Laurel Meadow Elementary School Special Education Instructional Assistant (26-27 School Year)

Hanover County Public Schools • Mechanicsville, VA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Instructional Assistant supports the classroom teacher in providing intervention and instruction to students with special needs. The role provides instructional, behavioral, and personal care support and performs related tasks as directed. Work is under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher, although the assistant may independently carry out particular parts of the instructional program when asked.

The position is scheduled for 7.25 hours per day for 10 months (207 days). It is a non-exempt, Grade 6 role. Salary offers are based on related job experience. The work takes place in school settings, including classrooms, gyms, cafeterias, auditoriums, and recreational areas. The role involves close daily contact with children, support for classroom management and learning, and communication with staff, parents, and medical professionals. Occasional field trips and meetings or training beyond normal assigned hours may be required.

Requirements

• Ability to develop and maintain an open and accepting attitude toward students with disabilities.
• Ability to operate audiovisual and standard office equipment.
• Willingness to learn specialized instructional and behavior-management techniques used with students with disabilities.
• Ability to communicate and develop effective working relationships with students, parents, and staff.
• Skills and knowledge in word-processing and data-processing software.
• Ability to perform Safety Care intervention training.
• For Title I school placements, meet the highly qualified requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 through at least one of the following: passing the Paraprofessional Assessment with a minimum score of 455, having a minimum of 48 college credits, or holding at least an associate degree.
• High school diploma and previous experience working with groups of children; comparable training and experience may be substituted for minimum qualifications.
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds unassisted.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and across varying noise, temperature, and air-quality conditions.
• Ability to participate physically in Safety Care intervention training.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree; a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in Child Development is preferred.
• Prior experience working with groups of children.
• Assignment-specific training, such as training on aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorder, may be required depending on placement.

Responsibilities

• Assist the classroom teacher in delivering intervention and instruction to students with special needs.
• Provide instructional, behavioral, and personal care support to students.
• Carry out particular aspects of the instructional program independently when directed by the classroom teacher.
• Perform related tasks as required and directed.
• Support classroom management and the learning environment through daily close contact with children.
• Assist or restrain students and operate specialized or office equipment as needed.
• Move students, including transfers from wheelchairs to tables or desks, and occasionally accompany students on field trips.
• Attend parent conferences, building-level meetings, and division-wide meetings and training activities when required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED