Senior Occupational/Physical Therapist-Physical Therapist

County of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

County of San Diego is seeking a Senior Physical Therapist for the Public Health Services - California Children's Services program to provide pediatric physical therapy to children with disabilities and to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team.

Starting salary is based on qualifications at appointment; interviews and offers begin the week of October 5, 2026. A pre-employment medical screening and background check are required; a six-month evaluation list may apply.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed as a Physical Therapist by the State of California or be in the process of licensure.
• Two years of experience as a licensed physical therapist.

Skills

Licensed Physical Therapist

Pediatric PT

Job description

Senior Physical Therapist

Public Health Services - California Children's Services

Interviews and job offers will take place beginning the week of October 5, 2026.

The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate’s qualifications at time of appointment.

Future Salary Increases

• June 2027 – 4.47% increase to base pay (3% Across-the-Board + 1.47% Market Adjustment)

Hiring Process and Timeline

• Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
• Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be licensed as a Physical Therapist by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Physical Therapy Board of California or be in the process of obtaining licensure in California (see note below); AND,
• Two (2) years of experience as a licensed physical therapist.

Notes

• Positions in CCS require work with a pediatric population with physical disabilities
• If hired, graduates of accredited or approved schools of physical therapy that have filed an application for a license with Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC) must obtain their license within six (6) months from the time of hire, or be terminated from County Service. Physical therapy applicants, who are licensed physical therapists in another state besides California, must show proof of application for licensure as a physical therapist with the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Physical Therapy Board of California. These physical therapist license applicants must obtain their license as provided in the California Business and Professions Code; Division 2; Chapter 5.7; Section 2636.5 and Section 2639 or they will be terminated from county service.

Blind Applicant Screening

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.

Condition of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

Evaluation

The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization.

The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Please see the Strategic Plan for more information.

Veteran’s Preference Policy

The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the Veteran's Preference Policy for additional information.

Military Skills Translator

Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! This tool can help! Please read the Military Skills Translator to access the tool.

Disaster Service Workers

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.