Position:
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - Specialized Student Services
Type:
Public
Location:
Urban
Job ID:
136066
County:
East Maricopa
Posted:
October 21, 2026
Contact Information:
Mesa Public Schools
549 North Stapley Drive
Mesa, Arizona 85201
District Website
Contact:
Recruitment
Phone: 480-472-7210
Fax:
District Email
Job Description:
Employment Type:
Full-time (40 hours per week)
Base Hourly:
$28.85
Class/Calendar:
C41, 9.25 months
Benefits:
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:
- 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:
- 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
Skills & Competencies:
- 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:
- 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
Other: