Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Summary of Position:

Under the direction of the Director of Special Education, the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) provides educational occupational therapy services to students (3 years of age through 12th grade) and support for IEP team members as supervised and coordinated with the district occupational therapist (OT).

Essential Functions:

(The following list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive list of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position.  Regular attendance is an essential function of this job.)

• Assists the OT with student screening and/or evaluates students who have been referred to occupational therapy in the areas of fine motor performance, coordination, postural stability, perceptual motor performance, sensory processing and self-regulation and activities of daily living/functional skills (such as written productions and classroom tool use) with emphasis on present level of performance as related to academic functioning.
• Consults and collaborates with teachers and other specialists regarding appropriate motor activities, self-help skills, sensory needs, adaptations, and special equipment or assistive devices as necessary.
• Implement educational plans as described on individual IEP’s and provide information for building staff as needed.
• Provides monitoring, consultation, direct or indirect occupational therapy for selected students who are eligible for such services.
• Maintains close communication with the OT, classroom teachers, other staff and parents concerning student’s performance.
• With a high level of overview from the OT, the COTA will support the maintenance of accurate records of students evaluated and served in occupational therapy program; including supporting the OT with assessment, IEP progress, and other documentation or reports as needed.
• Participates in designated team meetings, individual education plan conferences and periodic reviews involving assessment, programming and reevaluation decisions.
• Completes student evaluation components as coordinated with the OT
• Supports the development and provision of formal and informal in-service programs for teachers and parents regarding occupational therapy.
• Maintain appropriate records and collect data on progress on goals and objectives for each student and meet all required timelines.
• Conduct assessments, comprehensive report results, and follow state criteria in area(s) of special education eligibility as well as mandated timelines as directed by the OT.
• Acts as liaison between school district and community agencies, doctors and hospitals as needed to provide collaborative occupational therapy services.

Other Duties: 

• Designs, orders or constructs adaptive equipment and assistive devices and other classroom support items.
• Participates in in-services and organizational meetings
• Participates in professional development by attending in-services, workshops, conferences and
• Maintains close communication with the OT and district leadership
• Complies with School Board policies and all state/federal rules and
• Completes all district and state reporting
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor

 Certification and Licensure:

• Current license by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant required

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust/focus.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate. Work is performed indoors, although there will be required outdoor activities. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.

Non-Discrimination

Cedar Springs Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, “Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities

REPORTS TO:  Director of Early Childhood and Special Education 

START DATE:  8/24/2026

PAY RATE:  

WHO ARE WE?

Cedar Springs Public Schools is a Preschool through 12th-grade public school consisting of over 3,000 students and nearly 400 employees.  We are located within the city limits of Cedar Springs, Michigan in Kent County. Cedar Springs Public Schools is one of 20 member public school districts within the Kent Intermediate School District (KISD). We are unique in that our schools are all located within a single campus setting with the exception of the Middle School which is located 1 mile south of the main campus. The setting is secure, picturesque, and allows easy access for families participating in activities for more than one child.

Our exemplary educational system is a result of the collaborative efforts of parents, students, school and community. Together, we are providing opportunities for students to reach their full potential by providing a well-rounded educational experience. WE are RED HAWKS!

DISTRIBUTION: Internal / External

APPLICATIONS: Submit an application, cover letter and resume by clicking here.  NO HARD COPY APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED/REVIEWED VIA MAIL OR HAND DELIVERY.

Salary : $21 - $27