Salary: $18.25 - $24.54 Hourly
Location : Throughout Poway Unified School District, CA
Job Type: Part Time
Job Number: 23-0016
Site/Dept: Special Education SPED
Opening Date: 06/26/2023
Number of Working Months: 9.5
Description
PLEASE NOTE: This recruitment is for both Instructional Assistant I & II Special Education, substitute and contracted positions. You will indicate on the supplemental questions the position(s) for which you are applying .
All qualified candidates will be placed on an Eligibility List for 6 months.
This is a 9.5 month position.
Candidates who possess a valid and current CA teaching credential,
will be placed at Step 6 of the salary range designated for this classification.
BASIC FUNCTIONS:
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT I SPECIAL EDUCATION
Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, provide instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a designated special education instructional program, including Special Day Class (SDC), Resource Specialist Program (RSP), Adapted Physical Education (APE), Inclusion, Designated Hard of Hearing (DHH) or other non-critical care instructional program; perform instructional support activities related to behavior management and other related activities to special education students; perform a variety of routine clerical duties.
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT II SPECIAL EDUCATION
Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to individuals or groups of students in an assigned critical skills special education program including Severely Handicapped, Physical Handicapped or Transition programs; monitor and report student progress regarding behavior and performance; perform a variety of clerical and supportive duties related to classroom activities.
The Instructional Assistant I-Special Education classification supports the instruction and activities related to a designated non-critical special education program.
Incumbents assigned to the Instructional Assistant II-Special Education classification perform more complex instructional support and assistance for students enrolled in a self-contained and critical skills environment as the primary assignment, including Severely Handicapped and Physically Handicapped programs where handicapping conditions are generally more severe.
Examples of Duties
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT I SPECIAL EDUCATION
Provide instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a designated special education instructional program, including Special Day Class (SDC), Resource Specialist Program (RSP), Adapted Physical Education (APE), Inclusion, Designated Hard of Hearing (DHH) or other non-critical care instructional program. E
Assist in the preparation of a variety of instructional materials and learning aides; rephrase materials and explain instructions and words; administer, monitor and score a variety of tests; assist in the implementation of curriculum for assigned areas of instruction. E
Assist students in completing classroom assignments, homework and projects in various subject areas; assist students by answering questions, providing proper examples, emotional support, friendly attitude and general guidance. E
Reinforce instruction to students with learning disabilities and language, communication and behavioral problems; confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet the individual needs of special education students. E
Provide instructional assistance to individuals or groups of special education students in a special class or when mainstreamed into regular classrooms; assist special and regular education students with whom they are mainstreamed during classroom activities, lunch, physical education periods, recess and various other activities as directed. E
Observe and control behavior of students in the classroom according to approved procedures; monitor special education students during outdoor activities as directed; report progress regarding student performance and behavior. E
Assist teacher with implementation of Individualized Education Plans or Physical Training Programs through instruction in a variety of activities; provide guidance for students in various areas including academic learning, vocational, social and leisure skills, physical development, self esteem and personal hygiene. E
Perform a variety of clerical duties such as preparing, typing and duplicating instructional materials; assist in administering, proctoring and scoring classroom tests and charting student progress; record grades and student attendance as required; maintain student records and files. E
Maintain the confidentiality of student records and information according to established guidelines. E
Provide support to instructional personnel by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits; operate and assist students in the operation of audio-visual and educational training equipment. E
Implement assigned sections of pupil behavior management plans which may involve use of approved behavior modification, physical management techniques or other skills or knowledge to establish and maintain appropriate behaviors. E
Monitor and assist student with special learning needs in drill, practice and study activities; direct students into safe learning activities and functions; assists students in loading and unloading buses. E
Assist in the development of communication skills with students experiencing language, hearing, vision and other disorders. E
Maintain classroom environment in a safe, clean and orderly condition; assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures which may include lifting, toileting and diapering as necessary; assist with lifting students in and out of wheelchairs and pushing students in wheelchairs as necessary. E
Participate in staff meetings, in-service training programs and parent conferences as assigned. E
Operate a variety of audio-visual equipment, electronic teaching machines and office equipment including typewriter, copier, computer and assigned student software. E
Assist in the management of student behavior through the use of positive reinforcement strategies and techniques; observe and control behavior of students according to approved procedures; assist in the shaping of social behavior. E
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT II SPECIAL EDUCATION
Assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to students in an assigned special education program such as Severely Handicapped (SH), Physical Handicapped and Transition special education assignments; provide support and assistance to special education students in a classroom or designated learning environment. E

