Instructional Assistant-Special Education

Instructional Assistant-Special Education

This recruitment is open and promotional, meaning all are welcome to apply and current employees in permanent positions are eligible to receive seniority credit and promotional placement once passing all exams. Assignments and work hours may vary dependent on student needs and are 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, 10 months per year. This position supports special education students with varying needs, including emotional, physical, behavioral or mental disabilities.

This recruitment will be used to fill substitute and regular assignments. We also have an Instructional Assistant-Behavior Intervention position that requires Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) specific training.

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, provide instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a designated mild, moderate, severe, Early Childhood, Response to Intervention (RTI) special education instructional program; perform a variety of support activities related to behavior management and classroom instruction of special education students; perform a variety of clerical support duties related to classroom activities;

assist students with developing self-help, toileting, personal hygiene, social and communication skills.

Education and experience:

Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and two years' experience working with children in a specialized learning environment.

Examination procedures and information:
The examination will consist of supplemental questions, a qualifying written examination and a qualifications appraisal interview. The examination process will be held on a continuous, as needed basis. Qualified applicants submitting applications after the review date will be considered in the next examination process.

Job responsibilities:

Provide instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a designated mild, moderate, severe, Early Childhood, Response to Intervention (RTI) special education instructional program; communicate with teachers regarding the individual needs of special education students. Provide instructional assistance to individual or groups of special education and Response to Intervention (RTI) students in a special education or regular classroom, on campus or out in the community;

assist regular education students and special education students during mainstreamed classroom activities and various other activities as directed. Assist assigned teacher and certificated personnel with the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs); assist students with meeting the goals and objectives of their Individual Education Plan. Perform a variety of clerical duties such as preparing, typing and copying instructional materials, scoring papers and recording grades;

collect data and maintain a variety of logs; assist in keeping attendance; prepare and maintain student confidential records and files as necessary. Assist students with developing self-help, toileting, feeding, meal preparation, personal hygiene, social and communication skills; lift, push or move students in and out of wheelchairs. Assist assigned teacher with the implementation of lesson plans; assist in administering, proctoring, scoring tests and papers and charting student progress;

modify materials and explain instructions and words. Reinforce instruction to students with learning disabilities and language, communication and behavioral problems; redirect student behavior according to established techniques and procedures; confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet the individual needs of special education students. Observe and control behavior of students according to approved procedures; report progress regarding student performance and behavior.

Provide support to the teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits, operating office and classroom equipment and distributing and collecting paper, supplies and materials. Direct group activities of students as needed; assist in monitoring recesses, assemblies and playgroup activities; assist in unloading students to and from a bus or a vehicle; accompany students to other classrooms and on field trips.

Accompany students to work sites and other community sites using public transportation as directed; monitor safety of students in a variety of indoor and outdoor travel settings including educational, vocational and community based settings; teach students travel, self-advocacy, safe pedestrian skills and strategies to adapt to unfamiliar places and situations. Maintain inventory of classroom supplies and place orders as appropriate;

assist other staff with instructions and order processing. Maintain an orderly, attractive and positive learning environment; assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures. Operate a variety of classroom and office equipment including a calculator, copier, laminator, timer,…