Special Education Assistant (SEA) - Van Hise - 0.395 FT - 26-27 SY

Madison Metropolitan School District•Madison, WI

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Assistant (SEA) performs specialized work with students with disabilities across developmental stages. Under the direct or general supervision of a building principal or department leader, and the daily direction of a Special Education Teacher or Student Services staff, the assistant adapts support to the assigned student population. Duties may include fostering early-childhood development, supporting academic access in grades 4K–12, providing supplementary aids and services in accordance with student IEPs and behavior or regulation plans, and coaching vocational independence for students ages 18–21. The population served varies by location and assignment. The role supports instruction and inclusion, implements positive behavior strategies, supervises students, provides personal care and mobility assistance, collects and communicates student progress information, and collaborates with educational and community partners. School-based work is in person unless otherwise directed by the building principal. Work may take place in classrooms, living labs, job sites, outdoors in inclement weather, and other district locations, with travel to off-site meetings or community activities as needed. The position is 0.395 FTE, non-exempt, with starting compensation of $25.47 per hour on the 2026–27 salary schedule. Supervisory responsibilities: none.

Requirements

Meet one of the following: have an associate degree, have completed 48 academic credits beyond high school, or pass an onsite District assessment in lieu of either requirement.
Hold a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Special Education Program Aide License (1015), or obtain the license within a timeframe determined by the District.
Understand special education terminology and maintain high expectations for all students.
Be able to modify and deliver curriculum materials and literacy activities as directed by a licensed professional.
Remain calm and professional in high-stress situations and implement positive behavior strategies and approved safety protocols in alignment with district-mandated training.
Operate and troubleshoot adaptive devices, communication boards, and specialized educational software.
Perform sensitive personal care tasks, including diapering, bathroom assistance, and tube feedings, while maintaining student dignity.
Record objective academic and behavioral data and maintain student confidentiality under FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
Communicate effectively and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
Transition between classroom, community-based, and vocational settings while maintaining a daily schedule.
Frequently lift, push, pull, and transfer students, often up to 50 pounds or more depending on district policy, and assist with orthopedic equipment.
Stand, walk, kneel, squat, and reach for extended periods and keep pace with students during transitions, recess, and community outings.
Work in environments with varying noise levels, lighting, and activity while maintaining focus on student safety and engagement.
Recognize changes in a student’s physical health or emotional state and promptly alert the appropriate supervisor or medical staff.
Follow health and sanitation policies, including using personal protective equipment when necessary.
Safely assist students with loading and unloading school buses and navigating field-trip environments.
Engage in ongoing training on safety protocols, medical updates, and inclusive instructional strategies.
Work in person in school-based assignments unless otherwise directed by the building principal and travel to district or off-site locations as required.

Responsibilities

Support early-childhood learning through play-based activities and scaffold foundational skills such as tool use and letter recognition.
Implement modified curricula and intervention strategies to support student independence and academic access in general education settings.
Provide on-site job coaching for students ages 18–21, break vocational duties into manageable steps, and gradually fade support as students gain mastery.
Prepare adapted literacy and instructional materials, such as recorded books, visual schedules, and communication boards.
Assist with monitoring and implementing positive behavior strategies, behavior intervention plans, safe-space procedures, emotional regulation support, and district-approved safety protocols.
Supervise students during lunch, recess, field trips, school-bus loading and unloading, transitions, and community or workplace activities.
Maintain active supervision by monitoring students, anticipating risks, maintaining appropriate proximity and line of sight, and recognizing signs of behavioral or medical distress.
Assist in adapting physical and social environments to promote belonging and student engagement.
Provide personal care, including dressing, eating, diapering, toileting, bathroom assistance, and tube feedings or medication administration according to health plans, while respecting privacy and age-appropriateness.
Assist with student transfers and adaptive devices, including wheelchairs, standers, and gait trainers; coach students in using communication devices to advocate for their needs.
Follow sanitation protocols and use personal protective equipment as required.
Record objective data related to IEP goals, developmental milestones, behavior logs, and vocational metrics as directed by teachers.
Contribute information to home-to-school folders, notebooks, or electronic logs to update families and teams on student progress, care needs, and community performance.
Protect student records and confidential information in compliance with FERPA and HIPAA requirements.
Collaborate with teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, external agencies, and other team members; provide feedback on the effectiveness of modifications.
Prepare sensory materials and organize learning or vocational environments.
Coordinate and carry out daily travel schedules for community-based instruction and work-site rotations.
Build collaborative relationships with business partners.
Attend district and school functions supporting the district’s strategic framework, initiatives, and core values; complete required district training.
Perform other duties as assigned by leadership or their representatives or designees.