Pathfinder K-8 - Special Education Assistant ; Distinct - FTE

Special Education Instructional Assistant

This position serves as a 1-on-1 Special Education Instructional Assistant to a male student in a distinct classroom, supporting a teenage student with Down syndrome who is working primarily on community safety and social skills. His 1-on-1 would be expected to accompany him on community outings as well as help him continue academic instruction in the school. Student engages in elopement behaviors as well as some behaviors that will require training from the lead teacher in order to follow a behavior plan.

The student is fun, relational, and requires a safe, trusting connection with an adult that can maintain firm boundaries, yet flexibility and the ability to encourage appropriate behavior.

Candidate will need to provide support with elopement, restroom use, lifting student from the floor as needed, and during meal times and transitions. Behavioral and academic support with the student is necessary throughout the day. Student benefits from a calm, energetic, physically flexible, patient person who has a good understanding of positive behavior support, de-escalation strategies, and is willing to be coached in order to best serve the student.

The primary responsibilities of this position include:

• Building relationship
• Maintaining safety (especially preventing elopement)
• Behavior support
• Transition support
• Toileting support
• Responding to self-injurious behaviors
• Responding to aggressive behaviors
• Support with focus during academic tasks

To learn more about our special education service types, please follow this link to the SPS Special Education Department website.

The job of Special Education Assistant/ISE-203 is done for the purpose/s of assisting in the supervision, care and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom or in a self-contained classroom; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior during non-classroom time; providing information to appropriate school personnel; and attending IEP meetings.

Special Education Assistant job duties vary according to the school/program needs, i.e., generalist, severe/profound, behavior disorder, hearing impaired, autism, etc.

Other functions include:

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Reporting relationships:

Reports to building Principal if assigned through staffing formulas. If based centrally, reports to assigned Special Education Supervisor.

Required knowledge, skills & abilities:

• Knowledge of basic math, reading, writing, and understanding complex instructions.
• Instructional procedures and practices
• Age appropriate student activities
• Safety practices and procedures
• Conflict resolution
• Stages of child development/behavior

• Skills in adhering to safety practices, operating office equipment, and preparing accurate records.
• Ability to gather and collate data, use job-related equipment, and work with diverse groups.
• Problem solving with data and equipment.

Responsibilities include:

• Working under direct supervision using standardized procedures.
• Leading, guiding, and coordinating others.
• Operating within a defined budget.

Working environment:

• Seldom lifting up to 50 pounds; carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity.
• May need to handle medically fragile children, attend to students' physical needs, which may include toileting, changing diapers, tube feeding and assisting menstruating students; support structured learning and behavior shaping activities.
• Generally the job requires 45% sitting, 25% walking, and 30% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Typical qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least one of the following:
• Have received a qualifying score on the Education Testing Service para educator assessment as published by PESB.
• Hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Have earned seventy-two quarter credits or forty-eight semester credits at the one hundred level or higher at an accredited college or university.
• Have completed an apprenticeship as a para educator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.
• Valid State of Washington Driver's License or evidence of equivalent mobility.
• Secure Training, CPR, First Aid.
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint Background Clearance.