Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
West Fargo Public Schools, West Fargo, ND, United States
Job Description
Position Title:
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Location:
Leidal Education Center
Department:
Special Education
Reports To:
Occupational Therapists, School Principal, and Special Education Directors
Term:
Ongoing 182-day position following school calendar
Schedule:
Mon-Fri Full-time Approx. 32 hours/week
Salary:
Position follows the Classified Salary Schedule 2025-2026 at B235. Starting salary begins at $24.30-$27.30/hour, based on experience.
Date of last review:
March 2026
Summary
The COTA works under the direction of the Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) to provide occupational therapy services within the educational setting to learners with cognitive, physical, emotional, and/or developmental delays.
To Apply
Please complete the application and include three references.
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and requirement satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Collaboration
Assists learners with adaptive equipment and assistive technology as appropriate.
Develops positive, effective working relationships with learners and staff.
Communication
Educates/trains staff and other team members in specific techniques related to OT in the areas of fine motor development, sensory, positioning, adaptive equipment for feeding, etc.
Provides accurate documentation of intervention, treatment, progress and need for follow‑up services.
Communicates intervention options with the learner, parents/guardians, and teachers.
Reports and evaluates effectiveness of interventions.
Acts as a communication liaison between learners and teachers.
Acts as a communication liaison between resource and content areas classroom.
Connects and shares ideas through appropriate/applicable formats to express thoughts and ideas with integrity.
Compassion
Demonstrates understanding of learner's disability, is courteous, respectful and fair.
Understands the complexities of cultural and global issues and how they relate to employee and learners' experiences.
Partners with others to resolve potential controversy and conflict through respectful discussion.
Proactively seeks to understand the ideas, opinions, and skills of others.
Creativity
Demonstrates initiative and creativity with learners and their program.
Connects with team members and shares ideas in an effort to improve the overall learner and employee experience.
Critical Thinking
Determines needs and priorities for intervention based on an appreciation and understanding of the individual learner.
Complete documentation with data sheets, progress reports, IEPs, Medicaid, etc.
Identifies and/or designs theoretically based interventions that address the learner's needs by using data gathering techniques such as interview, observation, activity analysis and assessment.
Reasons, interprets, and analyzes information to generate new knowledge and understanding.
Reflection
Maintains communication with supervisor and director regarding general feedback, career advancement opportunities, and areas of growth opportunities.
Resilience
Maintains composure while dealing with stressful situations.
Proactively seeks out resolutions and takes initiative to resolve knowledge gaps.
Responsibility
Performs evaluations as determined by the supervising OTR.
Attends meetings and reports OT results upon requesting from supervising OTR.
Provides occupational therapy services that address the needs of the learner by adapting activities to fit the learner's educational level.
Implements interventions using current practices and emerging knowledge.
Selects intervention methods consistent with goals and the school environment.
Follows occupational therapy roles, code of ethics, standards of practice and governmental occupational therapy regulations.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms.
While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, talk, and hear.
The specific vision abilities required for this role include close and peripheral vision.
The employee may be required to lift up to ~30 pounds.
The employee must work with the public and various WFPS staff while simultaneously managing several competing demands.
The employee will work in an environment that has a quiet to loud noise level.
Education and/or Experience
Associate's Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited community college or technical school.
Previous demonstrated experience in areas of OT practice including, but not limited to, fine motor, visual motor, and sensory interventions.
Previous experience working with school-aged learners is preferred.
Previous experience working with learners with varying levels of motor and sensory abilities is preferred.
Pediatric experience is preferred.
Previous experience working in a school setting is preferred.
Language Skills
Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions and short correspondences in the English language.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally, expressively, and reactively.
Other Skills and Abilities
Exercise confidentiality, discretion, and good judgement.
Adhere to the assigned work schedule by maintaining regular and punctual attendance.
Ability to use technology and integrate it into OT‑based services.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None.
The West Fargo Public School District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free from discrimination and harassment in all employment and educational programs, activities, and facilities. The District prohibits discrimination and harassment based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or other protected status by law. External applicants are eligible for ND Veteran's Preference: North Dakota veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a form DD214, and if claiming disabled veteran's status, a current letter of disability. West Fargo Public Schools is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all hiring and employment practices. Applicants who incorporate a holistic perspective and a commitment to inclusion are encouraged to apply.
