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

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) 

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 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.

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