Special Education - Public Health Training Assistant

About the role

Provides assistance to special education teachers; performs tasks related to the physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a special educational setting; assists with implementation of classroom programs and activities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• One (1) year of experience working with children as a volunteer or paid employee, or equivalent participation in a teacher‑education introductory course with documented support.
• Knowledge of child growth and development and group interaction.
• Knowledge of health, safety, and first‑aid methods.
• Knowledge of physical and intellectual disabilities, and applicable instructional procedures and practices.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to assist with providing a wide variety of educational experiences for students to meet their individual, intellectual, and emotional needs.
• Ability to assist a teacher with the use and adaptation of a range of instructional techniques and related technology, and to participate in the monitoring and control of a wide range of behaviors.
• Ability to learn and apply the instructional goals and policies of Fairfax County Public Schools.
• Ability to work effectively with students and staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Preferred qualifications

• Training in the use of specialized equipment or skills, such as communicating with children who are deaf/blind or non‑verbal.

Responsibilities

• Perform curricular, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to assist teachers and other professional staff in a special education classroom or other setting.
• Assist the teacher with conducting classroom activities and evaluating behavior‑management activities.
• Contribute to the assessment of individual student needs and progress and development of appropriate individualized programs.
• Work with individual and small groups of students to develop fine and gross motor skills, as instructed.
• Review and reinforce work adjustments and related vocational experiences with students.
• Assist in daily and long‑term planning of activities with teachers.
• Provide instruction in basic skills and supervise off‑site vocational training and community travel settings, as assigned.
• Continue instructional and work activities during the teacher’s absence on a limited basis.
• Help maintain order and assist in managing student behavior, including behavior‑intervention plans, de‑escalation strategies, and crisis intervention.
• Assist with monitoring students in halls, on buses, on school grounds, in the cafeteria, and other areas.
• Instruct and assist students with daily living skills (toileting, feeding, dressing, personal and facilities hygiene) as required.
• May perform certain medical procedures or administer medication under supervision and with appropriate instructions.
• Provide assistance that may involve transferring students to and from wheelchairs, tables, or therapy devices.
• Support students with assistive technologies.
• May oversee and lead attendants or volunteers.
• Perform administrative and non‑instructional duties such as keeping daily attendance or recording work hours of students in a vocational program.
• Assist with maintenance of files containing student work and evaluation/assessment data; observe, gather, and record assessment data; review observations/progress with instructional staff.
• Perform related duties as required or assigned.

Work Environment

This position operates in a school environment with a noise level that is mostly low to moderate. It may require physical strength, agility, and dexterity to assist in de‑escalating disruptive or harmful student behavior. The role routinely uses standard classroom equipment (computers, phones, projectors, smartboards, photocopiers, filing cabinets) and instructional technologies (smartboards, laptops, document cameras, projectors). Assistive technology used with students includes computers, augmentative communication devices, and adaptive peripherals. The employee will regularly stand, sit, walk, bend, and/or kneel, and must be able to lift up to 35 lb regularly, with occasional lifting/moving up to 70 lb and/or use of a Hoyer lift.

Pay

Salary Grade: Classroom Instructional Support Scale‑FEU‑OP (salary information not specified).

Schedule

191‑Day contract, full‑time (100 %); pay frequency is monthly.