Teacher Assistant, Special Education (Gr. K-6)

Job Description

Job Description

Teacher Assistant, Special Education (Gr. K-6) - Certified

Full Position Title : Certified Teacher Assistant, Special Education (Gr. K-6) 

Program : Special Education at R&E May School 

Type:  Full-time; Non-Exempt  

Pay Range: $18.91 - $24.05 (Hourly) 

Schedule : Monday - Friday; 8am-3:30pm, Wednesdays: 8am - 4pm

Location:  Albany, New York 

Note : Offering Reimbursement for TA Certification Exam and Workshop Requirements for those who are not currently certified** 

Job Ref. # : 334

About St. Catherine’s Center for Children

St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a non-profit organization located in the Greater Capital Region of New York. We offer a wide array of human services designed to meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and adults, including residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more. 

St. Catherine’s is committed to cultivating a culture where all employees feel safe to bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. We are invested in fostering an equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace; collaboratively embracing mindfulness, relevance, respect and solidarity.

• Our Mission: St. Catherine's Center for Children provides a comprehensive range of human services designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families, and adults we serve.
• Our Vision: Our willingness to embrace change and develop new services is, and will remain, our guiding philosophy as we support the human service needs of our community.

Position Overview & Organizational Relationships

The Certified Teacher Assistant (TA) supports the instructional program under the direction of a certified teacher, consistent with New York State Education Department (NYSED) regulations. The Teacher Assistant works collaboratively to implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), support student engagement, and foster a safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed learning environment that promotes academic, social, and emotional growth. The TA reports to and is directly supervised by the R & E May School Principal.

Requirements & Specifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Licensure & Certification: Current New York State Teaching Assistant Certification (Level I, II, III, or Pre-Professional), OR active enrollment in a program leading to certification per NYSED timelines. Must be on track to obtain the NYS Level 1 certificate within 90 days of hire - If you are not currently certified, we offer reimbursement of exam and workshop requirements **.
• Student Supervision: Ability to actively supervise students, including maintaining safety protocols for students prone to elopement (leaving assigned areas).
• Collaboration & Communication: Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with a proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-based educational environment.
• Professional Integrity: A documented record of integrity, reliability, dependability, and ethical judgment.
• Confidentiality: Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive student data with strict discretion and confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Specialized Experience: Prior experience supporting children with diverse learning, social, emotional, behavioral, or developmental needs.
• Crisis Intervention: Valid training in crisis prevention and intervention (e.g., Therapeutic Crisis Intervention / TCI) and the ability to safely deploy approved intervention strategies.
• Environmental Adaptability: Ability to remain highly engaged, attentive, and adaptable throughout the school day in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include, but is not limited to:

Instructional Support

• Assist the certified teacher in implementing lesson plans aligned with IEP goals and NYSED learning standards.
• Provide small group and individualized instructional support to reinforce learning and skill development.
• Support differentiated instruction by adapting materials and strategies to meet diverse student needs.
• Reinforce positive learning behaviors and engagement through proactive and responsive strategies.
• Takes over instructional delivery, to maintain minimum disruption to programing when the teacher is not present in the room.

Student Support & Supervision

• Provide consistent supervision to ensure student safety across all school environments (classroom, cafeteria, transitions, outdoor spaces).
• Utilize trauma-informed practices to support students’ emotional regulation, coping, and social skill development.
• Respond to student needs using de-escalation strategies and supportive interventions aligned with approved training models (e.g., TCI).
• Maintain awareness of student triggers and proactively implement supports to reduce escalation.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work under the direction of the certified teacher and collaborate with related service providers and school staff.
• Share observations of student progress, behavior, and needs to inform instructional decision-making.
• Participate in team meetings as appropriate to support student programming and outcomes.

Classroom Environment

• Help maintain a structured, predictable, and inclusive classroom environment that supports all learners that leads to strong student outcomes. 
• Promote a classroom culture grounded in respect, safety, and belonging.
• Assist in organizing materials and maintaining a clean, safe, and engaging learning space.

Data Collection & Documentation

• Collect and record student data as directed by the teacher to monitor progress toward IEP goals.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with school procedures and regulatory expectations.
• Protect student confidentiality in compliance with FERPA and NYSED regulations.

Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in required professional development, including training related to trauma-informed practices and student support.
• Actively pursue professional development opportunities to enhance skills and competencies in alignment with individual strengths, areas of need, and program goals.
• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and adherence to school policies and NYSED expectations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervising administrator.

At St. Catherine’s Center for Children, we believe in taking care of the people who take care of our community. We offer competitive compensation alongside a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wealth, and professional growth:

Financial Security & Future Planning

• Pension Plan: Secure your future with a retirement pension plan featuring a generous agency contribution.
• 403(b) Retirement Savings: Pre-tax savings options to further build your nest egg.
• Student Loan Forgiveness: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, employment here qualifies eligible staff for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program .
• Expense Reimbursements: Travel and mileage reimbursements for any role-related transit.

Health & Well-being

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Choice of robust Medical, Dental, and Vision plans to fit your needs.
• Well-being Reimbursement: A $600 annual benefit dedicated to supporting your personal wellness journey.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous Combined Leave Time (CLT) plus paid holidays so you can rest and recharge.
• Life Insurance: Fully employer-paid, automatic life insurance coverage at no cost to you.

Professional Growth & Culture

• Paid Certifications & Training: Fully covered training updates, including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and CPR/AED/First Aid.
• Tuition Assistance: Financial support for continuing education and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Career Advancement: Clear pathways for professional development and internal career growth.
• Our Culture: Enjoy the comfort of a welcoming, business-casual work environment rooted in our core values of Mindfulness, Relevance, Respect, and Solidarity.

** Please note: To qualify for specific benefits, certain terms and conditions may apply.

St. Catherine’s Center for Children is deeply committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment and is proud to be an