Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) - Multiple positions Pre K - 6 (Anticipated 2026-2027 School Year)

J.O. Combs Unified School District 44 complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to apply and participate in the hiring process. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation should contact Human Resources at hr@jocombs.org. 

About Us

J.O. Combs Unified School District is located in San Tan Valley near Queen Creek, Mesa, Apache Junction, and Florence. We offer the full student experience from Pre-K through high school. The District is comprised of five elementary schools, middle school, high school, and alternative and online schools. We hire employees who are committed, innovative, and passionate about children and their educational opportunities. If this describes you, continue to learn more about the position below. 

Position: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant           

Salary Schedule/Base Annual Rate (Subject to Change): Certified Salary Schedule/$54,067. Additional credit for related years of service and education. 

Work Calendar: 10 months, 200 days

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

FLSA Status: Exempt

Benefits: Eligible for benefits the first of the month following the new hire date

Reports to: Principal and Director of Special Education

Why Work for Us

• You will make a difference in children's lives, our future leaders
• You have school breaks and the summer off work
• We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/prescriptions (we have no cost employee medical options), dental, vision, health savings account match, District paid basic life and accidental death and disability, and other voluntary benefits

About the Role

The Certificated Occupational Therapy Assistant works under the direct supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist to provide direct therapy to students with fine motor/sensory delays.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist, participates in the assessment of fine motor, perceptual motor, sensorimotor, and oral motor function.
• Confers with the Occupational Therapist and assist with the development of Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) goals and objectives as determined by the OT assessment on assigned students.
• Utilizes the team approach in working with therapies, teachers, parents, aides, and attendants to provide consultative and/or direct assistance to enhance the student's participation in Education.
• To provide accurate records for Medicate in The Public Schools (MIPS) on a monthly basis.
• Under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist, it provides follow-through and reinforcement of educational goals and objectives as they relate to functional perceptual motor, sensorimotor, and/or self-care skills.
• Works in conjunction with the staff in providing consultative and/or direct assistance to enhance the student's participation in Education.
• Manages time, organizes materials, and communicates with IEP team to effectively assist with the case management of assigned children and youth.
• Participate in professional enrichment activities to maintain a high standard of service.
• Engages in public awareness activities to assist consumers in understanding the services and outcomes of the Occupational Therapy profession in the educational setting.
• Serves as an advocate for all children and youth.
• Reports any and all violations of rules and regulations to Supervisor/Coordinator
• Other duties as assigned. 

What You Need

• Must possess and maintain valid DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Must possess appropriate occupational therapist assistant certification

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required stand; use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee is required to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.  The employee is frequently required to sit. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties may require employee to be exposed to outside weather conditions including extreme heat or cold, wind and rain. High humidity and/or dusty conditions may also be present. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

How to Apply

Apply Online

Please read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider employment history, related experience, and education for the position in which you applied. 

If you are selected for the position, you may receive additional credit for years of related experience and education towards your salary. Related experience and education not submitted at the time of a job offer will not be considered in the future for this position. 

Please ensure your application is fully completed and each work history record includes the information below. Please note: If you were employed by the same employer and had different job positions or different full-time or part-time status, each change should be included as a new position.

• Employer's name and address
• Job Title
• Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
• Start and end dates (month and year)
• Full-time or part-time status (Full-time status is 30 or more hours per week and part-time status is less than 30 hours per week.) Substitute positions receive part-time credit. 

Additional Information:

• Please attach a copy of your transcripts or diploma's
• Please attach a copy of your IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card, if you already have it
• Please attach other required documents specific for this position

Notice of Non-Discrimination:

J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age or sexual orientation in admission and access to its programs, services, activities, or in any aspect of their operations and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. The following employees have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Compliance Officer for Title IX, Athletic Director, 2505 E. Germann Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-882-3540 and Compliance Officer for Section 504/ADA, Director of Student Services, 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300. 

J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 no discrimina en base a la raza, el color, la religión, el origen nacional, el sexo, la discapacidad, la edad, o la orientación sexual para la admisión y su acceso a sus programas, servicios, actividades, o en cualquier aspecto de sus operaciones y proporciona un acceso igualitario a los Boys Scouts y otro grupos de jóvenes designados. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 tampoco discrimina en sus prácticas de empleo y contratación. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para manejar las preguntas en cuanto a las polízas de no discriminación: Funcionario de Cumplimiento de Título IX, Director Atlético 2505 E. Germann Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 o 480-882-3540 and Funcionario de Cumplimiento para la Sección 504/ADA, Director de Servicios Estudiantiles, 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 o 480-987-5300.
 

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