Occupational Therapist (San Diego County) at Element Education: Community Montessori & Dimensions Collaborative Charter Schools (San Diego County)
Job Summary
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 Occupational Therapist is a classified, exempt position with Element Education, Inc. (EEI). The Occupational Therapist shall provide educationally related occupational therapy services to students with various disabilities in accordance with the student’s Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). The Occupational Therapist will work in collaboration with and report to the Director of Student Services and SPED Program Manager. The Occupational Therapist is expected to handle a variety of assignments that relate to individual students’ specialized needs and related disabilities. They are expected to work independently with the students on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting. The occupational therapist has a broad scope of evaluative tasks in the development, planning, and assessment of therapy programs.
Job Description / Essential Elements:
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Occupational Therapist
The Occupational Therapist is a classified, exempt position with Element Education, Inc. (EEI). The Occupational Therapist shall provide educationally related occupational therapy services to students with various disabilities in accordance with the student’s Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). The Occupational Therapist will work in collaboration with and report to the Director of Student Services and SPED Program Manager.
The Occupational Therapist is expected to handle a variety of assignments that relate to individual students’ specialized needs and related disabilities. They are expected to work independently with the students on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting. The occupational therapist has a broad scope of evaluative tasks in the development, planning, and assessment of therapy programs.
Essential Functions
Support Student Learning
- Develop, plan, implement, and update an occupational therapy program for students with various disabilities.
- Determine current levels of motor development, areas of educational concern, and the developmental areas of need
- Assesses students’ abilities and performance in activities that are related to the curriculum and applicable to activities of daily living.
- Identifies and documents students’ educational/developmental/functional needs with the IEP team
- Write assessment reports
- Assess individual students and develop appropriate intervention which includes goals/objectives of IEP team.
- Develops, coordinates and implements individual occupational therapy intervention plans that support the IEP goals and objectives.
- Designs, plans and executes group occupational therapy plans which support the specialized instructional setting.
- Assists with the development of students’ transition plans, programs and goals.
- Participate in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting to develop/update annual goals and short-term objectives
- Recommend and utilize appropriate materials and/or specialized equipment to facilitate implementation of individual educational programs related to motor skills development.
- Records assessments, actions taken and recommendations made regarding areas of service as required by law, board policies, administrative regulations and the Special Education Department.
- Schedules, plans and provides occupational therapy programs for students with physical limitations, orthopedic impairments and/or other areas of concern for the purpose of aiding the students’ physical rehabilitation in accordance with IEP goals.
- Recommends, designs and creates adaptive equipment.
- Trains and serves as a consultant to staff in areas such as sensory motor, sensory stimulation and body awareness, fine motor and gross motor skills and other areas within the therapist’s area of expertise.
- Demonstrate educational and developmental strategies to staff and families
- Explain and provide training on occupational therapy and rehabilitative procedures
- Provide consultation for classroom and home management of motor, sensory, perceptual and self-care programs.
- Demonstrates appropriate activities for students to program staff.
- Provides consultative services to parents, students, teachers and program staff.
- Responds to inquiries and concerns which arise from parents, students, teachers and staff.
Accountability and General Administration
- Maintain accurate records and files
- Maintain a neat and orderly work environment
- Support staff as needed
- Attend and participate in all required meetings, trainings, and school functions; Promote and participate in the creative exchange of ideas
- Observe confidentiality
- Return all correspondence, including phone calls and emails, in a timely manner; Be accessible during business hours and respond to administrative needs and inquiries
- Comply with the Organization’s Safety Plan
Public Relations
- Develop positive relationships with parents and the general public associated with the organization
- Communicate and support the Organization’s 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 Behavior and Development
- Attend staff and planning meetings and workshops
- Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
- In collaboration with Director of Student Services and the SPED Program Manager, plan for own career growth and ongoing professional development
- Observe confidentiality
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Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Child development (intellectual, sensory, and physical development), neuromuscular function/dysfunction, sensory motor integration, kinesiology, skeletal anatomy, and basic pathology related to orthopedic disabilities
- Individual and group occupational therapy techniques commonly used for students with special needs.
- Techniques used in the assessment and treatment of disabilities
- Educational and medical applications of adaptive equipment.
- Generally accepted standards of health and sanitation.
