Special Education Assistant II (Autism Base) -Baker-Butler Elementary School 2026-27 School Year

Are you looking to work in a school division where students are engaged in authentic, challenging, and relevant learning experiences, becoming lifelong contributors and leaders in our dynamic and diverse society? In Albemarle County Public Schools, we work together as a team to end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children’s success through high-quality teaching and learning for all. We seek to build relationships with families and communities to ensure that every student succeeds. We will know every student!

About the Role

The Special Education Assistant II provides support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for assisting in the supervision, care, and instruction of students with special needs in the Autism Base program at Baker-Butler Elementary School. This role involves implementing plans for instruction, monitoring student behavior, documenting activities and progress, and supporting students’ IEP goals. The assistant will provide extended classroom support, follow evidence-based behavior intervention strategies, assist with data collection and analysis, and ensure interventions are practiced with fidelity. This position serves as a resource for equitable opportunities for students with challenging behaviors and helps streamline the shift of responsibility to school staff.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a pleasant and orderly classroom environment, including maintaining instructional materials and assisting with clean-up activities.
• Assist students in completing learning tasks assigned by classroom teachers.
• Lead and/or facilitate teaching in 1:1, small group, or whole class instruction.
• Carry out instructional plans as designated by the classroom teacher and/or the student's Individual Educational Plan (IEP).
• Maintain student training data according to prescribed procedures.
• Assist individual students in following routines, directions, schedules, and completing tasks, adhering strictly to daily schedules as required by IEPs.
• Set up and operate audio-visual equipment.
• Assist in developing and implementing individual student schedules, sensory programs, motor group activities, discrete trial drills, and behavior management plans.
• Create alternative activities for independent work based on teacher-directed activities.
• Coordinate school and home supports and work tasks.
• Assist with data collection and facilitating accommodations as required by the classroom teacher or supervisor.
• Communicate effectively with the special education teacher to help facilitate IEP goals.
• Demonstrate cooperation, openness for growth, and willingness to contribute to a team approach in the educational program.
• Assist in maintaining students' records, collecting lunch monies, and supporting related instructional activities (e.g., field trips, library, assembly) under the supervision of the classroom teacher or building principal.
• Monitor students' attendance, behavior, and suspension data.
• Perform clerical duties such as typing, filing, and duplicating at the direction of the classroom teacher.
• Provide direct support to staff and students by introducing, teaching, and modeling research/evidence-based interventions and curriculum.
• Coordinate with specialists and school staff to implement behavior curriculum, develop effective intervention plans, and create crisis/safety plans.
• Provide transition plans and support for students moving between educational settings.
• Provide interventions to enable students to remain in school and/or help stabilize them.
• Supervise and train students during lunch, free time, and other non-instructional periods as directed by the classroom teacher.
• Maintain a notebook monitored by the special education teacher and specialists, containing:
  • Weekly behavior logs with observations and collected data.
  • Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) with progress notes.
  • Social Skills lesson plans, including social stories.
  • Incident reports and office referrals.
  • Log of communication with school staff, family, and outside agencies.
• Assist students with daily living skills (e.g., toileting, feeding, diaper changes, positioning).
• Assist with deregulated students.
• Participate in team meetings.
• Assist with medical-related duties (e.g., catheterization, gastrointestinal feedings, assistive breathing devices, colostomy, and ileostomy needs).
• Assist with carry-over of related services (e.g., Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech, Adapted Physical Education, and Vision).
• Perform other duties as assigned by the classroom teacher or principal.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Willingness to seek and maintain CPR certification.
• Ability to develop and maintain an empathetic attitude toward students with disabilities.
• Willingness to learn specialized instructional and management techniques for students with disabilities.
• Ability to communicate and develop effective working relationships with students, parents, and staff.
• Basic keyboard and filing training.
• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to the above requirements.

Skills

• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong communication skills with students, parents, and staff.
• Empathy and understanding of students with disabilities.
• Flexibility, patience, and self-motivation.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and handle physical and emotional outbursts from students.
• Dexterity to assist or restrain students and operate specialized or office equipment.
• Physical ability to sit or stand for extended periods, bend, kneel, crouch, lift up to 80 pounds, and assist with student mobility (e.g., moving students from wheelchairs).
• Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions.

Work Environment

• Duties are performed in various school settings, including classrooms, gyms, cafeterias, auditoriums, and recreational areas.
• Frequent walking, standing, and light lifting (up to 80 pounds) are required.
• Occasional travel with students on field trips may be necessary.
• Regular movement of students using wheelchairs and other mechanical devices.
• Personal hygiene tasks, such as changing catheters, diapers, and clothing, may be required.
• Training and immunization against blood-borne pathogens may be necessary.
• Occasional lifting of equipment (e.g., audio-visuals) weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional attendance at meetings, conferences, and training activities beyond normal working hours.
• Daily close contact with children to provide classroom management and support.
• Regular contact with staff, parents, and medical professionals, requiring tact and diplomacy.
• Work environment may include varying degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality.
• Routine interruptions and the need to work both inside and outside.
• After-hour work may be required.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits.
• Health and dental coverage.
• Retirement plans.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Paid time off.
• Wellness program.
• Discounts on gym memberships.