Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - COTA (San Diego County)

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - COTA

San Diego County at Element Education Community Montessori & Dimensions Collaborative Charter Schools

San Diego County

Share on X Print Application Deadline: Until Filled Date Posted: 322026 Contact: Kiran Sihota Phone: 760-743-7880 Number of Openings: 1 Salary: $28.80 - $35.20 Per Hour Addl Salary Info: Full-Time Benefits Medical Dental Vision FSA plans Supplemental Insurance PTO Length of Work Year: 10 months Employment Type: Full and Part Time

Job Summary

Seeking resourceful, creative, and driven candidates interested in joining a team dedicated to developing innovative practices, efficient systems, and strong relationships while cultivating a generation of life-long and self-determined learners. Come join our growing team.

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant is a classified non-exempt position with Element Education Inc. (EEI). Under the direct supervision of a licensed and/or registered Occupational Therapist (OT) and the SPED Program Manager, the COTA is primarily responsible for assisting in supplementing, enhancing, and extending occupational therapy services by completing a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Activities designed by the OT to assist with assessment, intervention, treatment, and activities to enhance motor, sensory, self-regulatory, feeding, and other functional abilities.

Essential Elements

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is a classified non-exempt position with Element Education. Under the direct supervision of a licensed and/or registered Occupational Therapist (OT) and the SPED Program Manager, the COTA is primarily responsible for assisting in supplementing, enhancing, and extending occupational therapy services by completing a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Activities designed by the OT to assist with assessment, intervention, treatment, and activities to enhance motor, sensory, self-regulatory, feeding, and other functional abilities.

Support Student Learning

• Assist with screenings, assessments, and occupational therapy services
• Follow and implement documented IEP plans and protocols and treatment plans established by the OT, including exercises and activities
• Document student progress toward meeting established objectives and report information to the OT
• Assist the OT during assessments with formal documentation
• Prepare therapy materials and/or equipment for use in the classroom and therapy activities
• Adapt or modify instructional materials and/or equipment as determined by student needs and abilities for teacher use in the classroom
• Assist in maintaining student records, tallying data, preparing charts, records, graphs, and reports
• Assist in organizing classroom activities, such as displaying educational materials, arranging furniture to facilitate instructional requirements, and creating an orderly and clean learning environment
• Implement behavior management programs for students as designed by certified staff, observe and report significant student behavior, behavioral patterns, and/or other problems to the OT
• Modify and differentiate lessons to meet students needs and progress with guidance from the OT
• Work with students individually and in small groups
• Collaborate with the student services team

Accountability and General Administration

• Prepare materials and perform clerical duties
• Return all correspondence, including phone calls and emails, within a reasonable period of time
• Be accessible during business hours and respond to administrative needs and inquiries in a timely manner
• Attend and participate in all required meetings, trainings, and school functions
• Promote and participate in creative exchange of ideas
• Observe confidentiality
• Develop positive relationships with parents and the general public associated with the organization
• Communicate and support the schools mission, policies, and procedures
• Represent Element Education and its programs in a positive and professional manner
• Assist with maintaining a positive and effective work environment
• Treat all staff with respect, provide opportunities for participation in decision-making, and be responsive to the human needs of staff members

Professional and Organizational Development

• Seek innovative approaches to self-directed learning and formal training
• Practice reflective observation regularly
• Maintain a growth mindset
• In collaboration with the Director of Student Services, SPED Program Manager, and Occupational Therapist, plan for own career growth and ongoing professional development
• Understand and contribute to the organizations vision, growth, and development

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of occupational therapy equipment, materials, procedures, and methodologies
• Child development, learning patterns in children, physical and mental disorders that can affect pediatric occupational performance, student behavior management techniques and strategies, a variety of screening tools, protocols, and forms of documentation
• Ability to maintain records and document student progress as directed by supervisor
• Maintain confidentiality regarding parents, families, and staff
• Effectively implement therapy objectives
• Receive instruction and training in relevant areas
• Actively engage in activities with students, including play, bend, kneel, lift, and sit at a childs level
• Remotely and/or virtually perform duties and attend meetings as needed
• Exercise emotional maturity in communicating effectively and tactfully with students, parents, and colleagues, including ability to effectively deal with attitudes and behaviors of students
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing, using appropriate language, tone, and English usage
• Establish and maintain effective relationships, being approachable and professional
• Work independently with minimal supervision, being self-motivated and well-organized
• Think strategically and independently, accepting responsibility and constructive criticism
• Be flexible and adaptable to changing environments and schedules
• Strong communication skills, empathy, patience, and a passion for helping individuals with occupational therapy challenges
• Commitment to student learning and success for all students
• Familiarity and commitment to the mission and educational philosophy of Element Education
• Demonstrated ability of time management, including ability to work under pressure, prioritize multi-task, and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated good judgement
• Demonstrated willingness to help others and foster a cooperative and positive working environment

Requirements

• Valid and current Occupational Therapy Assistant certification from the California Board of Occupational Therapy
• Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Previous experience working in a pediatric or education setting as a COTA is strongly preferred

Upon Hire

• Offer:
• First Aid
• CPRA
• ED
• Proof that employee is free of active tuberculosis
• Successful background clearance

Salary: As per Administrative Salary Scale

Benefits:

• Supplemental Insurance
• 403b457b retirement programs
• Accrued PTO

Work Schedule: 10 months

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

May require travel throughout San Diego County.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Read, speak, see, and hear well enough to communicate by telephone, electronically, in person, and in the classroom
• Write, file, type, and operate a computer, telephone, general office equipment, and classroom equipment
• Extend arm with upper extremities to write on a whiteboard, which may require neck rotation to look back at the class
• Stand and walk throughout the classroom while maneuvering in tight spaces
• Frequently kneel, stoop, or crouch when working with classroom equipment, helping students, etc.
• A moderate amount of work is completed on electronic, mobile, and desktop devices
• Occasionally sit for an extended period of time, which is done at a desk with forward bending from the waist, leaning on forearms, and looking down, which requires neck flexion
• Grasp and manipulate pens, markers, scissors, staplers, etc., occasionally or frequently depending on the day
• Occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or move materials and classroom furniture to manipulate the classroom layout and be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs
• Deal with irate members of the public and stressful situations
• Have reliable transportation and be able to attend meetings at various Element Education regions

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position works in a variety of settings, including but not limited to classrooms, outdoors, home office, Learning Centers, and the Administrative Office, and may experience heat or cold extremes, as well as fumes, odors, and dust. Noise level is moderate to loud.

Element Education is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Requirements

• Location: San Diego County
• Work Schedule: Full-Time or Part-Time
• Travel required.

Upon Hire Offer

• AHA approved First Aid
• CPRA
• ED
• Proof that employee is free of active tuberculosis
• Successful background clearance

Certification

• Letter of Introduction
• Letters of Reference (3 letters)
• Not required for internal applicants
• Resume

Comments and Other Information

Location: San Diego County Work Schedule: Full-Time or Part-Time Full-Time Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, Supplemental Insurance, Matching 403b program, Accrued PTO Part-Time Benefits: Supplemental Insurance, Accrued PTO Travel required.

Seeking resourceful, creative, and driven candidates interested in joining a team dedicated to developing innovative practices, efficient systems, and strong relationships while cultivating a generation of life-long and self-determined learners.

To inspire each childs natural desire to learn by offering choice, flexibility, and learning standards based on learning styles and the developmental stages of the learner. Element Education is a non-profit corporation which oversees two publicly funded charter schools. Our mission is to promote a culture of education which empowers learners to find and develop their passion and to inspire the natural desire to explore and learn through choice and flexibility.

We refer to students learning styles