Job Title: Special Education – Educational Assistant

Department: Special Education (Locations: Resource, Life Skills, Functional Life Skills, Structured Therapeutic Educational Program, Community Transition Program, includes Student Specific (1:1) positions)
Classification: Classified, IIC
Reports to: Principal and Teacher(s) Assigned
Schedule: 7.5 hours per day / 24-25 Educational Assistant Calendar

Job Summary:  Provide instructional assistance to students under the direct supervision of a certified teacher. Assist in preparing, conducting, and managing of classroom activities. Assist students by providing help with educational, health, or language needs (depending on the assignment). Support inclusion of students with disabilities to access general education settings and peers.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist the teacher in the instruction and support of students at varying levels of need.
• Instruct students in groups or individually.
• Assist the teacher in monitoring and documenting the progress of students.
• Provide input to the teacher on planning lessons and evaluating results.
• Perform other tasks to assist the teacher, such as grading papers, preparing teaching materials.
• If you have bilingual skills, duties may include providing oral and/or written interpretation and translation for students and their families.
• If you are assigned a student with special needs, duties may include providing for students' personal care needs (i.e. transitions, sensory breaks, wheelchair transition, bathroom needs, recording medical and personal care needs, physical movement and lifting of students.)
• Participates actively in the process of collecting specific data related to students’ behaviors and contributes to the development of students’ behavior support plans through sharing data and observations.
• Implements social skills instruction and behavior intervention plans specially designed by the teacher and behavior support staff utilizing crisis prevention and intervention strategies including, when necessary, the use of safe restraint or seclusion techniques.
• Utilizes district approved de-escalation and physical intervention techniques when needed in both specialized and general education classroom settings and in non-instructional locations within and around the school environment.
• Provides input into the development of individualized sensory plans for students; supports students’ development of self- regulation ability through the skillful use of sensory tools; guides students to interact with tools to decrease behavioral escalation intensity and frequency.
• Communicates with students during instruction and interpersonal interaction using language structure, tone and body language that promotes positive student behavior, conflict resolution and problem solving, effective management of power struggles and applies proactive strategies for management of escalating behavior.
• Builds students’ ability to communicate through consistent use of communication methods, implementing them with fidelity as instructed by the speech/language pathologist and classroom teacher.
• Meets students' physical, communication, and instructional needs by using adaptive equipment and technology.
• Performs health tasks and implements individualized protocols, as delegated by the medical staff and assigned by the classroom teacher.
• Wears protective gear as directed by the classroom teacher, behavior consultant, and/or administrator.
• For students with special needs, duties may include providing for students' personal care needs (i.e. wheelchair transition, bathroom needs, recording medical and personal care needs, physical movement and lifting of students, etc.).
• Assist in supervision of students in the classroom as well as other settings on campus.
• Work effectively with and respond to people from diverse cultures or backgrounds.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Prior experience in working with students
• Bilingual (The district’s top languages are Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, and Somali)
• Knowledge of English usage, spelling, mathematics, and a basic understanding of subjects and conditions in which the Educational Assistant is to provide
• Type with accuracy, using a word processing program on the computer, as well as office machines and audio-visual equipment as
• Knowledge of classroom practices and procedures and school operations and
• Ability to project a pleasant manner and relate well to students and their requests for
• Flexibility and patience in supervising and instructing students with a variety of skill
• An understanding of and empathy for students with special needs and familiarity with techniques for instruction and assistance.
• Ability to plan and organize materials for use in instruction.
• Ability to work harmoniously with others and to communicate appropriately and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with students, parents, and staff.
• Ability to maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students and staff.
• Ability to complete and demonstrate competency from specialized training sessions by professionals (RN, Physical Therapist, Nutritionist, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Behavioral Interventionist, Assistive Technologist).
• Maintain certification in district-required trainings such as Crisis Intervention, Medication Administration, First Aid/CPR, and other certifications specific to the job assignment.

Physical Demands: Moderate to high degree of physical stamina, with frequent lifting of up to 10 pounds and the possibility of lifting in excess of 50 pounds required in the physical assistance of students with special needs. Ability to move freely to various locations within the classroom and other supervisory settings (cafeteria/school grounds). Frequent standing, walking, sitting, and bending. Exposure to noise and activity of a school setting. Exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Work with frequent interruptions and maintain emotional control under stress. Use standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment.

Education and Training Required: Must have HS diploma or equivalent or willingness to obtain within 12 months. Must have the equivalent of 2 years of college(AA or 60 credits), or have passed the Work Keys (score of 4 or greater on all three assessments) or PARA Pro Test or willingness to obtain within 12 months.

Multicultural and/or bilingual candidates preferred.