Olympic View Elementary - Special Education Assistant (Focus) - 1.0 FTE

About the role

This position is assigned to the focus service pathway within the Special Education Department. Duties vary by school/program needs (e.g., generalist, severe/profound, behavior disorder, hearing impaired, autism).

Responsibilities

• Adapt, under the direction of the teacher, classroom activities, assignments and/or materials to provide opportunities for all special education students to participate.
• Administer tests, homework, grade papers, organize folders and other materials to assist in evaluating students’ progress and organizing individual student needs.
• Administer first aid and medical assistance as required.
• Assist students with personal care needs due to medical conditions and/or physical limitations.
• Attend meetings and in-service presentations (e.g., first aid, CPR, emergency procedures).
• Confer regularly with teachers (special education and mainstream) to assist in evaluating student progress and implementing IEP objectives.
• Confer with teachers and parents via phone calls, emails, meetings, and progress notebooks to provide information related to student progress as established in their IEP.
• Direct and implement behavioral plans for students with behavior disorders or other conditions to meet special education needs, protect safety, and provide a consistent environment.
• Instruct students in individual and group settings (academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills) to reinforce instructional objectives, implement remediation plans, and ensure student success.
• Maintain instructional materials and student files/records (adapting materials, checking papers, attendance, setting up adapted projects).
• Monitor students during assigned periods in various school environments (restrooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus loading zones, cafeteria, parking lots) to aid students and provide a safe learning environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the building Principal if assigned through staffing formulas; if based centrally, reports to the assigned Special Education Supervisor.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge

• Perform basic math including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios.
• Read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and present information to others.
• Understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.
• Instructional procedures and practices.
• Age-appropriate student activities.
• Safety practices and procedures.
• Conflict resolution.
• Stages of child development/behavior.

Skills

• Perform multiple, non-technical tasks with potential need to upgrade skills to meet changing job conditions.
• Adhere to safety practices.
• Operate standard office equipment and use pertinent software applications.
• Prepare and maintain accurate records.

Abilities

• Gather and/or collate data; use job-related equipment.
• Work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data using defined and similar processes; operate equipment using standardized methods.
• Work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with similar types of data; utilize job-related equipment.
• Problem solving to identify issues and create action plans.
• Adapt to changing work priorities.
• Communicate with diverse groups.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work as part of a team.
• Work with constant interruptions.
• Keyboard and learn to use personal computers; may require basic signing.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One of the following:
  • Qualifying score on the Education Testing Service paraeducator assessment as published by PESB; or
  • Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or
  • Seventy-two quarter credits or forty-eight semester credits at the 100-level or higher at an accredited college or university; or
  • Completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.

Certificates & Licenses

• Valid State of Washington Driver’s License or equivalent mobility evidence.
• Secure Training, CPR, First Aid.
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint Background Clearance.