Special Education Instructional Assistant

Special Education Instructional Assistant

Title: Special Education Instructional Assistant

Assignment: School year; 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Occupational Group: NTESPA – Instructional

Supervisor: Instructional Assistant Manager;
Department Chair

Starting Rate: $21.71/hour

General Responsibilities: This work involves close interaction with staff and students, with the primary emphasis on the implementation of specialized educational programs. This employee works under the direction of certified staff, and is expected to exercise independent judgment and discretion, maintain confidentiality, react appropriately in crisis situations, and exhibit initiative, creativity and organizational skills.

Qualifications:

• Possession of Illinois State Board of Education Educator License with Stipulations – Paraprofessional or other ISBE license that requires a college degree.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid School Bus Driver Permit for the purpose of transporting students to community activities, vocational sites, etc.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Special Education high school students’ needs and behavioral issues.
• Strong subject knowledge in core academic area or areas preferred.
• Experience with special needs student population.
• Strong behavior management skills;
  Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention (NVPCI) training preferred.
• Physical ability to move about frequently in the classroom and in various other parts of the school; ability to stand, stretch, lift and bend as required to assist students.
• Ability to use various types of software applications and assistive technology.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly and distinctly with staff and students.

Position Expectations:

• Providing support in a job situation on and off campus;
• Communicating clearly with staff concerning students’ progress;
• Working as a team member with department staff;
• Providing physical assistance for students including toileting, use of NVPCI, and feeding;
• Transporting students as needed.

Assists students under the direction of certified staff in the various programs in the department:

• Transition Program – Working with special needs students with a variety of disabilities. On campus: working with students on physical fitness, budgeting, menu planning, cooking, social skills, and independent living skills. Off campus: serving as a job coach working with a student at a job, teaching job skills and making adaptations to facilitate the student's independence on the job, and acting as a liaison between the job supervisor and the lead teachers in the classroom.
• Resource Room – Working with special education students in both co‑taught classes and regular education classes; note‑taking, teaching social skills, job coaching and adapting curriculum. Working closely with the lead teacher and the student’s case manager.
• Learning Strategies and New Trier Learning Center – Working with students who have emotional and behavior issues; requires patience, strong limit‑setting skills, the ability to make connections with non‑traditional students, implementing behavior plans, collecting data, and adapting curriculum. Working closely with the lead teacher. Provides academic assistance to students as necessary.
• Educational Life Skills (ELS) – Working with special needs students with a variety of physical, cognitive and social disabilities in a self‑contained classroom focusing on multiple levels of academics, life skills, social skills, and behavior management.

Continues job performance enhancement by participating in professional growth activities.

Projects a positive image of the district to students, staff and others, and exhibits a positive employee attitude.

Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

FLSA: Non‑exempt

Link to ESP Salary Schedule

Link to ESP Benefits

Seniority level: Not Applicable

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Education

Industries: Education