Special Services Assistant​/Paraprofessional

Special Services Assistant

The job of "Special Services Assistant" (SSA) is done for the purpose of assisting under supervision of the Special Education Teacher, Principal, Associate Principal and/or Director of Special Services to implement a student's IEP. The instructional staff could include a Special Education Teacher, General Education Teacher, Behavior Specialist, Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, School Nurse or other service provider.

Essential job functions include:

• Assisting in providing an environment in which students with exceptional needs can have access to the instructional program and available resources; assisting with implementation of instructional plans for individual students; implementation of goals in student's IEP's; assisting with implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans and keeping students focused and on task during group activities; assisting students working on individualized programs in speech development, cognitive, self-help, gross and fine motor, social-emotional, toileting and vocational skills and assisting students with the use of specialized equipment and modification of general equipment.
• Preparing lesson materials under the supervision of the teacher; maintaining and organizing students' records and files under the supervision of the teacher; maintaining individual treatment and medication records for student(s) as directed by the School Nurse or appropriate administrator and maintaining the confidentiality and security of sensitive information.
• Providing intensive support to students with special needs in the Instructional Support Program; in small groups or one-on-one in the general education or special education settings or on the playground; attending IEP meetings as needed.
• Performing necessary services required for the physical, social-emotional and academic needs of the special education student.
• Maintaining data logs regarding student's performances in various instructional and IEP objectives in order to measure student progress; assisting with instructional related activities such as correcting tests and homework, organizing and implementing planned activities with supervision; performing duties related to the student's specific disability as may be assigned.
• Monitoring safety and teaching social skills in a variety of settings including lunch, recess, field trips and the classroom; acting as a conduit between the general education and special education teacher; assisting students.
• Managing students with extreme behaviors; incorporating sensory activities under Occupational Therapist's supervision to help calm specific students or teach specific skills; assisting students with special physical needs with mobility, structural adaptation, personal hygiene requirements, eating requirements, washing hands, etc., when necessary; providing life sustaining procedures as identified in the assigned student's IEP, and providing specialized health care which includes, but is not limited to, specialized feeding, dispensing medication, tracheotomy, tube suctioning, etc.
• Supporting students in general education classes by helping them access the general curriculum and implementing modifications and accommodations as specified in the IEP.
• Maintaining appropriate communication with parents via phone calls or written communication as directed by supervisor(s).

Job requirements include experience working with children in an educational setting, preferably experience working in Special Education; experience in the care and supervision of students with special needs, autism, emotional disturbances, behavioral disorders, behavior management and non-aversive behavior management techniques highly desirable.

Skills, knowledge, and abilities required include skills to perform generalized activities such as organizing classroom materials and preparing student work areas; operates basic office equipment and familiarity with MAC and/or PC operating systems; learns specific methodology to help instruct students and is responsible for implementing instruction using methodology; knowledge to prepare lesson materials under the supervision of the teacher; abilities to learn and understand the specific physical, emotional and behavioral needs of students;

learn the instructional methods and techniques used on the assigned program; supervise and maintain the trust and confidence of students in learning and recreational activities; work independently with general guidance; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work; from time to time may be required to perform a different education duty as requested by the Principal, Associate Principal or Special Education Teacher and perform related duties as assigned.

Education required is a high school diploma or equivalent. Must have AA degree or have passed the NCLB compliant Instructional Assistant exam; experience in working with…