- Case management principles
- Record keeping practices and procedures
- Familiarity and commitment to the mission and educational philosophy of Element Education
- Ability to make accurate assessments of the developmental status and educational needs of students
- Ability to maintain records as directed by supervisor
- Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding parents, families, and staff
- Ability to remotely and/or virtually perform duties and attend meetings, as needed
- Ability to exercise emotional maturity in communicating with students, parents, and colleagues
- Demonstrate considerable knowledge of technology, Microsoft Office 365 and its’ applications, and DocuSign
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines
- Ability to present in front of small and large groups
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Use appropriate language, tone, and English usage
- Demonstrate good judgement
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships; be approachable and professional
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; be self-motivated and well-organized
- Ability to think strategically and independently
- Demonstrate willingness to help others and foster a cooperative and positive work environment
- Ability to accept responsibility and constructive criticism
- Ability to work collaboratively with various teams, groups of individuals, and families
Requirements
- A valid license by the California Board of Occupational Therapy
- Certification by the National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
- Registration with the American Occupational Therapy Association
- Previous work experience with children and working in a variety of settings
Upon Hire
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification
- Proof that employee is free of active tuberculosis (i.e. TB risk assessment, TB test, chest X-ray, etc.)
- Reliable vehicle and valid driver’s license.
Salary: $61,660 - $109,627 per year
Work Schedule: 10 months
FLSA Classification: Exempt
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 accommodation 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 stand, walk, and sit for an extended period of time. Sitting is done at a desk with forward bending from the waist, leaning on the forearms, and looking down which requires neck flexion. The employee is regularly required to read, speak, see, and hear well enough to communicate by telephone, electronically, and in person. Employee must also regularly be able to write, file, type and operate a computer, telephone, and general office equipment. It is necessary to grasp and manipulate pens, markers, scissors, staplers, etc., either occasionally or frequently, depending on the day. May occasionally have to climb up stairs, stoop, kneel, and/or lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Normal office working conditions within a collaborative environment.
Requirements / Qualifications
Location: San Diego County Work Schedule: Full-Time *Travel required. Requirements Upon Hire/Offer: - AHA approved First Aid/CPR/AED Certification - Proof that employee is free of active tuberculosis - Successful background clearance
- Certification
- Letter of Introduction
- Letter(s) of Reference (3 letters (Not required for internal applicants))
- Resume
Requirements / Qualifications
Location: San Diego County Work Schedule: Full-Time *Travel required. Requirements Upon Hire/Offer: - AHA approved First Aid/CPR/AED Certification - Proof that employee is free of active tuberculosis - Successful background clearance
- Certification
- Letter of Introduction
- Letter(s) of Reference (3 letters (Not required for internal applicants))
- Resume
Comments and Other Information
Location: San Diego County
Work Schedule: Full-Time
Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, Supplemental Insurance, Matching 403(b) program
*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 child's 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 (dispositions, modalities, interests, talents, and environment) as well as the developmental stages of learning when collaborating with the student, parents, and mentors in developing a personalized learning plan unique to each student. During their educational journey, students demonstrate mastery by making progress toward expertise in areas related to their educational goals, autonomy through choice and self-directed learning activities, and a sense of purpose by engaging in meaningful learning which contributes to something larger than themselves.
Reach your ELEMENT by helping children discover theirs!
www.myelement.org
Comments and Other Information
Location: San Diego County
Work Schedule: Full-Time
Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, Supplemental Insurance, Matching 403(b) program
*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 child's 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 (dispositions, modalities, interests, talents, and environment) as well as the developmental stages of learning when collaborating with the student, parents, and mentors in developing a personalized learning plan unique to each student. During their educational journey, students demonstrate mastery by making progress toward expertise in areas related to their educational goals, autonomy through choice and self-directed learning activities, and a sense of purpose by engaging in meaningful learning which contributes to something larger than themselves.
Reach your ELEMENT by helping children discover theirs!
www.myelement.org
Application Deadline
Until Filled
Date Posted
3/9/2026
Contact
Kiran Sihota
760-743-7880
760-743-7880
Number of Openings
1
Salary
Pay Range
$77,770 - $110,312 Annually
$77,770 - $110,312 Annually
Add'l Salary Info
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; FSA plans; Supplemental Insurance; PTO
Length of Work Year
10 months
Employment Type
Full Time