Educational Assistant I, II, III - Waiakea High

About the Role

This posting is for various Educational Assistant positions, with the authorized level being Educational Assistant III. Applications are also accepted for Educational Assistant I and II levels in the event of recruiting difficulties.

Pay

• Educational Assistant I, SR-10: $3,019.78 per month
• Educational Assistant II, SR-12: $3,260.76 per month
• Educational Assistant III, SR-14: $3,526.98 per month

The advertised salary is based on full-time employment and includes shortage and school year differentials, if applicable.

Responsibilities

Educational Assistants provide paraprofessional support in one of the following ways:

• Independently perform various academic, instruction-related support activities, tutor students in a specified aspect of knowledge as directed by the teacher, and observe and report on student progress and difficulties.
• Independently provide social, vocational, and daily living instruction to students with disabilities in a school and/or community setting to enable them to function as independently as possible. Observe and report on student progress and difficulties and make suggestions to modify techniques and tasks based on prior experience.
• Independently perform assigned counseling support activities. Develop rapport with students, encourage them to express their problems, observe and report on student progress and difficulties, and carry out pre-approved activities with students which promote a healthy self-concept, develop social skills, and help provide early identification of special needs.
• Independently provide articulation reinforcement lessons and repetitive drills to correct/improve speech sounds as instructed and guided by the speech pathologist. May receive training related to common speech/language disorders and problems and the methods and techniques used in speech therapy to correct them.

Requirements

Education Requirements

Graduation from high school or equivalent and one of the following, as described by the Federal Government's No Child Left Behind Act of 2001:

• Successful completion of an examination approved by the Hawaii State Department of Education (Department), such as the ParaPro or ParaPathways Assessment provided by the Education Testing Service (ETS).
• At least 48 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution recognized by the Department, which included 3 credits in mathematics and 3 credits in English.
• An associate degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Department.

Experience Requirements

Except for the substitutions provided, applicants must meet the following experience requirements:

Class Title General Experience (years*) Specialized Experience (years*) Educational Assistant I 0 0 Educational Assistant II 1 0 Educational Assistant III 1 1

*One (1) year of experience is defined as a school year, which is approximately 180 instructional days in Hawaii.

General Experience: Paid or volunteer experience which involved direct interaction with people and demonstrated the ability to provide and elicit information, observe, evaluate, and take action or report accurately on different situations. Examples include serving on school or community committees, advising youth groups, or participating in parent/teacher/student meetings and activities.

Specialized Experience: Work experience providing direct academic, personal, social, vocational development, or behavioral services to children, students, and/or individuals with disabilities, preferably in an educational setting supporting professional staff.

Additional Requirements

• Some positions require possession of a current, valid driver's license.
• Some positions require the ability to lift and carry up to 65 pounds and/or lift and carry up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Substitutions Allowed

• Possession of a Child Development Associate credential, or completion of a related program from an accredited institution recognized by the Department or an approved community organization may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of Specialized Experience.
• Successful completion of 15 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of General Experience up to a maximum of one (1) year.
• Successful completion of 15 baccalaureate-level semester credits in Education or closely related field from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of Specialized Experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.
• Possession of an associate degree from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one (1) year of General Experience.
• Possession of an associate degree in Education or closely related field from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for all General and Specialized Experience.
• Possession of a bachelor degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for all General and Specialized Experience.
• For high school graduates from a Department school, each of the following may substitute for one (1) year of Specialized Experience up to a maximum of two (2) years:
  • Completion of the Level 4 course in either the Teaching As a Profession (TAP) or Learning Support Professionals (LSP) program.
  • Possession of one (1) credit for relevant work-based learning (internship, fieldwork, etc.) through the TAP or LSP programs.
• Excess Specialized Experience may be substituted for the General Experience.

Quality of Experience: Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant's overall experience must have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Benefits

• Holidays, Personal Leave, and Sick Leave: Many employees enjoy paid holidays, personal leave, and sick leave during the school year provided that all conditions under the respective collective bargaining agreement are met.
• Health Insurance: If eligible, the State pays a part of the premiums for each employee's enrollment in a State-sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plan.
• Group Life Insurance: The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees and retirees.
• Premium Conversion Plan: Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.
• Retirement Plan: The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees with at least 10 years of credited service and who have reached 62 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and are 55 years old may retire and receive benefits.
• Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA): If eligible, Department employees are able to participate in a tax shelter annuity program. The TSA plan allows eligible employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to an employee-selected investment service provider authorized to provide TSA products.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers employees a tax-deferred (sheltered) retirement investment program. This program is an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several investment options are available.
• Temporary Disability Insurance: Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non-work related injury or illness under this program.
• Social Security: As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee's social security account.
• Workers' Compensation: If an employee is injured while on the job, benefits covering medical expenses and partial wage support may be available through workers' compensation.
• Union & Collective Bargaining: Employees have the right to join the union for collective bargaining with the State.

Schedule

Payday is on the 5th and 20th (or previous business day) of every month. New employees can expect their first paycheck within the first 3 pay periods of their start date.

Temporary positions may be extended year to year, dependent upon funding and departmental needs. Temporary employees may become eligible for promotion and transfer opportunities to permanent as well as other temporary positions after satisfactory completion of the initial probation period of at least six months.