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

About the Role

The Educational Assistant III assists in the delivery of instructional programs by helping the Teacher in implementing classroom activities, assessing student progress, and reinforcing instruction by leading small groups and individuals in supplementary exercises. This 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, and indirectly to the Classroom Teacher or Building Secretary.

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 communications 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 various non-classroom settings, including lunch, music, physical education, library, and recess.
• Oversees group activity in the classroom, including supervision of the whole class for short periods of time.
• Assists small groups or individuals with skill reinforcement or lesson assignments.
• Presents teacher-designed subject matter to students through a variety of methods, including lecture, discussion, and supervised individual and group skill development and reinforcement.
• Coordinates daily activities and instruction as directed.
• Assists in proctoring student assessments and maintenance of student records, including attendance, progress, and grades.
• Assists Teacher in measuring student-produced work products against clear rubrics or answer keys.
• Supervises various student gathering points, including playgrounds, cafeteria, bus stops, and 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 student 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 of all students and specialized support for specific students.
• Assists with other classroom duties as directed by the teacher.
• Performs various clerical duties, including word processing, phone coverage, preparing instructional materials, maintaining files and records, and interfacing with the public.
• Reports safety, sanitary, and fire hazards immediately to a supervisor.
• Complies with standards and responsibilities outlined in the District employee handbook and all other District policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. (This provision may be waived by the school district.)
• Must have one of the following:
  • An Associate degree from an accredited institution.
  • Evidence of completion of two years of post-high school study.
  • A passing score on the District's assessment of reading, writing, and math skills.
• Must possess a 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.
• Must be 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 in a school building, primarily within the classroom and also in other areas of the campus and grounds. The incumbent must be able to:

• Stand, walk, and sit for long periods of time.
• Observe multiple students across large and small physical spaces.
• Attend to individual student needs while ensuring other students are not unattended.
• Walk quickly and assume various physical postures, including pushing, pulling, lifting, bending, kneeling, and reaching.
• Work with students with unique physical needs, some of whom will require significant physical assistance, while others may demonstrate hostile and violent behaviors.
• Possess dexterity in fingers and hands to operate standard classroom equipment.
• Have eyesight sufficient to read materials and monitor student activity.
• Work outdoors supervising students in a variety of weather conditions.

Potential exposures include, but are not limited to: inclement weather; allergens; blood-borne pathogens; dirt; odors; dust; cold or hot temperatures; and erratic student behavior.

Pay

$18.80 - $22.60 per hour, depending upon approved accepted experience.

• Longevity pay after completion of 6 years of employment.
• Annual COLA pay increase (as negotiated with Oregon School Employees Association).
• Annual step pay increase awarded to eligible employees.

Benefits

• 8 paid holidays annually.
• 10 paid sick leave days per year.
• 2 paid personal leave days per year.
• 5 paid bereavement leave days per year, per occurrence.
• $80.17 per month toward either Section 125 or 403B (if employee elects to enroll in either a Section 125 or 403B, the district will match an additional $40 per month).
• $60 per month employer match into a tax-sheltered annuity when employee contributes $35 per month.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 6% district-paid contribution towards Oregon Public Employees Retirement System.

Schedule

• 5.75 hours per day.
• 184 days per year (August - June).