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

About the role

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) role at KIPP NorCal 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Captures and documents student performance and therapy outcomes to provide accurate progress data for supervising Occupational Therapists and IEP reporting.
• Coordinates therapy schedules, materials, and equipment to ensure services are delivered consistently across assigned school sites.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Associate's degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
• Completion of all required clinical fieldwork.
• Current California Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) certification, maintained throughout employment.
• Knowledge/skills 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.

Qualifications

• Bilingual skills are valued.

Skills

• 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.

Benefits

KIPP Northern California offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision coverage, paid time off, retirement plan with employer contribution, and commuter benefits. The hourly rate for this position varies by location:

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

Pay

The hourly rate for this position is: Stockton: $29.81 - $35.40 / hr Bay Area: $33.65 - $39.97 / hr

Schedule

Frequent school travel. Driver’s License required. Must have a valid CA driver’s license and access to reliable transportation for work-related travel.