Special Education Assistant (SEA) - Emerson - 0.8 FTE - 26-27 SY

Madison Metropolitan School District•Madison, WI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Assistant (SEA) performs 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, the assistant adapts support to the assigned population and location. Work may include fostering foundational development in early childhood, supporting academic access in grades 4K–12, providing supplementary aids and services under students’ IEPs and behavior or regulation plans, and coaching vocational independence in transition services for ages 18–21. The position supports instruction, positive behavior and safety, personal care, mobility, data collection, communication with families and teams, and collaboration with school and community partners. School-based positions are in person unless otherwise directed by the building principal. Work may take place in classrooms, living labs, community job sites, and outdoors, and may require travel to district locations and off-site meetings.

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 qualification.
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.
Be able to adapt 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 district-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 maintaining student dignity.
Accurately record academic and behavioral data and maintain student confidentiality under FERPA and HIPAA.
Communicate and collaborate effectively with teachers and 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, and assist with orthopedic equipment.
Stand, walk, kneel, squat, and reach for extended periods, and keep pace with students during transitions, recess, or community outings.
Work effectively in environments with varying noise, lighting, and activity, and recognize changes in student health or emotional state to alert appropriate staff.
Follow health and sanitation policies, including use of personal protective equipment when necessary.
Safely assist students with loading and unloading school buses and navigating field trips.
Engage in ongoing training on safety protocols, medical updates, and inclusive instructional strategies.
Work in person in school-based settings unless otherwise directed by the building principal, and travel to other district locations or off-site meetings when required.

Responsibilities

Support play-based learning and foundational skills in early childhood, and implement modified curriculum and intervention strategies for students in grades 4K–12 as directed.
Provide job-site coaching for students ages 18–21, break vocational tasks into manageable steps, and gradually 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 approved safety protocols.
Supervise students during lunch, recess, field trips, bus loading and unloading, classroom activities, and community or vocational settings.
Adapt physical and social environments to foster belonging and student engagement; maintain active supervision and intervene when safety or health concerns arise.
Provide personal care, including dressing, eating, diapering, toileting, bathroom assistance, and tube feedings or medication administration according to health plans, while protecting student dignity and privacy.
Assist with student transfers and adaptive equipment, and coach students to use 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 measures as directed by teachers.
Contribute information to family communication tools and electronic logs, and maintain confidentiality under FERPA and HIPAA, including for students who have reached the age of majority.
Collaborate with teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and external agencies regarding student support and modifications.
Prepare sensory materials and organize classroom 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 and complete required district training.
Perform other duties as assigned by leadership or their representatives.