Special Education Instructional Assistant - Broad Ford School - GCPS

Location: Broad Ford School
Terms: Full time, 10 month, 7.6 hour per day, 187 days per year (may vary depending on the needs of the system)
Salary: $31,673 - $35,886 in accordance with established support salary scale

About the Role

The special education instructional assistant will provide support to the instructional program, follow educational and specific behavioral plans, observe and document student progress, assist students with special healthcare needs, model appropriate behaviors and interactions with students and staff, and provide clerical support to teachers.

Responsibilities

• Adapt classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the classroom teacher.
• Assist students with special healthcare needs (e.g., toileting, feeding, gastric tube feeding, grooming, etc.).
• Support students with disabilities who have behavioral needs.
• Confer with teachers, as requested, to evaluate student progress, coordinate tests and homework assignments, and/or implement IEP objectives.
• Work with individuals and small groups, as assigned by the classroom teacher.
• Provide programmed practice activities and repetitions developed by a teacher, therapist, pathologist, or other medical professionals.
• Implement behavioral plans designed by the IEP team.
• Supervise students (e.g., classroom, hallway, restroom, cafeteria, field trips, etc.).
• Prepare/process food and assist in the feeding of medically fragile students.
• Lift, move, and operate adaptive equipment.
• Assist students with mobility needs (e.g., lifting, positioning, loading, and unloading, etc.).
• Ensure the confidentiality of student information.
• Positively advocate for students with disabilities.
• Report and record observations and incidents.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Perform related clerical duties and responsibilities.
• Respond immediately and appropriately to emergency situations (e.g., injuries, fights, runaways, etc.).
• Take all appropriate safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Attend and actively participate in appropriate job-related professional development.
• Contribute to the short-term and long-term successes of students, staff, school, and the system in general.
• Engage in life-long learning of professional and technical knowledge by attending appropriate workshops, reviewing professional publications and websites, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.
• Present courteous and professional demeanor at all times.
• Demonstrate proficiency, flexibility, self-motivation, accountability and ownership, and positive demeanor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate Degree, 48 hours of college credit, or a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to perform basic math
• Ability to present information to others
• Ability to collect, understand, explain, and use data
• Ability to understand complex, multi-step written, and oral instructions
• Ability to organize, supervise, and work with individual or groups of students, teachers, and other stakeholders
• Ability to problem-solve, work independently and as part of a team, and function without distractions
• Strong stakeholder (i.e., students, staff, administration, parents, general public, community agencies, etc.) service skills
• History of professionalism and strong work ethic
• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to stand, sit, walk, feel, climb, balance, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, bend, push, pull, and carry
• Good hearing, vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision
• Ability to lift and transport heavy to moderately heavy objects averaging 50-75 lbs.
• Ability to lift and assist students with special healthcare needs, including toileting
• Significant dexterity of hands and fingers
• Ability to serve as a positive role model for students, staff, and other stakeholders
• Regular and predictable attendance
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job either with or without reasonable accommodations

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous work experience with students with significant cognitive disabilities
• CPR and First Aid certification
• General understanding of child growth, development, and behavior characteristics
• Knowledge of instructional and behavioral strategies
• Knowledge of special education vocabulary, definitions, and acronyms

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits include healthcare (medical, dental, vision), life insurance, and participation in the Maryland Retirement and Pension Plan, with optional 403(b) contributions. Employees receive paid sick leave, personal days, vacation, and access to wellness programs and employee assistance resources.