Programs for Young Children Floater Instructional Assistant

Purpose of Position/Summary:

The Programs for Young Children (PYC) Floater Instructional Assistant supports day-to-day instruction for preschool students with special needs.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

The PYC Floater Instructional Assistant is specifically responsible for the following:

Thinks with a student-focused mindset aligned with the vision of the District's strategic plan;

Demonstrates knowledge of the developmental needs of students in an early childhood setting;

Working knowledge of special education equipment to support students with tools needed to access their curriculum;

Manages documentation as requested by the teacher, Programs for Young Children Coordinator or Specialist;

Assists the teachers to remain compliant with issues regarding services of student's IEPs and/or early childhood accreditation;

Works collaboratively with principals, teachers, and staff in the development of appropriate supports for preschool students;

Attends in-service training for Programs for Young Children staff, special education staff, and preschool special education staff;

Provides support to struggling teachers and/or students in preschool special education classrooms;

Communicates effectively, and in a timely manner, with colleagues to problem solve, serve as a thought partner, and to resolve situations proactively;

Perform duties assigned by the Special Education Director.

Core Competencies

Critical core competencies for successful performance in this role are:

Highly-developed communication skills (written/verbal) and interpersonal savvy

Results/action-orientation; project management skills

Organizational agility; Integrity;

Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, diversity and trust

Able to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment

Strong strategic analysis skills

Respectful of time and deadlines

Qualifications

This role provides privileged access to the inner workings between the IPS Special Education Department and partner organizations. The successful candidate will be discrete, high-energy, agile-minded, strategic, proactive, a direct communicator, highly-organized and committed to the vision and values of Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and the IPS Special Education Department. In addition, the following standards will generally define the successful incumbent:

Ability to be creative in developing alternatives to meet special education needs at each school;

A track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of actors;

Excellent communication skills and strong analytical and writing capabilities;

Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgment;

Strong organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills;

Proactive nature; able to anticipate conflicts before they arise;

Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively;

Personal Work Relationships:

The individual in this position works with a wide range of PYC staff, partners, administrators and service providers across the District. The individual must possess and employ a variety of personal and interpersonal skills in the discharge of the position's responsibilities. This position requires a positive attitude when dealing with staff and PYC constituents. Good judgment, discretion and individual initiative are necessary for the effective discharge of the position's significant responsibilities.

Physical Effort:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear. Students are often supported with diaper changes and toileting needs. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described in this document are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.