4K SEA - Leopold - 0.611 FTE - 26-27 SY

Madison Metropolitan School District•Madison, WI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Assistant works 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 position provides specialized support to students with disabilities. Duties are adapted to the assigned student population and may include fostering foundational development in early childhood, supporting academic access in 4K–12, providing supplementary aids and services specified in student IEPs and behavior or regulation plans, and coaching vocational independence in transition services for ages 18–21. The role supports instruction, positive behavior, student supervision, personal care, mobility, assistive technology, data collection, communication with families and teams, and collaboration with multidisciplinary staff. It may involve work in classrooms, living labs, community job sites, and outdoors, as well as travel to different district locations and off-site meetings. School-based positions are in person unless otherwise directed by the building principal. This position is listed at 0.611 FTE for the 2026–27 school year, with a starting compensation of $25.47 per hour. It is non-exempt.

Requirements

Meet one of the following: have an associate’s degree, have completed 48 academic credits beyond high school, or pass an onsite District assessment in lieu of either educational 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 all 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 in line with district-mandated training.
Operate and troubleshoot high- and low-tech 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, including ABC logs, and maintain student confidentiality under FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
Communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and teachers.
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, or community outings.
Work in environments with varying noise levels, lighting, and activity while remaining focused 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 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.
Meet the physical requirements of frequent lifting, pushing, and pulling; squatting, kneeling, reaching, and extended standing; and manual dexterity for operating office or medical equipment and handling small instructional tools.
Work in varied environments and travel to district locations or off-site meetings as needed; school-based positions are in person unless otherwise directed by the building principal.

Responsibilities

Support 4K students’ learning through play-based activities and scaffold foundational skills such as tool use and letter recognition.
Implement modified curriculum and intervention strategies to maximize student independence in general education environments.
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 materials, including recorded books, visual schedules, and communication boards.
Assist with monitoring and implementing positive behavior strategies, behavior intervention plans, safe-space procedures, emotional regulation supports, and district-approved safety protocols.
Supervise students during lunch, recess, field trips, bus loading and unloading, classroom activities, transitions, and community or workplace activities.
Adapt physical and social environments to foster belonging and student engagement.
Perform frequent headcounts, maintain appropriate proximity and line of sight, monitor for risks or signs of behavioral or medical distress, and intervene as needed.
Provide personal care, including changing and dressing, eating assistance, diapering and potty training, bathroom assistance, and tube feedings or medications according to health plans.
Maintain privacy and age-appropriate dignity during personal care and follow sanitation and PPE protocols.
Assist with student transfers and use of adaptive devices, including wheelchairs, standers, and gait trainers; coach students in using communication devices to advocate for their needs.
Record objective academic, behavioral, developmental, IEP-goal, and vocational progress data as directed by CC 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.
Maintain FERPA and HIPAA confidentiality, including awareness of the legal status of students who have reached the age of majority.
Collaborate with teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and external agencies to provide feedback on the effectiveness of modifications.
Prepare sensory kits 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; and perform other duties as assigned.