Program Assistant (Pool) (2026-2027)

Pay Grade: 605 | Salary Range: $34,040 - $41,011 | Duty Days: 185

About the Role

Provide direct instruction to eligible special education students in academic programs under the general guidance of a certified teacher. This may be a grant-funded position.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized instruction in one or more of the following academic areas: math, science, social studies, and language arts.
• Reinforce academic or developmental skills requiring extensive repetition.
• Provide drill and practice on newly acquired skills.
• Plan jointly with regular education and special education teachers to ensure appropriate implementation of student Individual Education Plans (IP).
• Establish and maintain standards of student behavior.
• Provide an orderly and productive learning environment.
• Develop resources to enhance and supplement instruction.
• Observe and record student progress.
• Maintain a positive and cooperative attitude with other professional personnel.
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
• Participate in staff development training programs to improve job performance.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, which may include working in supplemental assignments under special revenue funds or state compensatory education funds.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree or sixty (60) semester hours of college credit with emphasis on a major academic area (e.g., English, language arts, psychology, mathematics, sciences, social sciences).
• Two years of experience working with students or parents.
• Valid Texas educational aide certificate.
• Experience in working with special populations preferred.

Skills

• Ability to operate personal computers and utilize applicable software applications.
• Ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics (functional life skills).
• Ability to work well with children.
• Ability to work with students with physical, emotional, educational, and/or intellectual disabilities.
• Ability to cope with a variety of students in varied and sometimes stressful situations.
• Effective communication skills.
• Knowledge of the District’s policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of classroom techniques and etiquette.
• Knowledge of correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.

Physical Job Requirements

• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to walk; sit; use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms using a keyboard and video display terminal.
• Occasionally required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and climb stairs.
• Must maintain emotional control under stress and occasionally work prolonged and/or irregular hours.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 35 pounds.