Occupational Therapist

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

$99K — $131K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy or related field; Master's or Doctorate is preferred.
  • At least one year of experience providing occupational therapy to children with disabilities, ideally in schools.
  • Valid NBCOT certification required for practice as an Occupational Therapist.
  • Licensed by the California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT).
  • Valid California Class C Driver License and insurance. First Aid and CPR certifications also needed.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct assessments to determine eligibility for occupational therapy.
  • Provide direct occupational therapy services to students with disabilities.
  • Develop and implement individual and group therapy intervention plans in line with IEPs.
  • Assist in crafting students' transition plans and goals.
  • Record assessments and actions taken according to regulations and policies.
  • Train and support staff on occupational therapy techniques and tools.
  • Act as a liaison between stakeholders including parents, teachers, and other organizations.

Benefits

  • Up to 16 paid holidays per year depending on work months.
  • Prorated paid vacation based on years of service, starting at one day per month in the first five years.
  • District contributes up to $12,900 annually toward health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Eligibility for the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) with lifetime benefits for retirees.
  • Options for part-time employee benefits.
Full Job Description
Salary : $8,329.24 - $10,921.61 Monthly
Location : City of Industry, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 0268/0826
Department: Special Education
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

THE POSITION
Under direction of the Executive Director of Special Education, the individual is to provide educationally related occupational therapy services to students with various disabilities according to the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). The Occupational Therapist participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, provides assessment, consultation and direct occupational therapy to students within educational, developmental and functional parameters; develops and implements individual and/or group occupational therapy intervention plans.
CURRENT OPENING: One 11 month/40 hours per week position. Salary placement will be on Range 48 of the CSEA Salary Schedule. Initial salary placement for new employees is customarily at step 1 ($8,329.24 per month) of this salary range.

APPLICANT FILING INFORMATION: This recruitment is open to the public. An eligibility list will be established to fill vacancies for full-time, part-time, evening, summer, and substitute positions throughout the duration of the eligibility list. Eligibility lists typically last for twelve months. Vacant positions are filled from the top three ranks. Pursuant to PC Rule 6.2.10, the eligibility list established for this recruitment may be used for another related classification at the same or lower salary.

NOTE: Answers to supplemental questions, proof of your highest obtained education, copy of a valid certificate of registration with the National Board Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), copy of a license with the California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT), and a copy of a valid First Aid certificate and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate issued by a recognized training program (or proof of enrollment to obtain the certifications) must be submitted with the application. Additionally, a copy of your California Class C Driver's License and current car insurance must be submitted by the final test part. You may upload the documents to your online application (in the "Attachments" section) or fax them to Silvia Lagunas at (626) 631-3015.
Essential Duties

The classification specification does not describe all duties performed by all incumbents within the class. This summary provides examples of typical tasks performed in this classification.
  • Conducts assessments of students to determine eligibility for occupational therapy.
  • Evaluates and provides occupational therapy services to students with disabilities.
  • 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.
  • Records assessments, actions taken, and recommendations made regarding areas of service as required by law, Board policies, administrative regulations, and the Special Education Department.
  • Operate a computer to enter data, maintain records and generate reports in consultation with parents and teachers.
  • Schedules, plans, and provides occupational therapy programs for students with physical limitations, orthopedic impairment, and/or other areas of concern for the purpose of aiding the students' physical rehabilitation in accordance with IEP goals.
  • Trains and serves as a consultant to staff in areas such as sensory motor, sensory stimulation, and body awareness, fine motor skills and other areas within the therapist's area of expertise.
  • Provides assistance to staff as part of case management through consultation, training, and individual and group activities.
  • Acts as a liaison to District staff, physicians, parents, teachers, students and other agencies in implementing a treatment plan, providing collaborative and consulting services.
  • Responds to inquiries and concerns which arise from parents, students, teachers, and staff.
  • Maintains a safe and orderly treatment area.
  • Monitors, sets up, operates therapy equipment, including hanging, repositioning and adaptation for student use, and instructs multi-disciplinary team in the use and care of equipment.
  • Recommends, designs, creates, and assists in acquiring adaptive equipment and special educational tools as needed.
  • Provides training, direction, and support to assigned staff as needed.
  • Travels to sites/locations throughout the District as required.
  • Attends meetings and conferences as required.
  • Performs other related duties as directed.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Employees in this classification walk, sit, stand, push, pull, lift and carry up to 50 lbs. unassisted and over 50 lbs. with assistance, kneel or stand for extended period of time, reach over head, maintain balance, stoop/bend repeatedly, repetitively use fingers, wrists, or hands in twisting motion or while applying pressure to operate computers and related equipment, use both hands simultaneously, have rapid mental/muscular coordination, speak clearly, hear normal voice conversation, have depth perception, have color vision/distinguish shades, see small details, drive a vehicle, use a computer and a phone.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Employees in this classification work primarily indoors, occasionally outdoors, in direct contact with students, the public and other district staff, with exposure to contagious illnesses, with high volume of work, tight deadlines, and with continuously changing priorities, in the absence of direct supervision, some assignments may require constant attention to protecting physical safety in a classroom where pupils, because of the nature and severity of their disabilities are accident prone, or because of assaultive or self-abusive tendencies could cause serious injury to themselves or others.
Minimum Qualifications

Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Occupational Therapy or a closely related field. A Master's or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy is highly desirable.

