What are the responsibilities and job description for the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - Special Education 2025-2026 position at Special Ed?
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
25/26 SY
Mesa Public Schools is an award-winning district and voted Best Place to Work in Mesa. With over 9,000 employees, we are the largest school district in Arizona. Families have sent generations of students through our schools, as we are the premier educational choice in Arizona.
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Base Rate: |
$28.60 |
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Performance Pay: |
Available annually |
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New hire experience: |
1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a ten-year maximum |
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New hire education: |
1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position |
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Class/Calendar: |
C41, 9.25 months |
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Hours: |
Full-time (40 hours per week) |
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FSLA: |
Non-Exempt |
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Benefits: |
Sick leave, holidays, matched retirement, health and life insurance |
OVERVIEW
To provide treatment therapy, as defined by the occupational therapist, to eligible students; to provide occupational training and information to teachers and staff; and to assist in the assessment of students.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Accredited college graduate or technical training program for Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Valid AOTCB certification; valid license issued by the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners as a COTA
- Valid Arizona driver’s license
- Developmental, pediatric of school-based experience preferred
- Ability to contribute and participate in the assessment, intervention and documentation process
- Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written)
- Ability to work independently and to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with district personnel and other team members
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide treatment therapy to eligible students to achieve specified educational objectives as defined by the occupational therapist
- Consult with teachers and occupational therapists to assist with the evaluation and potential solutions to treatment and therapy problems for students and for adherence to the Individual Education Plan (IEP)
- Assist in the evaluation and assessment of eligible students to determine appropriate treatment therapies to achieve objectives
- Confer with assigned occupational therapist to assist in the evaluation of students’ progress and to update IEPs
- Prepare documentation (i.e. weekly attendance records, progress data collection, etc) to provide written verification and documentation of progress
- Assist in a two-person lift with students weighing up to 100 pounds between wheelchair, classroom chair, commode, floor, playground equipment, stander, classroom positioning equipment, therapy equipment, etc
- Travel between sites, as assigned, to perform therapeutic activities
- Attend assigned meetings and/or in-services to gather information needed to perform job functions
- Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit
- Regular and on-time attendance required
ADDITIONAL DUTIES:
- Provide training and information to teachers and staff to assist them in the continuation of treatment of students to achieve desired skills
- Assist other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities
SUPERVISION
Occupational Therapist
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ORGANIZATION: The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex or gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or marital status.
Salary : $29
