Special Education Assistant (SEA) - Sánchez - 0.447 FTE - 26-27 SY

Madison Metropolitan School District•Madison, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Assistant performs highly specialized work with students with disabilities across the developmental lifespan. 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 member, the assistant adapts support to the assigned student population. Duties may include fostering foundational development in early childhood, supporting academic access in grades 4K–12, providing supplementary aids and services required by student IEPs and behavior or regulation plans, and coaching vocational independence in transition services for students ages 18–21. The population served varies with the position’s location and assignment. The role supports instruction and inclusion, behavioral and safety needs, personal care and mobility, progress monitoring, communication with families and teams, and coordination of classroom and community-based activities. The position is school-based and in person unless otherwise directed by the building principal, and may involve travel among district locations and off-site meetings. Work environments include classrooms, living labs, job sites, and outdoor settings in inclement weather. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Meet one of the following: hold an associate degree; have completed 48 academic credits beyond high school; or pass an onsite District assessment in lieu of either education requirement.
Hold a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Special Education Program Aide License (1015), or obtain one within a timeframe determined by the District.
Understand special education terminology and inclusive practices, and maintain high expectations for students.
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.
Operate and troubleshoot adaptive devices, communication boards, and specialized educational software.
Perform sensitive personal care tasks, including diapering, bathroom assistance, and tube feedings, while preserving student dignity.
Accurately record academic and behavioral data and maintain student confidentiality under FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
Communicate effectively and collaborate with teachers and multidisciplinary teams.
Transition between classroom, community-based, and vocational settings while maintaining a daily schedule.
Frequently lift, push, pull, and transfer students, including loads of up to 50 pounds or more as required by district policy; assist with orthopedic equipment such as wheelchairs and standers.
Stand, walk, kneel, squat, and reach for extended periods, and keep pace with students during transitions, recess, or community outings.
Remain focused on safety and engagement in environments with varying noise levels, lighting, and activity.
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 use of personal protective equipment when necessary.
Safely assist students with the physical requirements of boarding and exiting school buses and navigating field trips.
Participate in ongoing training on safety protocols, medical updates, and inclusive instructional strategies.
Be able to work in varied settings, including classrooms, living labs, job sites, and outdoors in inclement weather, and travel to district locations and off-site meetings.

Responsibilities

Support play-based learning and foundational skills in early childhood settings, and reinforce academic learning by implementing modified curriculum and intervention strategies as directed.
Provide on-site job coaching for students ages 18–21, break vocational tasks into manageable steps, and gradually fade support as students gain mastery.
Prepare adapted literacy and instructional materials, including recorded books, visual schedules, and communication boards.
Assist with positive behavior strategies, behavior intervention plans, safe-space procedures, emotional regulation, and district-approved safety protocols.
Supervise students during lunch, recess, field trips, bus loading and unloading, classroom activities, and community work-site activities; maintain active awareness and respond to potential safety, behavioral, or medical concerns.
Modify physical and social environments to support 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 dignity.
Assist with student transfers and adaptive equipment, and coach students in using high- or low-tech communication devices.
Follow sanitation and personal protective equipment requirements.
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 about student progress, care needs, and community performance.
Protect the confidentiality of student records and comply with FERPA and HIPAA requirements.
Collaborate with teachers, occupational and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and external agencies to provide feedback on student supports and modifications.
Prepare sensory materials and organize classroom, learning, or vocational environments.
Coordinate and carry out travel schedules for community-based instruction and work-site rotations.
Build collaborative relationships with business partners.
Attend district and school functions that support the district’s strategic framework, initiatives, and core values; complete required district training.
Perform other duties as assigned by leadership or their representatives.