Special Education Assistant (SEA) - Muir - 0.2 FTE - 26-27 SY

Madison Metropolitan School District•Madison, WI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Assistant (SEA) provides specialized support to students with disabilities 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 students served and support required vary by assignment, and may include early childhood development, academic access in grades 4K–12, implementation of IEP supplementary aids and services and behavior or regulation plans, and vocational independence for students ages 18–21. The role supports instruction and inclusive participation; implements positive behavior strategies and safety procedures; supervises students; provides personal care, mobility, and communication-device assistance; collects and documents student progress and care information; and collaborates with school staff, families, and community partners. Work may occur in classrooms, living labs, community job sites, and outdoors, and may require travel to other district locations. School-based positions are in person unless otherwise directed by the building principal.

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 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 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 while respecting student dignity.
Accurately record academic and behavioral data and maintain student confidentiality under FERPA and HIPAA.
Communicate effectively and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
Transition between classroom, community, 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; assist with orthopedic equipment.
Stand, walk, kneel, squat, and reach for extended periods and keep pace with students during transitions and outings.
Remain focused in environments with varying noise, lighting, and activity levels.
Recognize changes in students’ physical health or emotional state and promptly alert the appropriate supervisor or medical staff.
Follow health and sanitation policies, including use of PPE 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; travel to other district locations or off-site meetings as needed.

Responsibilities

Support early-childhood learning through play-based activities and scaffold foundational skills.
Implement modified curriculum and intervention strategies as directed to support student independence and academic access.
Provide job coaching at community work sites for students ages 18–21, break vocational tasks into manageable steps, and fade support as students gain mastery.
Prepare adapted instructional materials, such as 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, transitions, and community or workplace activities.
Modify physical and social environments to foster belonging and student engagement.
Provide personal care, including dressing, eating, diapering, toileting, bathroom assistance, and tube feedings or medication administration as directed by health plans.
Assist with student transfers and adaptive equipment, and coach students in using communication devices to advocate for their needs.
Follow sanitation and personal protective equipment protocols.
Record objective data related to IEP goals, developmental milestones, behavior logs, and vocational metrics as directed by teachers.
Contribute daily updates to family and team communication tools while maintaining FERPA and HIPAA confidentiality.
Collaborate with teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and external agencies on student supports and modifications.
Prepare sensory materials and organize 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 supporting district initiatives, complete required training, and perform other duties as assigned.