Educational Assistant Special Education Pinon Posting 720

Los Alamos Public Schools • White Rock, NM

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the special education teacher, this role provides assistance to students with special education needs. The position requires participation in training, ensuring student safety, implementing behavior plans, and preparing materials for instructors. The assistant will monitor student progress, provide tutoring, assist with transitions, and oversee classroom activities in the absence of an instructor. Responsibilities also include developing and instructing daily living skills, responding to student and parent inquiries, maintaining instructional materials, performing clerical tasks, and ensuring a clean and safe classroom environment. The role involves operating office equipment and following all safety rules and procedures.

Requirements

• Knowledge of operations, services and activities of a special education program.
• Knowledge of general goals and purpose of special education programs.
• Knowledge of student instructional and tutorial methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in assessing student progress.
• Knowledge of basic behavioral and medical conditions and symptoms.
• Knowledge of theories and concepts of early childhood development.
• Knowledge of principles and concepts of assigned academic subject matter.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of providing physical and learning assistance to a variety of special education students.
• Knowledge of modern office and classroom practices, procedures and equipment including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Knowledge of discipline strategies.
• Knowledge of principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local codes, laws and regulations.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instruction.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to read, write and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos.
• Ability to assist adolescents in all aspects of their learning.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to students, staff and employers.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals, in order to compute rate, ratio and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all District requirements and Board of Education policies.
• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Demonstrated ability to apply training.
• Possession of a valid New Mexico driver’s license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, mandated Educational Assistant license and Substitute Teacher license as may be required by the District or State of New Mexico.

Responsibilities

• Participate in training provided by special education teacher or district staff necessary to support the needs of students with educational disabilities.
• Ensure safety of students in school and community settings.
• Implement behavior plans across multiple settings and collect data for progress monitoring.
• Provide assistance in the preparation of materials for special education instructors; set up demonstrations, materials, and equipment for classroom lectures; promote a positive learning environment.
• Assist instructors and students in the development an Individualized Education Program; monitor student activity and report on progress in the acquisition of personal and scholastic goals and objectives.
• Provide individual or group tutoring to students with disabilities in a variety of assigned areas; interpret and explain detailed instructions; assist students in the transition from “self-contained” special education classrooms to a traditional classroom as progress warrants and in accordance with instructions received from teaching or professional medical staff.
• Review assignments; correct homework; as directed, administer tests to students to complete lesson plans.
• Oversee classroom activities in the absence of an instructor and during recess, lunch and other special events; assist in maintaining classroom and school disciplinary procedures.
• Accompany students during school hours as required; contact appropriate staff and faculty to report emergency or unusual situations.
• Implement and monitor any behavioral management plans assigned to individual students to monitor, control and report negative behavior.
• Develop, instruct and monitor daily living skills for assigned students including the use of personal hygiene items, eating utensils, proper ways to dress and other aspects of daily living encountered by a student with special needs.
• Respond to various questions and inquiries from students and parents on routine issues; refer students to instructors or professional medical staff on complex questions and issues.
• Design, implement and maintain instructional and informational materials; tutor students in the creation of these materials.
• Perform a variety of clerical tasks supporting assigned instructor; receive calls and take messages; take roll call and maintain student attendance records; duplicate materials; assemble notebooks and handouts; return reviewed homework assignments, reports and tests to students.
• Perform custodial duties in the classroom to maintain a clean and safe environment; clean desks, tables and chairs; set up and assemble materials for projects.
• Operate a variety of office equipment including a computer, copier, fax or other equipment.
• Follow all safety rules and procedures established for work area.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED