Substitute Aide

Substitute Instructional Aide

The individual in this position is directly responsible to the program teacher and is under the general supervision of the education program's supervisor. The substitute aide receives daily assignments from the designated substitute placement staff member.

The substitute aide is employed to assist the teacher with a wide variety of instructional, self-help, behavioral, and social skills necessary for students with disabilities. In addition, the substitute instructional aide reports to a variety of work sites to fill absences of regular aide employees upon request of the supervisor or the person responsible for securing substitutes for CSIU-operated education programs.

General Educational Support:

• Assists with classroom, outdoors playground, and community-based and field trip activities to support students in safe activities and relationships.
• Assists the teacher in establishing and maintaining a clean, safe and pleasant classroom environment.
• Accompanies or assists students to and from transportation and throughout the school building and community as necessary.
• Performs routine clerical tasks, operates copying machines, assembles material for classroom assignments and performs incidental typing and computer-based tasks.
• Understands and practices confidentiality of student records and other educational information.
• Communicates with parents and other staff supporting students when requested by the teacher.
• Works cooperatively with other teachers in inclusive classroom settings and other classroom, school-based and community-based activities under the guidance of the teacher and as directed by the program supervisor or designee.

Instructional Support:

• Participate as a member of the IEP (Individualized Education Program) team at the request of the teacher.
• Provides input or learn skills related to behavior management plans for students.
• Assists the teacher with IEP-related activities.
• Assists students in small group and individual activities.
• Maintains behavior charts and other basic documentation related to student performance and progress.
• Provides positive reinforce and follow up on student learning activities.
• Uses teacher-directed methods as a pattern to individualize learning tasks.
• Measures, cuts, counts, types a variety of instructional materials.

Student Support:

• Learns specific characteristics of each child in the classroom including behavior, medical and physical conditions.
• Lifts and positions students after direction by the teacher or other qualified specialist.
• Assists teachers with the modification and maintenance of appropriate standards of behavior.
• Helps students to become self-reliant in relationship to individual and groups of their non-handicapped peers.
• Assists with positioning students and rendering various forms of personal care assistance (toileting, dressing, and grooming) as needed.
• Helps students become aware of their personal appearance and learn independent self-help skills.
• Portrays appropriate role model and guides students in learning appropriate social skills.
• Understands and practices safe physical management techniques under the direction of the teacher.
• Uses appropriate methods of communication and technology with students.

Performs other related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or designee.

Education, Experience and Skills Required:

• A high school diploma or equivalent General Education Diploma (GED).
• Understands basic characteristics of human behavior, basic communication skills (reading speaking and writing) and basic math skills.
• Ability to carry out oral and written directions.
• Demonstrates a basic understanding of students with disabilities.
• Possesses basic typing, computer and phone skills.
• Must be able to interpret and analyze information and solve problems.
• Must have ability to communicate and work effectively with colleagues, co-workers, community agency personnel, and students/trainees.
• Requires the ability to develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships using tact and diplomacy and to remain calm in unpredictable situations.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Current, approved Act 34 (PA State Police), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse Registry) and Act 114-FBI Fingerprint clearances are required and must be renewed at appropriate, specific intervals pursuant to Act 153 of 2014 (revised Act 15 of 2015).
• Current, approved Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training certificate showing completion of a minimum of three (3) hours training every five (5) years.

Professional Development:

• Attends seminars and training as it relates to individual or groups of students as assigned by immediate supervisor or designee.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to walk/stand and sit when working with students in class and transitioning students to and from classes and transportation.
• Sedentary: Able to sit for extended periods of time, occasional walking, standing (as necessary) and able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Dexterity: Finger movements (computer keyboard, calculator), eye-hand coordination (office equipment, etc.).
• Audio-Visual Requirements: Within normal range with or without correction.
• Is able to move throughout all buildings, floors and grounds.
• Worksite Environment: Primarily indoors-office setting with occasional exposure to outdoor elements/climate during the day.
• Mental demands: Steady response to unpredictable situations, ability to remain calm and productive during stressful situations. Demonstrates independent judgment, discretion and is able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to travel to and from assignments in varying locales within the CSIU region.

Time Requirement:

• This is a part time, non-exempt substitute position working on-call, as-needed to cover daily assignments.
• Attendance at work is a requirement of this position; any and all absences must be approved by the immediate supervisor.

CSIU Property and Confidentiality Requirements:

• All property, including intellectual property, materials, equipment or actual products and services developed or accrued as part of the job duties and responsibilities listed above, is the property of the CSIU. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the CSIU upon termination of employment from the CSIU.
• The person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about clients and coworkers, programs and services and any other proprietary information accrued as a result of CSIU employment or as required by state or federal laws and regulations.
• The person employed in this position must adhere to all requirements identified in the code of professionalism entitled "Ambassadors Are Professionals, Too" and CSIU Administrative Regulation 317-AR-1 CSIU Service Standards.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform their supervisor and the Director of Human Resources of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required.