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Position Title:
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Location:
Leidal Education Center
Department:
Special Education
Reports To:
Occupational Therapists, School Principal, and Special Education Directors
Term:
Ongoing 182-day position following school calendar
Schedule:
Mon-Fri Full-time Approx. 32 hours/week
Salary:
Position follows the Classified Salary Schedule 2025-2026 at B235. Starting salary begins at $24.30-$27.30/hour, based on experience.
Date of last review:
March 2026
Summary
The COTA works under the direction of the Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) to provide occupational therapy services within the educational setting to learners with cognitive, physical, emotional, and/or developmental delays.
To Apply
Please complete the application and include three references.
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and requirement satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Collaboration
Assists learners with adaptive equipment and assistive technology as appropriate.
Develops positive, effective working relationships with learners and staff.
Communication
Educates/trains staff and other team members in specific techniques related to OT in the areas of fine motor development, sensory, positioning, adaptive equipment for feeding, etc.
Provides accurate documentation of intervention, treatment, progress and need for follow‑up services.
Communicates intervention options with the learner, parents/guardians, and teachers.
Reports and evaluates effectiveness of interventions.
Acts as a communication liaison between learners and teachers.
Acts as a communication liaison between resource and content areas classroom.
Connects and shares ideas through appropriate/applicable formats to express thoughts and ideas with integrity.
Compassion
Demonstrates understanding of learner's disability, is courteous, respectful and fair.
Understands the complexities of cultural and global issues and how they relate to employee and learners' experiences.
Partners with others to resolve potential controversy and conflict through respectful discussion.
Proactively seeks to understand the ideas, opinions, and skills of others.
Creativity
Demonstrates initiative and creativity with learners and their program.
Connects with team members and shares ideas in an effort to improve the overall learner and employee experience.
Critical Thinking
Determines needs and priorities for intervention based on an appreciation and understanding of the individual learner.
Complete documentation with data sheets, progress reports, IEPs, Medicaid, etc.
Identifies and/or designs theoretically based interventions that address the learner's needs by using data gathering techniques such as interview, observation, activity analysis and assessment.
Reasons, interprets, and analyzes information to generate new knowledge and understanding.
Reflection
Maintains communication with supervisor and director regarding general feedback, career advancement opportunities, and areas of growth opportunities.
Resilience
Maintains composure while dealing with stressful situations.
Proactively seeks out resolutions and takes initiative to resolve knowledge gaps.
Responsibility
Performs evaluations as determined by the supervising OTR.
Attends meetings and reports OT results upon requesting from supervising OTR.
Provides occupational therapy services that address the needs of the learner by adapting activities to fit the learner's educational level.
Implements interventions using current practices and emerging knowledge.
Selects intervention methods consistent with goals and the school environment.
Follows occupational therapy roles, code of ethics, standards of practice and governmental occupational therapy regulations.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms.
While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, talk, and hear.
The specific vision abilities required for this role include close and peripheral vision.
The employee may be required to lift up to ~30 pounds.
The employee must work with the public and various WFPS staff while simultaneously managing several competing demands.
The employee will work in an environment that has a quiet to loud noise level.
Education and/or Experience
Associate's Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited community college or technical school.
Previous demonstrated experience in areas of OT practice including, but not limited to, fine motor, visual motor, and sensory interventions.
Previous experience working with school-aged learners is preferred.
Previous experience working with learners with varying levels of motor and sensory abilities is preferred.
Pediatric experience is preferred.
Previous experience working in a school setting is preferred.
Language Skills
Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions and short correspondences in the English language.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally, expressively, and reactively.
Other Skills and Abilities
Exercise confidentiality, discretion, and good judgement.
Adhere to the assigned work schedule by maintaining regular and punctual attendance.
Ability to use technology and integrate it into OT‑based services.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None.
The West Fargo Public School District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free from discrimination and harassment in all employment and educational programs, activities, and facilities. The District prohibits discrimination and harassment based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or other protected status by law. External applicants are eligible for ND Veteran's Preference: North Dakota veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a form DD214, and if claiming disabled veteran's status, a current letter of disability. West Fargo Public Schools is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all hiring and employment practices. Applicants who incorporate a holistic perspective and a commitment to inclusion are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr