PCA

Permanent Instructional Assistant

Under the direction of the certified classroom teacher and/or school administration, ESS instructional assistants supplement student education, helping all students achieve the goals set forth by their school districts, as well as state and national standards. ESS instructional assistants perform a variety of instructional and administrative duties, and often provide extra help to students with special needs and disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the implementation of each student's educational program as outlined in their IEPs and according to the schedule and routine of the classroom program
• Act as a liaison in communicating with teachers and other intermediate unit or district staff about the ongoing needs of individual students
• Provide advice and possible solutions to teacher and other support staff concerning classroom-related issues
• Document information regarding the students, including needs, strengths, gains, and problems
• Follow the behavior support plans as provided by the teacher or behavior support staff
• Escort students to lunch in cafeteria, gymnasium, music classroom, and auditorium for scheduled events
• Supervise and support students during eating activities, gym, outdoor recess, and field trips as needed
• Provide support to students attending inclusive regular education classes, assisting with modifications as directed by the teachers
• Oversee students while embarking and disembarking from school bus, as needed
• Participate in meetings to develop and update IEPs and Evaluation Reports, as requested
• Attend training sessions, in-service workshops, and update skills as necessary
• Assist students in activities of daily living and personal care skills, as needed including physically positioning students as or assisting with the mobility of students with physical challenges
• Assist with administrative duties as directed such as recording grades, setting up equipment, preparing materials for instruction, etc.
• Promote a safe and orderly classroom environment; take all reasonable precautions to protect students, facilities, and materials
• Demonstrate cooperation and flexibility in performing other related duties as assigned by school administration and ESS
• Understand and adhere to all ESS and intermediate unit policies and procedures

Qualifications

• A minimum of 48 college credits or a high school diploma with Para Ed. Certification
• Pennsylvania State Police Clearance
• Child Abuse Clearance
• Must Be CPR, CPI, and First Aid Certified
• FBI Fingerprinting
• School Health Form: Physical and Tuberculosis Test
• Pennsylvania Department of Education Form 6004: Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification

Privacy Information

When you apply for a position with ESS, we collect personal information such as:

• Contact details (name, email, phone, address)
• Application materials (resume, work history, education, references)
• Information you choose to provide during the hiring process (interviews, assessments, background checks, as permitted by law)

We use this information to:

• Evaluate your candidacy and qualifications
• Conduct interviews and background checks
• Manage our recruitment and hiring processes
• Comply with applicable legal obligations

We do not sell or share applicant personal information. We retain it as long as necessary for recruitment, compliance, and potential future opportunities.

You may have rights under U.S. state privacy laws, including to request access, correction, deletion, or limitation of your personal information.

For details about our practices and your rights, please review our full Privacy Notices below.

ESS Diversity Statement

ESS continuously works to create an environment where all its employees - regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, age or abilities - can work to the fullest of their potential in a fair and welcoming space. Believing that a diverse company is more innovative and successful, we have embraced diversity to ensure that we are empowered to make sure that "Every day counts" for our employees, the students, and the schools we serve nationwide.

ESS is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.