Teacher Aide (Woodbury)

Full-time, 12-month position. Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM (35 hours per week).

Pay

• Teacher Aide: $18.50 per hour
• Teacher Assistant (requires valid NYSED certification):
  • Level 1 or Initial: $20.00 per hour
  • Level 2 or Pre-Professional: $21.00 per hour
  • Level 3 or Professional: $22.00 per hour

About the Role

May be assigned to a classroom or serve as a float position, subject to change based on program needs.

Responsibilities

Professional Duties

• Assist the assigned teacher in all areas of the daily classroom routine.
• Support children as requested by the teacher and maintain the health and safety of the classroom environment.
• Attend staff and parent meetings as assigned.
• Participate in daily planning sessions with teachers to understand educational interventions.
• Fulfill specific assignments as required by the teacher, including timely preparation of classroom materials.
• Participate in maintaining an attractive, safe, and hygienic classroom environment.
• Maintain an appropriate educational environment with respect to health and safety under the teacher’s direction.
• Regularly clean and disinfect countertops, tables, and toys.
• Provide adequate bus, hallway, and playground supervision.
• Assist with preparation of snack and clean-up activities.
• Provide students with personal care and assistance in all activities of daily living under the teacher’s direction.
• Facilitate appropriate communications and interactions between adults and peers.
• Attend team meetings as assigned.
• Carry out classroom-specific and individual behavior management programs under the supervision of the teacher.
• Perform related duties as required.

Professional Behavior

• Cooperate and conduct self in a manner appropriate to the school setting.
• Adhere to program-specific policies and procedures.
• Perform other assigned duties as required.

Professional Development

• Attend and participate in all required in-services.
• Complete all required OCFS trainings:
  • 5-hour health & safety training within the first 90 days of employment.
  • 15 hours of approved training in the first 6 months of employment.
  • 30 hours of approved training within 2 years.
• Attend and participate in supervision and implement recommendations appropriately.
• Attend staff meetings with the classroom teacher.

Policies and Compliance

• Adhere to the general policies of the organization and regulators, including the Code of Ethical Conduct.
• Follow emergency/disaster preparedness protocols.
• Fulfill departmental in-service education program requirements; may need to complete hours outside of agency hours.
• Follow fire/safety prevention protocols.
• Comply with policies and procedures regarding attendance, punctuality, appearance, professional attitude, etc.
• Participate in quality improvement activities.
• Engage in job-related self-development education activities.
• Follow infection control practices and procedures.
• Meet regulatory requirements, including annual physical examination and Mantoux testing.

Additional Duties

• Demonstrate understanding of the needs of students and visitors for each specific age group.
• Address safety and psychological needs of special age groups as appropriate.
• Address the needs of special groups, including the hearing impaired and physically challenged.
• Maintain child and family confidentiality.
• Refrain from discussing students in front of them.
• Be consistently courteous and considerate in interactions with students, families, visitors, vendors, and other employees.
• Exhibit a service-oriented attitude: smile, use positive eye contact, and be friendly, open, and approachable.
• Respond quickly to students and/or parents/guardians’ requests; refer to the appropriate care team member if necessary and inform the supervisor of actions taken.
• Promote positive co-worker relationships, teamwork, and cooperation.
• Work collaboratively and respectfully with others.
• Take individual responsibility for providing outstanding service quality.
• Refer parents/guardians/therapists to the teacher regarding students' educational programming.

Cultural Competencies

• Demonstrate the ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of disability, genders, ethnicities, and races.
• Demonstrate the ability to recognize and manage personal behaviors to create an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services to students and families.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency required.
• Criminal background check (CBC) clearance required.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively and cooperatively required.
• Experience working with children and special education students preferred.
• Warm, calm demeanor required.
• Physical aspects may include lifting and transferring students.

Qualifications

• Teacher Aide: Within six (6) months of hire, must obtain NYS Teacher Assistant Certification.
• Teacher Assistant: Valid New York State Teacher Assistant Certification required.