Instructional Assistant - General (multiple positions)

Forest Grove Sd 15•Forest Grove, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Instructional Assistant works under the direct or indirect supervision of a licensed staff member to assist classroom teachers and administrators with instruction and student supervision. The role provides concentrated academic, social-emotional, and behavioral support, along with clerical duties related to instruction. Employees in this classification do not supervise others. The position is at Fern Hill Elementary and is listed as a 5- and 2-hour position. The start date is as soon as the employee's background and fingerprints clear. Bilingual English/Spanish skills are preferred. The role includes supporting students individually and in small groups, monitoring student progress, administering tests, providing behavioral and personal-care assistance, and collaborating with school staff and families. The employee must follow district safety and crisis-prevention procedures, maintain confidentiality, report suspected abuse or safety concerns, and attend to students' differing abilities and needs. Work may involve physically interacting with students who are aggressive, emotional, or unpredictable, exposure to outdoor weather, and a fast-paced, emotionally demanding setting with noise that may occasionally be very loud.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
72 quarter hours of accredited college education or equivalent education, or a passing score on the District HQ Assessment.
Prior paid or volunteer job-related experience with school-age children.
Ability to operate a computer, office machines, telephone, and other technology equipment.
Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Ability to recognize students' cognitive and physical disabilities and respond sensitively and helpfully in classroom and school settings.
Ability to perform instructional activities, communicate with parents, students, staff, and community members, perform basic arithmetic, operate standard office equipment, use written and spoken English with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and perform basic clerical functions.
Background sufficient to assist with a wide variety of subject matter, including reading, social studies, and mathematics.
Ability to work harmoniously with others and communicate effectively with students, parents, and school personnel from diverse backgrounds in English, Spanish, or other languages related to the job.
Ability to work independently with minimal instructions; sit or stand for prolonged periods; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; maintain confidentiality of student records; meet schedules and deadlines; interpret and apply rules, regulations, and policies; and concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to rapidly learn instructional methods and materials and use teaching methods as described by program supervisory staff.
Ability to manage student behavior using verbal and physical cues and perform physical-management techniques on children.
Physical ability to lift, reach, handle, talk and hear conversations, use near and far visual acuity, and move to locations throughout classrooms and the school.
Pre-employment criminal justice fingerprint clearance and criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred.
Successful experience teaching students lagging social, emotional, and behavioral skills, or an equivalent amount of education and experience, preferred.
Knowledge of principles of child development and instructional processes, preferred.
Knowledge of Social Emotional Learning modalities and behavioral supports such as PAX, PBIS, and Collaborative Problem Solving, preferred.

Responsibilities

Constantly supervise and monitor students, particularly during transitions such as arrival, meals, breaks, and recess, in coordination with other staff.
Provide individual and small-group instruction, monitor student progress, administer tests, and plan under the supervision of a licensed staff member.
Provide behavioral support in and outside the classroom through redirection, positive reinforcement, collaborative conversations, and planning with students, consistent with the district's Behavioral Health and Wellness model.
Coach students in acquiring and practicing social, emotional, and academic skills, adapting interaction style to individual student needs.
Provide personal care and assistance, which may include toileting, hygiene, feeding, positioning, mobility, and delegated nursing or therapy services.
Use district-approved crisis-prevention training and physical-management techniques as needed to maintain the safety of students, staff, and facilities.
Collaborate with counseling, administrative, and classroom staff to understand student skill levels, characteristics, strengths, disabilities, learning modalities, and objectives.
Perform limited clerical duties related to instruction, such as preparing materials, maintaining instructional records, communicating with parents, and reporting progress.
Follow mandatory reporting laws and report suspected abuse, neglect, self-harm, or endangerment to building administrators or a designated substitute.
Collaborate with staff to develop solutions for challenging student situations.
Maintain familiarity with program safety protocols and implement required instruction, drills, and procedures.
Confer with licensed staff, parents, and appropriate community agency personnel to help evaluate student progress and implement student objectives.
Report observations and incidents involving students, including accidents, fights, inappropriate social behavior, rule violations, and safety conditions, to appropriate instructional or administrative personnel.
Participate in meetings to share information and improve skills or knowledge.
Assist other personnel as needed, including with small groups, computer labs, physical or occupational therapy, and talented-and-gifted activities.
Maintain consistent and predictable attendance and perform other duties as assigned.