Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - Special Education

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of 2024 Best Employers in Arizona.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type:

Full-time (40 hours per week)

Base Hourly:

$28.60

Class/Calendar:

C41, 9.25 months

Benefits:

Vacation, sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

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

New Hire Education:

1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary:

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.

Key Responsibilities:

This section outlines the primary duties and key responsibilities required for this role, detailing the essential tasks and functions necessary to perform the job successfully, with or without reasonable accommodations.

• 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
• 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
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, an applicant must meet the following required qualifications. Verification of these required qualifications is necessary.

Education:

• 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

Experience:

• Developmental, pediatric of school-based experience preferred

Skills & Competencies:

This section outlines the critical skills and competencies required to excel in this role, enabling effective performance, adaptability, and consistent achievement of job responsibilities.

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• 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

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

This section outlines the work environment and physical conditions associated with this role. It includes information on whether the job involves working in an office, classroom, or other settings, and if there are physical activities like standing, walking, or lifting.

• Works in elementary, middle, or high schools, including classrooms, therapy rooms, and sometimes playgrounds
• May be required to travel between different schools within the district
• Works closely with teachers, special education staff, OTs, and parents
• Schools can be busy, requiring the ability to manage distractions
• Therapy sessions may involve extended periods of sitting on the floor or standing.
• May need to assist students with mobility challenges, which can involve lifting, transferring, or repositioning them

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.