Special Education Assistant

Special Program Assistant Specialized ProgramsSalary Range: $18.89 - $25.32 Reports to: Building Principal or DesigneeThis position is 183 days with 6 paid holidays, paid sick leave and paid flexible personal leave (3 days per year). If hired after the start of the school year, days and leave are pro-rated. The McMinnville School District provides generous personal and family benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage.Job Summary: To improve student achievement by assisting a licensed teacher in the implementation of an educational program for students to perform instructional activities in support of the prescribed lesson plan; assisting in providing a safe, healthy educational environment for students and performing other duties as assigned. In addition to the job duties of an Instructional Assistant, this position performs a variety of instructional, training, and/or support duties to assist Special Education teachers in instruction, supervision, and education of students with severe physical and mental special needs that generally require placement in self-contained classrooms. The employee may also be temporarily assigned in one-on-one teacher-to-student situations when the students have the need for additional assistance (e.g., physical disabilities requiring considerable support).Essential Job Functions:Works under the supervision of an appropriately licensed teacher or administrator who assigns the instructional activities that the instructional assistant carries out.Implements behavior support and intervention plans as directed by a teacher.Documents behavior of students to assist teachers in assessing progress with education plans.Maintain, or assist in maintaining, student weekly progress reports.Assists through one on one and small group instruction and tutoring; and can include assistance in the testing of students and performing a variety of clerical duties in support of the teacher.May assist students with common daily tasks such as eating, dressing, toileting, to include diapering.May provide health services and assistance to include, but not limited to, changing dressings, assisting with oxygen, assisting with insulin, assisting with nebulizers or inhalers, and assisting with walkers, wheelchairs, canes, crutches.Teach independent living skills such as cooking, laundry, general personal hygiene and cleanliness.Assist in implementing physical and occupational therapy plans by working with students to increase range of motion, mobility, and positioning.Takes action, or assist in taking action, to seclude or restrain students who are at risk of harming themselves or others by following school/district-approved restraint/seclusion procedures.May intervene with students to implement physical and/or behavioral strategies.Help support students in developing positive interpersonal relationships with peers and adults.Promote safety of the students through the application of the district's student management and safety guidelines.May participate in IEP planning and assessment meetings to provide direct input and recommendations on student progress and needs.Monitors individual students, classroom and/or playground activities for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.Takes steps to intervene when students are not in control, not in the proper location, or may be in dangerous or unsafe situations.Responsible for being familiar with the school/district policies and procedures which govern the work. Prompt and regular attendance is required.Other Job Functions:Maintains classroom equipment, materials, and students' files, records, etc. for the purpose of ensuring availability of items as may be required.Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.Confers, under the supervision of the teacher, with teachers, parents, and/or appropriate community agency personnel for the purpose of assisting in evaluation of students' progress and/or implementing of students' objectives.Exercises discretion and assures protection of student confidentiality consistent with the direction and guidance of staff, administrators, and school/district policies and procedures.Participates in various meetings and professional development activities for the purpose of sharing information and/or improving one's skills/knowledge.Performs other tasks as assigned.Assists with the transition of students, including supervision of students to and from the bus, supervision of loading and unloading of buses, and assisting with the transportation needs of students.Essential Job Requirements - Qualifications:Experience Required: Prior job related experience, paid or volunteer, with school age children.Education Required: Completed associates or higher degree, completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (72 college quarter hours or more) or met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics.Licenses, Certifications, Bonding, and/or Testing Required: Oregon Department of Education Fingerprint Clearance.Language Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedural manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of students, staff and parents.Reasoning Ability- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.Other skills and abilities - Works well with others. Focuses on solving conflict; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas; and contributes to building a positive team spirit. Works well in the presence of children. Able to be trained in instructional and behavior intervention methodologies in such content areas as reading, writing, and mathematics, and in such areas as student restraint, safety, medication, and physical management and intervention systems. Able to work in an environment with frequent interruptions and changing tasks and priorities. Able to assist, console, and manage students who may be emotional, distraught, or frustrated. Able to remain calm, focused and in control when working with students, parents, guardians, and community members who may be upset. Able to follow written and verbal directions and take the initiative to seek clarity and take action when needed. Be or become knowledgeable and supportive of classroom management and student discipline procedures. Cultivate and model a respectful working and learning environment. Ability to work with a diverse population. Ability to respect confidential information. Computer skills to include use of word processing programs, database programs and the Google Suite of products.Physical Demands:While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, walk long distances, talk, lift, carry, move about, hear and speak.The employee must lift and/or move 50 pounds, and may assist, move, or restrain students with greater weight when required to intervene in student safety issues.Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials during the course of their duties.The employee may be exposed to infectious disease as carried by students, exposed to student noise and learning resource noise levels. The employee may be exposed to aggressive student behaviors including biting, hitting, kicking, and throwing of objects, and may be required to intervene with physical or behavioral intervention strategies.May be required to wear and utilize safety equipment designed to minimize the risk of injury to the employee and to the student.The employee may be exposed to bodily fluids and waste while performing duties. The employee may be required to travel on school owned or leased vehicles while supervising and assisting students.Workplace Expectations:Work effectively with and respond to people from diverse cultures or backgrounds.Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, and dress in a neat, clean, and appropriate professional manner for the assignment and work setting.Have regular and punctual attendance.Confer regularly with immediate supervisor.Follow all District policies, work procedures, and reasonable requests by proper authority.Maintain the integrity of confidential information relating to students, staff, or District patrons.Terms of Employment: 9+ months. Performance of this position will be evaluated annually in accordance with Board policy on evaluation of classified staff.