Exceptional Education Assistant

Job Details

Job Location:

Head Quarters - Chattanooga, TN 37404

Position Type:
Full Time Education Level: High School or Equivalent Salary Range: $15.50 - $15.50 Hourly

Job Shift: Morning Job Category:
Education

Job Title:

Exceptional Education Assistant Department:
Children’s Services / Education

Reports to:

Director of Education Date Prepared:
August 7th 2026

The Student Support Specialist provides individualized educational, behavioral, social, and personal support to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in a structured school environment. Working as an integral member of the educational team, the Student Support Specialist assists students in achieving academic, functional, communication, behavioral, and life-skill goals identified in their Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individual Support Plan (ISP), Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), and Individual Crisis Support Plan (ICSP), when applicable.

This position promotes student independence, dignity, safety, and inclusion while fostering a positive learning environment that encourages each student’s growth and success.

• The Student Support Specialist provides direct supervision and individualized support to students throughout the school day, ensuring their educational, behavioral, emotional, physical, and personal needs are met in a safe and supportive learning environment.
• The Student Support Specialist assists classroom teachers with instructional activities by providing one-on-one and small-group support, reinforcing lesson plans, adapting learning materials when appropriate, and encouraging active student participation in classroom instruction. Staff assists students in developing communication, social interaction, problem-solving, self-help, vocational, and independent living skills appropriate to each student’s abilities.
• The Student Support Specialist implements strategies outlined in each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individual Support Plan (ISP), Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), Individual Crisis Support Plan (ICSP), while using positive behavior supports, de-escalation techniques, and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) strategies as necessary to maintain a safe learning environment.
• Staff assists students with activities of daily living, including eating, personal hygiene, mobility, positioning, transfers, and other personal care and self-help needs while preserving each student's dignity, privacy, and independence.
• The Student Support Specialist monitors student health, behavior, and emotional well‑being throughout the school day, promptly communicating concerns or significant changes to teachers, nursing staff, therapists, administrators, and parents or guardians as directed.
• Staff supports students during classroom instruction, lunch, recess, physical education, vocational training, therapeutic activities, assemblies, and school-sponsored events while maintaining appropriate supervision at all times.
• The Student Support Specialist follows all school safety procedures and emergency protocols, including fire drills, severe weather procedures, lockdowns, evacuations, first aid, CPR, seizure response, Universal Precautions, and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) techniques. Staff maintain constant awareness of student safety and respond appropriately during emergencies.
• The Student Support Specialist accurately documents student attendance, behavioral observations, progress toward educational and functional goals, incidents, health concerns, medication administration, and other required records in accordance with agency policies, educational regulations, and state requirements.
• Staff collaborates with teachers,…