Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

School-Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) – Part-Time

Autism Academy for Education & Development (AAED)

East Valley (Gilbert & Tempe, Arizona)

Competitive hourly pay: $29–$42/hour depending on experience.

Location: Gilbert, AZ (with minimal travel to Tempe Campus approx. every other week)

Join a Therapy Team That Values Quality Over Quotas

Autism Academy for Education & Development (AAED) is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and motivated Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join our collaborative therapy department for the 2026–2027 school year.

We know talented COTAs have options. That’s why we’ve created a position focused on flexibility, support, and providing great therapy—not meeting productivity metrics.

As a private school specializing in working with students with Autism, we’re able to focus our energy where it belongs which is on our students. While we voluntarily utilize IEPs because we believe they provide the best outcomes for our students, we’re not bound by many of the administrative requirements found in traditional public/charter school settings. Our therapists are not responsible for completing MET evaluations and never have to worry about insurance, Medicaid, or DDD billing, allowing them to spend more time providing exceptional therapy and less time completing paperwork.

If you’re looking for a position where you can focus on helping students thrive while enjoying flexibility, supportive leadership, and an outstanding work-life balance, we’d love to meet you.

Why You’ll Love Working at AAED

We believe great therapists do their best work when they feel supported.

That’s why we offer:

· Competitive hourly pay: $29–$42/hour (depending on experience)

· Flexible 16–24 hour/week therapy schedule

o Looking for full-time employment? Qualified candidates may have the opportunity to supplement their therapy hours with a paraprofessional role on campus to create a full-time position.

· We’ll help create a schedule that works around your availability

· Supportive leadership that understands and values therapists

· Collaborative multidisciplinary therapy team

· Manageable caseloads

· Professional autonomy with mentorship

· Therapy materials and resources provided

· Paid Sick Time (PST)

· Annual subscription to a professional CEU platform

· Excellent work-life balance

· School calendar schedule with Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer Breaks

About the Position

This part-time position primarily serves students at our Gilbert Campus, with a short visit to our Tempe Campus approximately every other week to provide therapy services to a small group of secondary students.

Most of your caseload will consist of elementary-aged students, although services may be provided to students from kindergarten through transition-age (K–12 ). All students have a primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Student service hours occur:

Monday–Thursday: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Friday: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM

We’ll work with the successful candidate to create a schedule that fits within these hours while accommodating their availability whenever possible.

Looking for Full-Time Hours?

While this position is designed as a part-time therapy role (16–24 hours/week), we understand some candidates are looking for full-time employment.

For qualified applicants interested in additional hours, there may be an opportunity to combine this position with a paraprofessional role on campus to create a full-time schedule. This option is entirely voluntary and can be discussed during the interview process.

Why experienced COTAs Choose AAED?

We intentionally designed our therapy department to support therapists—not burn them out.

At AAED you’ll enjoy:

· No productivity quotas

· No insurance/Medicaid/DDD billing

· No MET evaluations

· Less administrative paperwork than many traditional public/charter school settings

· Flexible scheduling

· Supportive leadership that truly values therapists as trusted professionals

· A collaborative therapy department where everyone works together

· Manageable caseloads

· Therapy materials and resources are provided

· The opportunity to focus on what matters most—helping students succeed

What You’ll Do

Working under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist, you will:

· Provide occupational therapy services as outlined within students’ individualized education plans (IEPs) and programming.

· Deliver therapy in small-group and classroom settings.

· Implement treatment activities that promote independence and functional participation throughout the school day.

· Collaborate with Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, teachers, and other members of our multidisciplinary team.

· Maintain therapy schedules, student documentation, progress reports, lesson plans, and data collection.

· Assist your supervising Occupational Therapist with educational planning.

· Create a positive, engaging, and supportive learning environment that helps students reach their fullest potential.

· Build meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff while maintaining professional communication.

Qualifications

Required

· Associate’s degree (or higher) from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program

· Current AZ Occupational Therapy Assistant License

· Valid Arizona Level One IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

· Excellent communication and organizational skills

· Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team

Preferred

· Previous school-based experience as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

· Experience working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

· Knowledge of sensory processing and sensory-based interventions

· Experience with Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)

About Autism Academy for Education & Development

Autism Academy for Education & Development (AAED) is Arizona’s premier private school dedicated exclusively to educating students with Autism. Our multidisciplinary approach brings together educators, therapists, and behavior professionals to create individualized learning experiences that help every student reach their greatest potential.

Our therapists are respected members of our educational team and play an essential role in helping students develop the functional skills needed for success both inside and outside the classroom.

We believe in collaboration over competition, quality over quantity, and supporting our clinicians so they can focus on what they do best—changing lives.

If you’re looking for a school-based COTA position where your work is valued, your schedule is respected, and your focus can remain on delivering exceptional therapy services, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and discover why AAED is a place where therapists can truly thrive.

Pay: $29.00 - $42.00 per hour

Experience:

• COTA: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $29 - $42