TITLE:  Special Educational Assistant                                                                           REVISED 12/07/23

Walnut Creek Middle School                                                                                            APPROVED 02/26/24   

8:00 am - 3:00 pm (6.5 hours/day, 181 days per school year)

$19.35/hour (based on PSERS years)

QUALIFICATIONS:       

     1. Minimum two (2) years post-secondary (48 credits), associate degree, or passing score on the Special Education Paraprofessional Assessment test administered through I.U.5.

2. Willingness to follow instructions of principal, teacher, school nurse, speech and physical and/or occupational therapist, while working with children.
3. Ability to assist students with daily living activities such as toileting, feeding, dressing, and other behavior management.          
4. Computer knowledge and/or willingness to work with new technology required.
5. Must be certified (or able to be certified) and maintain certification in CPR, First Aid and UKERU and maintain ongoing professional development as per Chapter 14 regulations and current Meet and Discuss Agreement (20 hours of professional development annually).
6. Such alternatives to the above as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

REPORTS TO: Building Principal and Special Education Teacher

JOB GOAL: Support the delivery of the educational program to students.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assist in small group or individual review with students in math, reading and other curricula areas as designated by teacher.
2. Works with other students while teacher is teaching groups (ex. meaningful follow-up activities to instruction.)
3. Assist students while included in elective subjects (ex. Art, Music, P.E.)
4. Assist students with daily living activities (ex. toileting, feeding, and dressing.)
5. Assist student while at lunch/recess.
6. Assist with the integration of behavioral management and physical, occupational speech/language, therapeutic activity plans for students assigned to the specific class of responsibility.
7. Assist with the supervision of field trips. Serve as van driver for trips as needed.
8. Participate in activities where students need special guidance, assistance, and/or supervision for safety reasons (ex. Swimming and other activities outlined in approved curriculum documents.)
9. Assist with the exiting or evacuation of special students in emergency or drill situations.
10. Assist with arrival and dismissal situations including special education students.
11. Assist with the operation of assistive devices for special needs students (ex. Communication technology, writing technology, physical and occupational therapy devices) for students assigned to the specific class of responsibility.
12. Complete appropriate logs and forms enabling district to bill access to recover partial costs for providing related services.
13. Record data under the direction/supervision of the classroom teacher.
14. Must maintain and update CPR, First Aid and UKERU training on an annual basis as a condition of employment.
15. Must maintain status as highly qualified by completing 20 hours of annual approved training.
16. Participate in classroom meetings and student specific meetings as requested by the teacher or administrator.
17. Any other duties assigned by the Superintendent or their designee.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. Ability to sit, talk, and hear.
2. Ability to stand, walk, climb, balance stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and move quickly when necessary to promote student learning and/or safety.
3. Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Over 50 pounds requires assistance.
4. Ability to push items of 50 lbs. such as pushing children in a wheelchair or moving/rearranging furniture.
5. Ability to pass UKERU physical skills training.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SENSORY ABILITY:

1. Ability to speak clearly and distinctly.
2. Auditory acuity to be able to use telephone.
3. Visual acuity to read correspondence and computer screen.                                    

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

1. Indoor and outdoor environments.

TEMPERAMENT:         

1. Ability to work as a member of a team.
2. Must be courteous.
3. Must be cooperative, congenial, service-oriented, and promote these qualities in the building.
4. Ability to work in an environment with frequent interruptions.
5. Ability to follow directives from the classroom teacher.
6. Ability to utilize trauma informed care.

COGNITIVE ABILITY:

1. Ability to follow written and verbal directions.
2. Ability to demonstrate good written and verbal skills.
3. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to students, staff, and other employees of the organization.
4. Ability to read, write, and do computations.
5. Ability to work independently and make work-related decisions.
6. Ability to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
7. Ability to exercise good judgment in prioritizing tasks and problem-solving.
8. Ability to use correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling.
9. Ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disability (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding the position and additional duties may be assigned.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Work year and salary as determined by the Millcreek Educational Assistants Meet and Discuss Agreement.

EVALUATION:  Performance to be evaluated annually by the Principal or their designee.