Exceptional Student Services Instructional Assistant - Specialized Program

Peoria Unified School District•Peoria, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Peoria Unified School District is seeking an Exceptional Student Services Instructional Assistant for a specialized program. The role supports students with disabilities in multiple classroom settings, helping them access the general education curriculum and make progress toward academic, behavioral, and daily-living goals. The assistant works under the direction of school administration, teachers, and special education teams, and may support students in classrooms, playgrounds, cafeterias, and other school settings. The position includes implementing teacher-directed accommodations, modifications, behavior support plans, sensory strategies, and specialized program structures. Assistants may provide behavioral support during student escalation and help students use assistive technology and devices. The role also includes supporting activities of daily living, which may involve eating or tube-feeding assistance, toileting, transfers, mobility, positioning, and physical support. This is a 9-month position with a listed salary of $18.00–$20.00, DOE. The minimum qualification is a high school diploma or GED. The employee must meet Arizona clearance and licensing requirements and complete and maintain specified training and certifications.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Possess or obtain an Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Pass a background clearance check.
Provide a Social Security number for AHCCCS provider purposes.
Obtain and maintain an Arizona driver's license.
Complete training and maintain certification in CPR, First Aid, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI), and specialized training for students with disabilities.
Be able to physically restrain a student using one of the specified holds and run after students at risk of fleeing a safe location.
May be required to demonstrate fluency in written and oral English.
May be required to lift and carry supplies and materials weighing up to 20 pounds and lift students weighing up to 60 pounds.
May be required to work outside normal working hours and travel to perform work functions.
Familiarity with relevant federal, state, county, and city statutes, rules, policies, and procedures.
Understanding of Peoria Unified School District and departmental policies and procedures.
Knowledge of basic child development principles.
Strong organizational skills, multitasking ability, and attention to detail.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to identify, prevent, and de-escalate negative behaviors.
Skill in instructing and assisting students with self-help living skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, students, parents, and other stakeholders.
Proficiency operating personal computers and using software applications.

Responsibilities

Support students with disabilities on campus under the guidance of school administration and special education teams.
Assist students in multiple classroom settings with tasks and access to the general education curriculum.
Implement teacher-directed accommodations, modifications, and behavior support plans described in students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
Teach and model workplace skills and positive behaviors.
Monitor, intervene in, and redirect student behaviors, using de-escalation techniques as appropriate.
Help students use assistive technology to support learning.
Lead individual and small-group activities under teacher direction to reinforce learning objectives.
Maintain accurate student documentation and records, including timely updates to computerized records.
Assist students with activities of daily living, including eating, dressing, toileting, and mobility.
Support individual student behavior, sensory, and academic programs, including behavior support plans and sensory integration strategies.
Collaborate with classroom teachers and related service providers to provide consistent instructional and behavioral support throughout the school day.
Implement specialized program structures, instructional methods, and behavior systems as directed by program guidelines.
Provide behavioral support during student escalation while following district guidelines and best practices.
Assist with expanded daily-living needs, including eating or tube-feeding assistance, transfers, mobility, positioning, toileting, and use of assistive devices.
Perform additional assigned duties, which may include playground or cafeteria monitoring.