Educational Assistant (EA IV) - Affective Needs (AN) Program
About The Position
Provides specialized, intensive, and individualized support to students with Affective Needs (AN) who experience complex emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. As a member of the special education team, the Educational Assistant primarily implements crisis intervention strategies, facilitates emotional regulation, and fosters a safe, structured, and therapeutic learning environment. The role also promotes positive community relations among community members and school clientele. The position supports students' social-emotional and academic development, helps implement IEP goals and Positive Behavior Intervention Plans, collects behavior and emotional progress data, and assists students in accessing curriculum and participating in general education settings. The Educational Assistant collaborates with teachers and school mental health professionals and responds to student safety and crisis concerns. The work environment is mostly clean and comfortable, with some classroom-level noise. Physical demands include occasional lifting of 40 to 70 pounds; frequent bending, standing, sitting, and walking; occasional reaching, kneeling, squatting, or standing; and the ability to run short distances. General classroom equipment is used.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- First Aid and CPR certification from the American Heart Association.
- Demonstrated ability to remain calm, objective, and effective during student crises or high-stress behavioral situations.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and collaborative skills, emphasizing therapeutic and non-judgmental communication.
- Willingness and ability to complete required crisis-management training and maintain physical certification.
Responsibilities
- Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.
- Implement student-specific crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies with fidelity, following established protocols such as Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI).
- Provide calm, consistent support during emotional distress or behavioral crises and help students return to regulation.
- Help students develop and use social-emotional learning and coping skills, including appropriate use of a sensory or safe room or other designated therapeutic space.
- Implement student-specific Positive Behavior Intervention Plans, emphasizing proactive strategies and replacement behaviors.
- Collect and maintain daily data on student behavior and emotional progress as required by the IEP team.
- Monitor students and the classroom for escalating behaviors and proactively address them.
- Collaborate with the Special Education Teacher, School Psychologist, School Counselor, Social Worker, and other mental health professionals to coordinate student support.
- Help ensure the immediate safety and well-being of students and respond to safety and crisis concerns.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding student needs and abilities.
- Assist the Special Education Teacher in implementing IEP goals related to students' social, emotional, and academic development.
- Support students in accessing curriculum, completing assignments, and managing school demands, including work modified or accommodated under the IEP.
- Facilitate restorative practices and social skills groups as directed by the teacher or school mental health professionals.
- Support students' transition and integration into general education through scaffolding and emotional support.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health savings account (HSA)
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- District-paid and voluntary supplemental life insurance
- Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Critical illness and accident voluntary insurance
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Voluntary 401(k), 403(b), and 457 retirement plan options
- Paid sick time
- Paid personal time
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
