Job Title: Instructional Assistant Student Support
IA: ESE, IA: DJJ| Reports to: | Site Administrator |
| Job Group: | School-Related Personnel |
| FLSA: | Non-Exempt |
| Job Code: | Varies |
| Salary Schedule: | PG02 |
JOB GOAL
Responsible for assisting teacher(s) in providing a well-organized, smoothly functioning educational environment in which students can take full advantage of the instructional program and available resources, under the direct supervision of a Highly Qualified Teacher, as applicable to the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) programs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Monitor, assist, supervise, and support students during teacher-directed whole group, small group, individualized instruction, independent work, and cooperative learning activities.
- Assist teacher(s) with classroom/student management and maintaining a safe classroom environment that is conducive to effective learning, including monitoring student behavior using positive behavior supports.
- Provide follow-up and review after teacher-directed instruction and learned behaviors and skills, including the use of assistive technology, in a comprehensible manner that enables students to approach and interrelate topics from a variety of perspectives, interests, and points of view.
- Support students’ instructional programs through the preparation and implementation of educational materials, lesson plans, media, and technology and assist with the design of the academic program based on the assessed needs of students.
- Perform clerical tasks associated with instructional activities, prepare the classroom for activities, and prepare/collect materials and equipment for teacher(s) as needed, including adaptive equipment when applicable.
- Demonstrate a breadth of subject matter knowledge using the current references, materials, and technologies of the subject field, and communicate the information using language and style appropriate to the developmental stage of the learner.
- Aid with supervision, escorting, and movement of students in specific school settings or specialized functions during the school day, before and after school, during emergency drills, assemblies, and between class times (e.g., playground, media center, physical education class, mealtime in the cafeteria, etc.).
- Provide support in developing/maintaining students’ daily living needs and medical needs, such as toilet needs, lifting, diapering, feeding and personal hygiene, transferring, positioning, and ambulation as necessary.
- Assist teacher(s) in observing, recording, and maintaining data about student performance and behavior and health status, and maintain confidentiality concerning this data.
- Assist with implementing the goals and objectives of students’ Individual Educational Plans (IEPs).
- Aid with management of chronic health conditions by monitoring students’ health status and administering procedures as indicated in the students’ IEP of individual health care plan.
- Provide, under the supervision of ESE teachers, accommodations/modifications and related services as documented in the students’ IEPs.
- Serve as a resource by supporting the teachers’ efforts to organize and coordinate the instructional program for students with disabilities and perform additional support duties as delegated by the principal or their designee.
- Aid with positioning students in standers, walkers, and/or wheelchairs throughout the day.
- Intervene with District-Approved Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), first aid, medication, and child-specific procedures when indicated and appropriately trained.
- Ride the bus and assist with the arrival, departure, and transportation of students, including loading and unloading students at home and school and monitoring health status of students as needed.
- Assist teacher(s) with administration of appropriate assessments and evaluation of student progress and comprehension on a regular basis, including preparing progress reports, providing feedback, and maintaining open lines of communication with students and parent(s)/guardian(s) as applicable, which includes preparing and disseminating family communication documents.
- Assist teacher(s) with taking necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, materials, equipment, and facilities.
- Demonstrate dependability, integrity, and respect for individual differences.
- Maintain required certifications by participating in workshops and in-service training sessions as required.
- Assist with implementing educational and instructional goals that align with the District’s philosophy of education and instructional programs, Department of Education requirements, provisions of State and Federal law, and Head Start requirements, when applicable.
- Follow District policies and procedures concerning education, health, safety, personal information, and the wellbeing of students.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Knowledge and ability to assist in instructing subjects including, but not limited to, reading, writing, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate
- Operating knowledge of computer programs, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and web-based technologies and platforms
- Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, orally and in writing, including electronic media
- Excellent time management skills and ability to organize, prioritize, and manage work assignments in an efficient manner and within established timeframes
- Knowledge of record-keeping procedures
- Ability to collect, summarize, analyze, and graph data
- Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders
- Ability to work collaboratively with others and facilitate groups to consensus
EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
- Associate degree from an accredited institution in the field of Education, or related field
- OR
- 60 semester hours of college/university level course work from an accredited institution
- OR
- Obtain qualifying score to pass the ParaPro Assessment
- All employees must satisfactorily complete any required trainings
- All employees must meet all mandated federal and state health requirements
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS
Instructional Assistant Student Support ESE:
Satisfactory completion required within 6-month period of the following training and/or certification provided by the District:
- Pediatric First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- First Aid
- Medication administration
- Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)
- In addition, CPR and First Aid training must be completed every two years and CPI training needs to be kept current and renewed on a regular basis.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Three years’ experience in a similar position or experience with students with disabilities
- Applicable training in behavior disorders and appropriate interventions
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
None
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
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.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, and hear. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds. Specific vision ability required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Indoors and Outdoors: The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside.
MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT
Proper use and handling of crutches, wheelchairs, standers, other adaptive equipment and devices as necessary, and general office equipment, including personal computers, fax machines, copiers, telephones, etc.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District’s approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be established by the District.
Performance of the job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the School Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Pasco County Schools will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.
