Program Assistant

Program Assistant

Title: Program Assistant Union Status: ESPA Based on the official school calendar

Work Year: Reports To: Building Administration

Salary: $16.40 per hour Excellent Benefits

The Program Assistant provides instructional support work in providing assistance to teachers in the daily management and instruction of students. The employee is responsible for performing clerical and instructional tasks to relieve teachers of routine activities and to help carry out daily classroom activities. The work involves observing and reporting on the behavior and learning of students and closely monitoring the needs of children including basic personal needs and physical help. These professionals reinforce lessons by tutoring individual students or small groups.

Responsibilities include maintaining confidentiality, assisting teachers in providing a well-organized environment, working with individual students or small groups to reinforce instructional material, attending training and professional development, assisting with non-instructional classroom duties, helping prepare and distribute lesson materials, assisting in monitoring student progress, assisting the teacher in keeping the classroom neat and orderly, assisting in preparing and arranging bulletin boards, assisting with supervision of students in and out of the classroom, assisting with preparing and maintaining student records, assisting teachers and students with technology, assisting with escorting and supervising students within and outside the school, participating in collaborative planning for instruction, assisting the teacher in preparing the classroom for the opening of school and in storing materials and getting the classroom ready for closing of school, demonstrating cooperation, openness for growth, and willingness to contribute as a productive team member, performing clerical duties for teacher when necessary, monitoring student progress by checking work in progress, making corrections and reporting results to the teacher, assisting in organizing and maintaining classroom materials, preparing center projects and setting up weekly center areas, correcting and grading papers, supervising testing and makeup work, substituting teach as needed, monitoring and ensuring appropriate student behavior, checking and responding to District email at a minimum of once daily.

Additional job requirements include supervision of students both indoor and outdoor, such as to/from the bus each day and/or lunch/recess assistance resulting in exposure to all weather conditions. Have the ability to work from home, in the event work from home is provided by the district, including the ability to access WIFI.

Job requirements include strong organizational skills, understanding, patience, emotional stability and a positive attitude for working with children, excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Must possess a minimum of a Paraprofessional License or Substitute Teaching License through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Paraprofessional approval from the Illinois State Board of Education. Prior school experience a plus.

Physical demands include sitting, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, talking or hearing, reaching with hands and arms, standing, walking, lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or moving up to a minimum of 20 pounds or more. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee occasionally types using a keyboard. In the work environment, the employee is regularly exposed to video display and works in a classroom environment. Occasional opportunities may be available for work in the evening or on weekends. The employee is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The employee will have contact with the public which requires appropriate demeanor and apparel. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.