Special Education Assistant III
About the Employer
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must have a high school diploma and either: If the HR department determines that the proficiency exam is required, you will receive an email invitation containing an online testing link at the email address provided on your application. The exam must be completed and submitted before the application deadline for your application to be considered.
• Official transcripts showing at least two years of college (48 units) or an AA degree,
• Or, a passing score on our online proficiency exam (CBEST accepted in lieu of).
Work Environment
School-based settings or other district-designated environment working with students in a diversified special education classroom environment.
Job Title and Context
Class Title: Special Education/General Education Assistant III
Work Length and Days Worked
• Work length: 6.5 hours per day
• Days worked: 193
Definition of Position
Under general supervision and evaluation by the site administrator, performs work of complex difficulty in providing specialized health care procedures and instructional support services in various general education and pre-K-12 and adult special education settings, including but not limited to emotionally disturbed, autistic, behavioral, bilingual, full inclusion, or assistive technology.
Examples of Duties
• Communicate regularly with other members of the instructional team regarding daily performance and other needs of the student.
• Under supervision, work with students in a group or on an individual basis assisting with specific instructional tasks and accommodating the special needs of individual students.
• Assist assigned students with special needs in learning or using special equipment, instructional media, etc.
• Assist assigned students with special needs in learning or using special tests.
• Assist assigned students with special needs in the development and maintenance of appropriate social behaviors through the use of a variety of positive reinforcement techniques, activities, and/or materials.
• Assist in the loading and unloading of assigned students with special needs from buses and in the transferring of students to and from classrooms and events.
• Encourage and assist assigned students with special needs in communicating and engaging in social activities such as field trips and extra-curricular activities.
• Supervise assigned students with special needs in snack and lunch activities and outdoor/campus activities.
• Assist assigned students with special needs in learning gross motor skills and teaching independent mobility.
• Support assigned students of diverse levels and types of disabilities, gender, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Maintain and prepare records and perform clerical duties related to special education programs.
• May lift and move assigned students with special needs.
• Assist in teaching assigned students self-feeding skills and grooming and dressing skills.
• Assist in the toileting of assigned students frequently involving lifting and cleaning of student, diapering, etc.
• Attend to assigned students' physical needs which may include, but are not limited to, gastronomy feeding tubes/buttons; catheterization; urinal, colostomy, and ileostomy bags; diabetes testing; supervise diabetes management; change wound dressings; tracheotomy suctioning and care; nasal and oral suctioning; as trained by district nurse on basic medical procedures.
• Supervise teenagers in the use of sanitary supplies.
• May assist with community-based instruction.
• May be required to travel from location to location.
• Attend required training and job-related meetings.
Training and Experience
A combination of training and experience equivalent to high school graduation and one year of experience working with students with special needs or adults, or the completion of one year of college-level coursework in a field related to the position. Successful completion of the instructional assistant proficiency examination and/or hold appropriate certification for the position.
Commitment to Training
Commitment to complete required training courses or in-services within the first six months of being hired/promoted.
Knowledge Requirements
• The appropriate subject matter, program, and special instructional or communication procedures.
• Individual differences in children.
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mathematics.
• General classroom procedures, practices, and equipment.
• General needs relative to students who are physically challenged and/or severely emotionally disturbed students.
• Techniques of learning reinforcement and behavior modification for students.
• Diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of students with special needs.
Skills Requirements
• Applying special instructional or communication procedures.
• Following oral and written directions.
• Communicating clearly both orally and in writing.
• Recordkeeping and providing clerical support duties.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with school staff, students, and parents.
• Reading, writing, and arithmetic.
• Keeping school and student matters confidential.
• Understanding and appropriately responding to the needs of severely challenged and emotionally disturbed students and possessing a genuine liking for students.
• Using computers and associated software.
Ability Requirements
• Perform the duties of the position with or without accommodation.
• Learn and interpret rules, policies, regulations, and procedures.
Licenses and Certifications
• A valid California driver's license may be required.
Certification Requirements
Ability to meet proficiency requirements as set forth in applicable state and federal laws and district annual notices (i.e., mandated reporting, bloodborne pathogen). Certification in first aid and CPR is required every 2 years.
Physical Abilities
• Sufficient vision to monitor students during activities and to read instructional materials;
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information and provide assistance to students and staff;
• Frequently walking, reaching, holding with arms, bending at the waist, crouching, and/or squatting to assist students;
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to assist students and operate specialized equipment or office equipment;
• Pushing wheelchairs;
• Lifting and/or manipulating objects or persons, and/or use of motion up to 50 lbs. or equivalent with or without assistance by another individual and/or with or without the assistance of devices designed to support the lifting effort.
Other Qualifications
• Must successfully pass the district's pre-employment fingerprinting and TB testing.