Educational Assistant III - Full-Time (Special Education/MAPS)

Full-time position, 7.5 hours per day on a 184-day calendar (August – June). Building assignment to be determined.

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting pay: $18.80 – $22.60 per hour, based on approved experience
• Longevity pay after 6 years of employment
• Annual cost-of-living adjustment (as negotiated with Oregon School Employees Association)
• Annual step pay increase for eligible employees
• 8 paid holidays per year
• 10 paid sick leave days per year
• 2 paid personal leave days per year
• 5 paid bereavement leave days per occurrence
• Up to $2,193 per month district-paid contribution toward full-family medical, dental, and vision insurance (for full-time employees)
• $500 per month opt-out stipend for employees who demonstrate other qualifying employer-sponsored group medical coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 6% district-paid contribution to Oregon Public Employees Retirement System
• $60 per month employer match into a tax-sheltered annuity when employee contributes $35 per month

About the Role

The Educational Assistant III assists in delivering instructional programs by helping the Teacher implement classroom activities, assess student progress, and reinforce instruction by leading small groups and individuals in supplementary exercises. The role provides intensive support to special-needs students, including hands-on guidance in developing essential life skills and specialized support for students who are unable to assist themselves.

Reports to the Principal or Assistant Principal; works under the specific direction of a Teacher.

Responsibilities

• Assists in implementing classroom learning exercises planned by the Teacher
• Works directly with special-needs students to provide transition programs, adaptive strategies, life-skills practice, and remedial work
• Assists in providing for the nutritional, health, and communication needs of special-needs students
• Assists in the physical management of special-needs students, including lifting, moving, positioning, and restraining
• Assists special-needs students with essential bodily functions, including feeding, toileting, diapering, catheterizing, and implementing any necessary medical protocols
• Escorts and supervises special-needs students in non-classroom settings (lunch, music, physical education, library, recess)
• Oversees group activity in the classroom, including short periods of whole-class supervision
• Assists small groups or individuals with skill reinforcement or lesson assignments
• Presents teacher-designed subject matter through lecture, discussion, and supervised skill development
• Coordinates daily activities and instruction as directed
• Assists in proctoring student assessments and maintaining student records (attendance, progress, grades)
• Assists Teacher in measuring student-produced work against clear rubrics or answer keys
• Supervises student gathering points (playgrounds, cafeteria, bus stops, hallways)
• Assists in classroom set-up and maintenance of materials and supplies
• Corrects student work and distributes instructional materials
• Confers with teaching staff or parents about student progress and provides observational feedback on behavior
• Assists in ordering, preparing, and administering instructional materials
• Assists in preparing for IEP meetings and in the implementation and tracking of IEP data
• Assists in behavioral management, including modeling appropriate behavior and responding to discipline problems
• Accompanies students on school bus routes, providing general supervision and specialized support
• Performs various clerical duties (word processing, phone coverage, preparing instructional materials, maintaining files, interfacing with the public)
• Reports safety, sanitary, and fire hazards immediately to a supervisor
• Complies with all District policies and procedures

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (may be waived by the school district)
• One of the following:
  • Associate degree from an accredited institution
  • Evidence of completion of two years of post-high school study
  • Passing score on the District’s assessment of reading, writing, and math skills
• General knowledge of English language arts and mathematics
• Must complete student restraint training within 30 days of hire
• Must be willing and able to participate in training and receive additional certification (e.g., CPI, First Aid, epinephrine auto-injector)
• Must pass a criminal background check
• Able to read, write, understand, and follow multi-step written and verbal instructions in English

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The Educational Assistant III works primarily in a classroom and other areas of the school campus and grounds. The role requires:

• Standing, walking, and sitting for long periods
• Observing multiple students across large and small physical spaces
• Attending to individual student needs while ensuring other students are supervised
• Walking quickly and assuming various physical postures (pushing, pulling, lifting, bending, kneeling, reaching)
• Providing significant physical assistance to students with unique needs, including those who may demonstrate hostile or violent behaviors
• Dexterity in fingers and hands to operate standard classroom equipment
• Eyesight sufficient to read materials and monitor student activity
• Outdoor supervision of students in various weather conditions

Potential exposures include inclement weather, allergens, blood-borne pathogens, dirt, odors, dust, extreme temperatures, and erratic student behavior. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.