Instructional Assistant Special Education I - Self Contained - Specialized Student Services

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver, under teacher’s direction, classroom work/homework and/or reinforce classroom objectives, tutoring and guided practice
• Assist the development of instructional materials and maintenance of classroom
• Assist in the collection of data on academic and behavior goals as instructed
• Implement positive behavior intervention plans for students who display challenging behaviors including verbal and physical aggression
• Respond to problem behaviors according to the student’s positive behavior intervention plan and district crisis intervention policy
• 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 students as they transition across campus
• Monitor individual and/or small student groups in classroom and/or on the playground to maintain a safe and positive learning environment; facilitate social peer interactions
• Maintain classroom and student equipment to ensure a safe environment
• Model professional, safe, responsible and respectful behavior
• Perform general clerical tasks to support the teacher in the maintenance of student files and to provide classroom materials
• Participate in various meetings to share information and/or improve one’s skills and/or knowledge
• Regular and on-time attendance required
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree or 60 college credit hours required at time of hire OR pass the ParaPro Test provided by the district free of charge
• Experience working with children

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 and willingness to work with special education students who may require specialized instruction to meet academic, social, and behavior goals
• Ability to work well with students, staff and parents; good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well in stressful situations
• Computer proficiency to include use of basic software applications (Word, Excel, etc)
• Ability to operate standard office equipment
• 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, general education staff, therapists, and administrators
• May be resource rooms, inclusion settings, or self-contained classrooms
• Supports students with disabilities, which may include intellectual, developmental, emotional, or physical disabilities
• Each day can vary based on student needs, schedules, behavior, and support plans
• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, bend, and kneel frequently throughout the day
• May need to lift or assist students who have physical disabilities, including transferring students to and from wheelchairs, standing frames, or other equipment (commonly 25-50 lbs, but sometimes more)

Employment Type: Full-time (32.5 hours per week) | Base Hourly $17.57 | Class/Calendar A11b, 9.25 months

Benefits include sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health and life insurance, and 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.