KIPP Public Schools Northern California·Redwood City, California
Implement occupational therapy interventions and IEP goals for students with disabilities across multiple school sites. Collaborate with teachers and supervising Occupational Therapists to provide classroom accommodations and maintain accurate clinical documentation.
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 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.
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 as well as a comprehensive benefits package.
include medical, dental, vision coverage, paid time off, retirement plan with employer contribution and commuter benefits.
Please submit a cover letter and resume by clicking apply on this page.
Requires an Associate's degree from an accredited OTA program and a current California COTA certification. Candidates should have at least two years of experience, preferably in pediatric or school-based settings.
Market context
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant roles in California often draw steady demand in school-based and pediatric settings, especially when employers need candidates who can support multiple sites such as San Lorenzo and Redwood City. Competition tends to favor applicants with an accredited OTA associate degree, current California COTA certification, and prior experience in pediatric or school-based care. If you are considering applying, review whether your experience aligns with those settings and note that the job requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original posting, saving you research time.
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