Experience:
One year of experience providing occupational therapy services to children (0-22 years old) with disabilities, preferably in a school setting.

Special:
  • Valid certificate of registration with the National Board Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
  • Licensed by the California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT) to practice as an Occupational Therapist.
  • Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License.
  • Evidence of adequate insurance for a motor vehicle, which meets or exceeds the California legal liability insurance requirement and continue to maintain insurability.
  • Possession of a valid First Aid certificate and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate issued by a recognized training program and kept valid during the term of employment.

Ideal candidates will have

Knowledge of:
  • Child development principles, including intellectual, sensory, behavioral, social and emotional growth patterns and physical development of children.
  • Educational and developmental needs of students with various disabilities, including the general nature and causes of physical, mental and emotional disabilities.
  • Theory of mental and physical rehabilitation underlying the practices of occupational therapy.
  • Modern and applicable treatment procedures and modalities for children and young adults.
  • Fundamental principles, techniques and accepted trends in the field of occupational therapy.
  • Occupational therapy assessment tools and techniques.
  • Educational and medical applications of adaptive equipment.
  • Generally accepted standards of health and sanitation.
  • State and Federal laws and regulations governing special education, including the development of IEPs.
  • Health and safety regulations.
  • Record keeping and report preparation techniques.
  • Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
  • Basic First Aid and CPR procedures.
  • Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.

Ability to:
  • Develop, plan, and implement an occupational therapy program for students with various disabilities.
  • Properly use materials, supplies, and equipment employed in performing services as an occupational therapist.
  • Apply a variety of modern methods, techniques, and practices in occupational therapy including assistive technology.
  • Effectively communicate occupational therapy treatment techniques and goals to parents, teachers and other program staff, both individually and as a group.
  • Communicate effectively orally and in writing to express ideas and instructions clearly to students, special educators, community members, parents and District personnel.
  • Work independently with little direction and manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
  • Plan and organize work to establish general schedules and meet timelines.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with various stakeholders.
  • Demonstrate an understanding, empathy, patience and receptive attitude toward students.
  • Maintain discretion and confidentiality of sensitive information.
  • Interpret, apply and explain laws, rules and regulations related to assigned program activities.
  • Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
  • Maintain current knowledge of technical advances in the field.

Examination and Application Process

The screening and examination process for this position, which may be subject to modification, is designed to ensure a fair and job-related evaluation of all candidates. The process may include application screening, initial review of qualifications, verification of documentation or certifications, and, in some cases, supplemental application screening. The stated qualifications represent only the minimum requirements and do not guarantee eligibility for examination or placement on an eligibility list.

The examination may consist of any combination of the following: training and experience evaluation, written knowledge test, hands on/performance test, structured panel interview, situational judgement interview, or other assessments of fitness for the position. All parts of the examination process are job related. Candidates must achieve a passing score on each portion of the examination to advance to next stages and ultimately be placed on the eligibility list. Depending on the classification, eligibility lists may remain in effect for six months or one year.

To ensure timely submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit all required materials before the posted filing deadline. Applicants will be automatically logged out if the application is not submitted in full by the deadline. Upon successful submission, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email; please save or print these for your records. If you do not receive both confirmations, your application has not been received.

For technical assistance with the online application, please review the or contact their toll-free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Personnel Commission is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by your internet connection, computer, or browser.

Disability Accommodation

Please note that it is your responsibility to notify us at least three business days prior to the first test part if you will require reasonable accommodation during any part of the selection process. You are NOT required to disclose any information regarding disabilities at this time but may be required to submit documentation prior to accommodation being granted.

Paid Holidays
Up to 16 holidays per year depending on months worked for all classified employees.

Paid Vacation
Vacation is prorated for all classified employees, based on the hours and months worked per year. Below is the vacation schedule for classified supervisors and classified staff.

Classified Employee Vacation Chart
1-5 years of service
  • One day of vacation will be earned per month worked.

6-10 years of service
  • One and one-quarter (1 ¼) days of vacation will be earned per month worked.

11-15 years of service
  • One and one-half (1 ½) days of vacation will be earned per month worked.

16-20 years of service
  • One and three-fourths (1 ¾) days of vacation will be earned per month worked.

21 + years of service
  • Two (2) days of vacation will be earned per month worked.

Health Benefits
For positions 35 hours or more per week the District contributes $12,900 (subject to change) toward annual premium for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage. Partially paid benefits are available for part-time (20-34) hour employees. The District participates in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Lifetime retirement benefits provided for eligible retirees.

District Benefit Providers:

The following benefit providers are available for enrollment for eligible employees.

*Medical: Kaiser, Un

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