Living Skills Assistant - Self Contained - Lowell Elementary School

Assistant Teacher

Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years. East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type: Full-time (32.5-35 hours per week)

Base Hourly: $19.64

Class/Calendar: B21, 9.25 months

Benefits: Sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay: Available annually

New Hire Experience: 1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a ten-year maximum

New Hire Education: 1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher the assistant will work with students with unique medical needs that require a higher level of support and intervention. They will act as active members of the educational team in providing services to students.

Key Responsibilities:

• Transfer and/or lift students to assist them in the performance of their daily activities
• Assist students to follow individual daily schedules
• Assist students with personal hygiene to provide for and/or develop students' daily living activities and behavioral skills
• May be required to assist students who need support in addressing personal care needs due to a severe medical condition and/or physical limitations (i.e. toileting, feeding, dressing suctioning, etc.) to ensure their functioning in a school environment
• Accompany, assist and monitor students as needed in all other areas of school program outside of classroom (i.e. mainstream classes, community, vocational, transportation to and from home as appropriate, etc.)
• Evaluate specific needs/problems of students using equipment and/or aids to meet special needs for supporting health, social and behavioral goals
• Monitor individual and/or small student groups in classroom and/or on the playground to maintain a safe and positive learning environment
• Maintain classroom and student equipment to ensure a safe environment
• Perform general clerical tasks, to support the teacher in the maintenance of student files and to provide classroom materials
• Regular and on-time attendance required
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Working with individuals with disabilities (students with intellectual, developmental, or behavioral challenges)

Skills & Competencies:

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Ability to work with special needs students who may require specialized health care needs along with monitoring social and behavioral goals
• Ability to work well with students, staff and parents, good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage and respond in stressful situations
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including basic software applications (Word, Excel, etc.)
• Ability to organize and prioritize and to follow classroom guidelines as put forth by classroom teacher

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Works closely with special education teachers, therapists, and other support staff
• Can take place in classrooms, life skills labs, or community-based instruction settings
• May involve students with cognitive, physical, emotional, or behavioral needs
• Tasks change based on students' needs throughout the day
• Assisting students with mobility (including pushing wheelchairs or guiding walkers)
• May need to lift or physically assist students (usually up to 50 lbs.)

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.