ALBANY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE

Laramie, Wyoming

JOB DESCRIPTION: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

• The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) provides occupational therapy services to students under the direction and supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) in accordance with Wyoming law and District policy.
• The COTA assists in implementing individualized occupational therapy intervention plans designed to improve students’ fine motor skills, visual-motor integration, sensory processing, positioning, daily living skills, and access to educational environments. The COTA works with students identified with or suspected of having disabilities that interfere with their ability to participate in school-based activities and occupations.
• This position is posted for the 2026/2027 school year. 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant:

1. Implements occupational therapy intervention plans developed by the supervising Occupational Therapist to support students’ access to and participation in educational programs. *

1. Assists students in developing fine motor, visual-motor, sensory-motor, self-care, positioning, play/leisure, and functional school-related skills consistent with established treatment plans. *

1. Observes and documents student performance during therapy sessions and reports progress, concerns, and recommendations to the supervising Occupational Therapist. *

1. Assists in preparing therapy materials and adapting classroom materials and environments as directed to support student access. *

1. Supports the use of adaptive equipment and assistive devices as outlined in treatment plans. *

1. Monitors and maintains therapy equipment and assistive devices; reports equipment concerns to the supervising Occupational Therapist. *

1. Collaborates with teachers, special education staff, paraprofessionals, nurses, and related service providers to support the integration of occupational therapy strategies into the educational setting. *

1. Provides instruction and modeling to staff and caregivers, as directed by the supervising Occupational Therapist, regarding implementation of therapy-related activities and accommodations. *

1. Assists the supervising Occupational Therapist with data collection and preparation for IEP meetings, progress reports, and required documentation. *

1. Maintains an inventory of occupational therapy materials and assists with organization and care of therapy equipment. *

1. Travels between District sites as assigned to provide services.*

1. Follows the policies and procedures of the school(s) and the *

1. Maintains accurate and complete records, including testing and other relevant records. *

1. Ensures that confidentiality is maintained for sensitive records and other information. *

1. Responds appropriately to student behavior in the total school environment and supports school-wide expectations. *

1. Participates in professional growth (such as professional organizations, coursework, workshops, and conferences) and other professional activities (such as school and/or District committees, taskforces, in-depth studies, or councils). *

1. Demonstrates a sense of professional responsibility, such as demonstrating ethical behavior; providing accurate data and reports when needed; meeting deadlines; maintaining confidentiality; caring for the equipment and materials; and dressing appropriately; exhibiting sensitivity to those with special needs; maintaining good professional relationships with parents and community members; and presenting a good role model. *

1. Other duties as assigned.

* Denotes essential functions

(The tasks listed under the heading of Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities are examples of the variety and general nature of duties performed by employees in positions allocated to the classification. This specification should not be interpreted to describe all the duties which may be assigned to an employee at this level.)

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to develop and maintain a positive relationship with students and to provide a climate conducive to testing and assisting students; ability to use effective communication skills; knowledge of special education law and regulations; ability to use time effectively; good organizational skills; ability to maintain a positive relationship with other staff by collaborating and working cooperatively with them (including supervisors); knowledge of physiological, psychological, emotional and educational behavioral development of children and/or adolescents; ability to lead meetings; ability to help groups achieve consensus; and knowledge of the various categories of disabilities and educational programs appropriate for students with those conditions.

ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:                  Associate’s degree from an accredited Occupational Therapist Assistant program; current certification as a licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant in Wyoming.

Work Experience:      Experience as an educator or related-service provider is preferred.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

-       The Physical Abilities and Working Conditions listed in this section are representative of but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and Working Conditions which may be required for this position.  Albany County School District #1 encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment for this position and need reasonable accommodation of those disabilities to contact the Chief Human Resources Officer for further information.

-                Vision: (which may be corrected) to read small print; view a computer screen for prolonged periods.

-                Hearing: (which may be corrected) to answer telephones and tolerate exposure to noisy conditions.

-                Speech: to be understood in face-to-face communications; to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone.

-                Upper Body Mobility: use hands and fingers to feel, grasp, and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and bend at the wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower the head.

-                Strength: to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 15 or more pounds on a frequent basis.

-                Environmental Requirements: encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors and outdoors.

-                Mental Requirements: read, write, understand, interpret, and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile, and coordinate information and records.

-                Additional Work Conditions and Physical Abilities: May require travel to multiple sites.

EVALUATION

-       Evaluation of this position shall be by the Chief Student Advocacy Officer/Principal.

Salary : $35 - $46