Special Education Assistant II (Autism-base) - Walton Middle 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; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior; documenting activities and progress; and supporting students’ IEP goals. This role will provide extended classroom support and follow-up for students who receive special services, including:

• Monitoring and modeling evidence/research-based behavior intervention strategies based on recommendations by the special education teacher or behavior specialist/psychologist.
• Assisting with data collection and analysis, and communicating with special education teacher and/or behavior specialist regarding further needs.
• Ensuring behavior interventions are practiced with fidelity.
• Serving as a resource for equitable opportunities for students with challenging behaviors.
• Maintaining interventions with existing supports in the school and streamlining the shift of responsibility to the school staff.

The Special Education Assistant II provides responsible para-professional, clerical, and human support in assisting the classroom teacher in the management and instruction of special education students. All work is performed under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher; however, the aide may independently carry out particular aspects of the instructional program, including activities outside of the normal school facility.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains a pleasant and orderly classroom environment (e.g., maintain instructional materials, design bulletin boards, assist special education teacher and/or students in clean-up activities).
• Assists students in the completion of learning tasks assigned by classroom teachers.
• Leads and/or facilitates teaching of individuals in 1:1, small group, or whole class instruction.
• Carries out instructional plans as designated by the classroom teacher and, if appropriate, the student's Individual Educational Plan (IEP).
• Maintains student training data according to prescribed procedures.
• Assists individual students as necessary to follow routines, directions, individual schedules, and/or complete tasks. May need to strictly adhere to a daily schedule with regularly and systematically account for the student's IEP.
• Procures, sets up, and operates audio-visual equipment.
• Assists in the development and implementation of individual student schedules, sensory programs, sensory activities, motor group activities, discrete trial drills, and/or student behavior management plans.
• Creates alternative activities for independent work based on teacher-directed activities.
• Assists in the coordination of school and home supports and work tasks.
• Assists with data collection and facilitating accommodations as required by the classroom teacher or supervisor.
• Communicates effectively with the special education teacher to help facilitate the IEP goals of the students.
• Demonstrates cooperation, openness for growth, and willingness to contribute to a team approach to the educational program.
• Under the supervision of the classroom teacher and/or building principal, assists in the maintenance of students' records, collection of lunch monies, and related instructional activities (e.g., field trips, library, assembly) as directed.
• Monitors student’s attendance, behavior, and suspension data.
• Performs clerical duties such as typing, filing, and duplicating at the direction of the classroom teacher.
• Provides direct support to staff by introducing and modeling research/evidence-based interventions.
• Provides direct support to students by teaching and modeling research/evidence-based interventions and curriculum.
• Coordinates with specialists and school staff to implement behavior curriculum.
• Provides transition plans and support for students moving from one educational setting to another.
• Coordinates with specialists and school staff to develop effective intervention plans and crisis/safety plans.
• Provides interventions to enable students to remain in school and/or help stabilize them.
• Supervises and trains students in the lunchroom or during lunch period.
• Supervises and trains students during free time and other non-instructional periods as directed by the classroom teacher.
• Maintains a notebook monitored by the special education teacher and specialists, containing:
  • Weekly behavior logs to include 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.
• Assists students with daily living skills (i.e., toileting, feeding, diaper changes, positioning of students).
• Assists with deregulated students.
• Participates in team meetings.
• Assists with medical-related duties, i.e., catheterization, gastrointestinal feedings, assistive breathing devices, colostomy, and ileostomy needs.
• Assists with carry-over of related services, i.e., Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech, Adapted Physical Education, and Vision.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the classroom teacher or principal.

Requirements

• Ability to develop and maintain an empathetic attitude toward disabled/handicapped students.
• Willingness to learn specialized instructional/management techniques employed with disabled/handicapped students.
• Ability to communicate and develop effective working relationships with students, parents, and staff.
• High school graduate or hold equivalence of a high school diploma.
• Willingness to seek and maintain CPR certification.
• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school including basic keyboard and filing training.
• Possession of an equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Working Conditions

Duties are performed typically in school settings including classroom, gym, cafeteria, auditorium, and recreational areas. The role involves:

• Frequent walking, standing, light lifting (up to 80 pounds), and other physical activities necessary for the movement and comfort of disabled students.
• Occasional travel with students on field trips.
• Regular movement of students by wheelchairs and other mechanical devices.
• Personal hygiene of disabled students, including changing catheters, diapers, and clothing.
• Training and immunization against blood-borne pathogens may be necessary.
• Occasional lifting of equipment such as audio-visuals weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional attendance at parent conferences, building-level meetings, division-wide meetings, and training activities beyond normal assigned hours.
• Daily personal and close contact with children to provide classroom management and learning environment support.
• Regular contact with other staff members, parents, and medical professionals, requiring considerable tact and diplomacy.
• Contact with children that requires considerable empathy and understanding of students with disabilities.
• Working within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality.
• Routine interruptions of work.
• Job responsibilities that include both inside and outside duties.
• Flexibility and patience, with self-motivation to complete job assignments.
• After-hour work may be required.
• Working under stressful conditions.
• Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions.
• Potential exposure to physical and emotional outbursts by students, including hitting, kicking, spitting, scratching, and biting.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to assist/restrain students and operate specialized equipment or office equipment.
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling, or crouching to assist students.
• Seeing to read a variety of materials and monitor student activities.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information.
• Reaching overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally.
• Lifting or moving children from wheelchairs to tables or desks.