Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Best to Apply by 2/13/2026

ESD 113 learns from and cares for our staff, students, families, schools, and the land, works alongside communities to build pathways that expand opportunity, and acts with collective purpose to advance educational justice.

This position may be scheduled for 8.75 hours/day, 4 days/week, 148 days/year, OR 8 hours/day, 5 days/week, 180 days/year. Schedule will be determined by business need at hire.

Benefits will include Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance; FSA/DCAP; Life/AD&D Insurance; LTD Insurance; EAP; Retirement; DCP; Sick Leave, and Personal Leave.

Required attachments: Transcript, Resume and Cover Letter

Please see the job description below for a list of Essential Functions.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Job Description

Purpose Statement

The job of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is done for the purpose/s of planning for and providing treatment interventions to assist students with motor development, orthopedic and health impairments, and multiple handicaps, all under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist.

Essential Functions

Equipment Adaptation Adapts equipment (e.g. seating, tables, desks, computer hardware, etc.) for the purpose of providing optimal positioning and increased independence for special education students.

Student Assessment Assists in the assessment of students' fine motor and development skills (e.g. objective assessments, student observation, etc.) for the purpose of identifying deficits and developing recommendations.

Meeting Participation Attends a variety of meetings (e.g. IEPs, training, team meetings, meetings with outside agencies, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and receiving information.

Stakeholder Consultation Consults with a variety of stakeholders (e.g. occupational therapists, physical therapists, teachers, families, etc.) for the purpose of providing requested information, reviewing students' occupational therapy goals, developing plans for services, and making recommendations.

Treatment Strategy Development Develops individual treatment strategies for the purpose of addressing the functional needs of students.

Treatment Plan Implementation Implements treatment plans developed by Occupational Therapist for the purpose of achieving functional goals of assigned students.

Documentation and Record Keeping Maintains documents, files, and records (e.g. IEP progress reports, student progress data, activity logs, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, student progress, and ensuring an up-to-date trail for compliance.

Site Visits Performs site visits (e.g. multiple work sites, home visits during off-hours and summers, etc.) for the purpose of providing therapy and assistance as required.

Materials Preparation Prepares a variety of materials (e.g. activity logs, materials for student therapy sessions, Medicaid billings, summer activities packets, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and conveying information.

Training and Instruction Provides training and instruction to teachers on the use of assistive devices for the purpose of ensuring such devices are used safely and optimal benefits are achieved.

Incident Reporting Reports incidents and observations (e.g. suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment, and adhering to district, state, and federal regulations.

Research and Best Practices Researches a variety of topics (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, assistive devices, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing students' functional goals.

Materials Transport Transports a variety of items (e.g. assistive devices, assessment tools, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of materials required for therapy sessions.

Travel Requirements Travels from their duty station to school districts for the purpose of providing services to students and performing the essential functions of the position.

Equipment Troubleshooting Troubleshoots problems with assistive devices (e.g. computer technology, mechanical issues, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that equipment is in proper working order and providing alternative strategies.

Other Functions

Personnel Assistance Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.

Related Duties Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge Required Knowledge is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adaptive equipment; and occupational therapy models, practices, and theories.

Skills Required Skills are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; applying assessment instruments; operating equipment used in occupational therapy; operating standard office equipment including pertinent software applications; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

Abilities Required Ability is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather and/or collate data; and consider a variety of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using a variety of processes. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize a variety of types of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is moderate.

Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; projecting a professional image; and exercising good judgment when dealing with students, parents, and coworkers.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; providing information and/or advising others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to impact the organization's services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, 40% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Education and Experience Requirements

Experience: Job related experience is required.

Education: Targeted job related education that meets organization's prerequisite requirements.

Equivalency: None specified

Position Information

FLSA Status: Non Exempt

Approval Date: 11/30/2002

Revised Date: 12/06/2017

Pay Grade: Range 46

Required Testing, Certificates and Licenses

Certification and License Requirements:

Valid Driver's License and Evidence of Insurability
WA state COTA Certification

Continuing Education and Training:

Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses

Clearance Requirements:

Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance
WA State Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Release

Capital Region ESD 113 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

ESD 113 -Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant