Special Education Assistant - Elementary Repost_Rolling Interviews (Updated 10/5/23)

Position Type:
Teacher Assistant - Special Education
Date Posted:
10/5/2023
Location:
TBD
The North Penn School District seeks to develop a community that values and adapts to diversity. We strive to acknowledge, respect, understand, and celebrate the dynamics of racial and cultural differences. Through the development of culturally proficient staff, the establishment of structures that promote equitable opportunities, and partnerships with families and students, our School District will create an environment of respect where all members of the school community are empowered to learn, grow, and appreciate one another. We look forward to your interest!
Title: Special Education Assistant
Reports To: Building Principal and/or designated administrator, Special Education Supervisor, and Department Chair
Takes Direction From: Principal, Special Education Supervisor and Special Education Teachers
Schedule/Calendar: 7 hours/day 35 hours/week 183 days/year
Summary: Satisfactorily performs a variety of duties in support of student(s) Individualized Education Programs/Plans and/or assists disabled student(s) in both special and regular education settings as directed by professional staff. Duties may include personal care, instruction, clerical tasks, restraining, and/or lifting. Assignments may include, but are not limited to, providing academic, behavioral, environmental and physical/personal support to students.
Essential Functions:

• Performs or assists daily with required and accurate record keeping, data collection (behavioral, academic, and medical), progress monitoring of IEP goals, administration of assessments including standardized and district
• Modifies curriculum and/or instructional activities as directed
• Utilizes lesson plans to assist in instruction and reinforcement of student learning via individual or small group instruction, including supplementary or independent projects
• Monitors, maintains and reinforces behaviors and learning by following behavior and individual management plans
• May be required to use proper restraining techniques or assist professional staff with restraints

• Student behaviors may include, but not limited to, hitting, kicking, biting, pinching, pulling hair, spitting, pushing, cursing, and running

• Escorts/moves students to other locations daily or as required

• When necessary, assists with physical needs related to mobility, such as lifting, transferring, assisting with wheelchairs, lifts, and other equipment, etc

• Protects and oversees the safety and health and well-being of students in community-based learning environments

• Monitors playgrounds, lunchrooms, hallways, study halls, and other student locations
• Accompanies and oversees assigned student(s) at all required times

• Regularly assists students with personal and hygienic care skills, including but not limited to, toileting and/or diapering, hand washing, tooth brushing, and hair combing as outlined in student records (IEPs, 504s, and any other applicable document)
• Maintains student, staff, and school confidentiality, including medical information
• Prepares instructional materials (copy, collate, laminate) as directed
• Assists staff (OT, PT, S&L, nurse) in providing support services to students across all learning environments as directed
• Monitors adaptive equipment and reports any equipment that is in need of repair, batteries, or other attention to operate properly
• Satisfactorily performs other duties as assigned

Education and/or Certification Required:

• Associate's degree or 2 years of higher education;
• Continuing Education/Certification as required by state and/or federal mandates

Experience Needed:

• 2 years and/or demonstrate a knowledge of children.

Requisite Skills:

• Work as a team member and be able to follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff, & school community
• Ability to exercise good judgment
• Ability to prioritize tasks, meet timelines and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to students and staff
• Ability to accept change and handle other non-routine or unscheduled tasks as assigned
• Being proactive, demonstrate motivation and initiative
• Knowledge of first aid, CPR and computer software
• Ability to support a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion

ADA Compliance: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions of this position.
Physical Requirements: Sedentary Light work Medium work Heavy work Very heavy work
Sedentary: involves sitting most of the time. Incumbent should be able to exert up to 10 lbs of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or move objects.
Light work: If the use of arm and/or leg control requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the individual sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work. The incumbent should be able to exert up to 20 lbs of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Medium work: The incumbent should be able to exert up to 50 lbs of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs of force constantly to move objects.
Heavy work: The incumbent should be able to exert up to 100 lbs of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 lbs of force frequently, and/or up to 20 lbs of force constantly to move objects.
Very heavy work: The incumbent should be able to exert in excess of 100 lbs of force occasionally, and in excess of 50 lbs of force frequently, and in excess of 20 lbs of force constantly to move objects.