KIPP Public Schools Northern California·San Jose, California
Provide in-person occupational therapy services across five KIPP schools, including screening, evaluating, and writing reports for students. Participate in IEP team meetings and collaborate with special education teams to facilitate educational outcomes.
Special Education: Reports to
Schedule: School year
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 choose—college, career, and beyond—so 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 José, 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.
The Occupational Therapist partners with school teams to ensure students receive occupational therapy services that improve access to instruction, increase independence, and support meaningful participation in the educational environment. This role leads occupational therapy services across a portfolio of schools, collaborating with educators, families, and multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized supports that enable students to achieve their educational goals.
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.
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
The following details describe how this role is structured and what to expect day-to-day.
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
Ability to navigate office and school campuses, use technology, and occasionally lift or carry materials up to 20 lbs.
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.
KIPP Northern California is dedicated to you and your family's well-being. We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, retirement benefits, and commuter benefits.
Please submit a cover letter and resume by clicking apply on this page.
Requires a degree in Occupational Therapy, NBCOT certification, and a valid California license to practice. Preference is given to candidates with at least three years of experience, including one year in a school setting.
Market context
Occupational therapist roles in California schools and related settings are typically in steady demand, especially for candidates who can support student services and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. This posting is competitive because it includes a signing bonus and prefers experience in a school setting, while requiring an OT degree, NBCOT certification, and a valid California license. If you are considering applying, confirm your licensure status and highlight school-based experience; the job requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original description, which can save time when comparing roles.
Instructional Aide - Middle School (26-27)
Assistant Coach - Cross Country
Head Coach - Girls Volleyball