine motor, visual motor, and activities of daily living needs.
• Bilingual skills are valued.

Role Details

The following details describe how this role is structured and what to expect day-to-day.

Work Setting - School-facing

Travel Expectation - Frequent school travel

Driver's License - Must have a valid CA driver's license and access to reliable transportation for work-related travel

Physical Demands - Ability to navigate office and school campuses, use technology, and occasionally lift or carry materials up to 20 lbs.

Mental Demands - Ability to manage competing priorities, concentrate for sustained periods, analyze complex information, and make decisions under normal work pressures.

Environmental - Primarily school-based environment, with regular travel between school sites

KIPP Northern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Compensation

KIPP Northern California is dedicated to you and your family's well-being! We offer a competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision coverage, paid time off, retirement plan with employer contribution and commuter benefits.

We benchmark annually against comparably-sized non-profit organizations in the regions where we operate, to offer competitive salaries. The hourly rate for this position is:

• Stockton: $29.81 - $35.40 / hr
• Bay Area: $33.65 - $39.97 / hr

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume by clicking apply on this page.

KIPP Public Schools Northern California