Instructional Assistant - Special Education, Preschool

Noncertified Grade 21, nonexempt, non-contract position. Schedule: Monday–Friday with occasional evenings and weekends.

About the role

Under general supervision, performs a variety of instructional, technical, and clerical tasks to assist a licensed classroom teacher. Completes a wide range of tasks to meet the needs of all students and ensure quality instruction. Provides one-on-one assistance to address academic, functional, or behavioral issues and supports instructional programs relating to special-education students and their Individual Education Plans (IEP).

Responsibilities

• Follows all rules, policies, and procedures of Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) along with state and federal regulations pertaining to special-education services.
• Works with individual students or small groups to reinforce learning of skills introduced by the teacher.
• Assists the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing skills based on student individual needs, interests, and abilities.
• Implements behavior intervention plans under the direction of the teacher and/or district staff.
• Creates and modifies instructional materials to match student abilities.
• Monitors student behavior and maintains a structured classroom environment by providing positive reinforcement or redirection.
• May accompany student(s) to special-area classes or electives.
• Monitors the safety and well-being of students.
• Collaborates with the teacher to understand the needs of each student.
• Performs clerical duties: collects data, develops and maintains classroom displays, and maintains confidentiality of student information.
• Participates in professional development and trainings to maintain knowledge and skills needed to work with special-education students.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent, plus one of the following:
  • Currently pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in any field,
  • 48 semester college credits, or
  • 96 Professional Development hours and successful completion of the Work Keys Assessments.
• Considerable knowledge of classroom activities and routines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Apps.
• Working knowledge of effective methods for instructing special-education students.
• Excellent customer service and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school staff and parents/guardians.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working as a special-education teacher assistant.
• CPR and First Aid certification.

Work Environment

Classroom setting with frequent sitting and standing. Routine use of standard office equipment (computers, scanners, copiers). Medium physical work: occasionally exerting up to 50 pounds of force, frequently up to 25 pounds, and constantly up to 10 pounds to move objects. Direct contact with school staff, external agency staff, and community members.