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

Madison Metropolitan School District•Madison, WI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Assistant (SEA) 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 role provides specialized support to students with disabilities across developmental stages. Duties vary according to the assigned location and population, and may include fostering early-childhood development, supporting academic access in grades 4K–12, implementing supports specified in students’ IEPs and behavior or regulation plans, and coaching vocational independence for students ages 18–21. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. The SEA supports instruction and student access, implements positive behavior supports, supervises students, and assists with personal care, mobility, adaptive technology, and communication devices. The role also collects and documents student progress and care information, collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and families, and helps prepare learning environments and coordinate community-based instruction. School-based positions are in person unless otherwise directed by the building principal. Work may take place in classrooms, living labs, job sites, and outdoors in inclement weather, with travel to district locations and off-site meetings as needed.

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 current 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 alignment 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 feeding, while maintaining student dignity.
Accurately record objective academic and behavioral data and maintain student confidentiality under FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
Communicate effectively and collaborate with teachers and multidisciplinary teams, including OT, PT, and SLP staff.
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 such as wheelchairs and standers.
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 remaining focused on student safety and engagement.
Recognize subtle 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.
Have manual dexterity to operate office or medical equipment and handle small instructional tools.
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, including navigating learning centers and activities.
Implement modified curriculum and intervention strategies to support student independence in general education settings.
Coach students ages 18–21 at community work sites, break vocational tasks into manageable steps, and gradually fade support as students gain mastery.
Prepare adapted learning 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, school-bus loading and unloading, and community or workplace activities.
Maintain active supervision by monitoring students, anticipating risks, and recognizing early signs of behavioral or medical distress.
Help adapt physical and social environments to support student belonging and engagement.
Provide personal care, including dressing, eating, diapering, toileting, bathroom assistance, and tube feeding or medication administration as directed by health plans.
Provide care respectfully, protecting student privacy and maintaining age-appropriate practices.
Assist with student transfers and adaptive equipment, and coach students in using communication devices to express their needs.
Follow sanitation and personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols.
Record objective student data as directed by CC Teachers, including IEP goal data, developmental milestones, ABC behavior logs, and vocational metrics.
Contribute information to family and team communications, including notebooks, home-to-school folders, and electronic logs.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with FERPA and HIPAA requirements, including requirements applicable to students who have reached the age of majority.
Collaborate with teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and external agencies, including DVR, and provide feedback on 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 that support MMSD’s strategic framework, initiatives, and core values; complete required district training.
Perform other duties as assigned by leadership or their designees.