Assist in the preparation of a variety of instructional materials and learning aides; rephrase materials and explain instructions and words; administer, monitor and score a variety of tests. E

Reinforce instruction to students with learning disabilities and language, communication and behavioral problems; confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet the individual needs of special education students. E

Assist with lifting students in and out of wheelchairs, braces and other orthopedic equipment and pushing students in wheelchairs as necessary; assist staff members in positioning pupils and in rendering various forms of personal care such as toileting and diapering, dressing, undressing, bathing and grooming; assure the safe use and operation of wheelchairs, prosthetic devices and other equipment. E

Assist teacher with implementation of Individualized Education Plans or Physical Training Programs through instruction in a variety of activities; provide guidance for students in various areas including critical life skills, academic learning, social and leisure skills, physical development and personal hygiene. E

Perform a variety of clerical duties such as preparing, typing and duplicating instructional materials; assist in administering, proctoring and scoring classroom tests and charting student progress; record grades; maintain student records and files including confidential student records information. E

Perform routine first aid including emergency treatment of children experiencing seizures or respiratory problems orthopedic distress and pulmonary conditions; maintain daily documentation of specialized physical health care services and procedures as assigned. E

Provide support to instructional personnel by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits; operate and assist students in the operation of audio-visual and educational training equipment. E

Implement assigned sections of pupil behavior management plans which may involve use of approved behavior modification, physical management techniques or other skills or knowledge to establish and maintain appropriate behaviors; supervise and discipline students according to approved policies and procedures. E

Provide instructional assistance to individual special education students in mainstreamed classrooms; assist special education students during classroom activities, lunch, physical education periods, recess and various other activities as directed. E

Monitor and assist student with special learning needs in drill, practice and study activities; direct students into safe learning activities and functions; maintain an orderly, attractive and positive learning environment; assists students in loading and unloading buses. E

Maintain the confidentiality of student records and information according to established guidelines. E

Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures which may include lifting, toileting and diapering as necessary. E

Participate in staff meetings, in-service training programs, home visits and parent conferences as assigned. E

Operate a variety of audio-visual equipment, electronic teaching machines and office equipment including typewriter, copier and computer terminal. E

Assist in the management of student behavior through the use of positive reinforcement strategies and techniques; observe and control behavior of students according to approved procedures; assist in the shaping of social behavior. E
Perform related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications

Instructional Assistant I Special Education
Passage of the PUSD examination for this classification.
Instructional Assistant II Special Education
Valid certifications of First Aid, Adult/Child CPR and AED must be obtained within the first six months of employment or be submitted at the time of application. Only certifications provided by American Heart Association, American Red Cross or District approved provider for First Aid, Adult/Child CPR and AED will be accepted. Online certifications will be accepted from these vendors as long as a hands-on skills assessment is completed.
Supplemental Information

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT I SPECIAL EDUCATION
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Child guidance principles and practices related to children with special education needs.
Problems and concerns of students with special needs.
General subjects taught in District schools such as mathematics, reading, writing, grammar, English, literature, history, science.
Safe practices in classroom activities.
Basic instructional methods and techniques.
Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
Oral and written communication skills.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
Basic record-keeping techniques.
Classroom procedures and appropriate student conduct.
ABILITY TO:
Provide instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a designated special education instructional program.
Perform instructional support activities related to behavior management and other related activities to special education students.
Reinforce instruction to students with disabilities, communication and behavioral problems.
Assist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment.
Perform clerical duties related to classroom activities.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Understand and work within scope of authority.
Work confidentially with discretion.
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT II SPECIAL EDUCATION
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Child guidance principles and practices related to children with special education needs.
Problems and concerns of students with special needs.
Basic subjects taught in District schools including arithmetic, reading, writing, grammar and spelling.
Safe practices in classroom activities.
Basic instructional methods and techniques.
Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
Oral and written communication skills.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
Basic record-keeping techniques.
Classroom procedures and appropriate student conduct.
ABILITY TO:
Assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to individuals or groups of students in an assigned critical skills special education program.
Monitor and report student progress regarding behavior and performance.
Perform a variety of clerical and supportive duties related to classroom activities.
Reinforce instruction to students with learning disabilities, communication and behavioral problems.
Assist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Work confidentially with discretion.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Understand and work within scope of authority.
Work confidentially with discretion.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
ENVIRONMENT:
Indoor and outdoor working environment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to assist students.
Restrain students who become physically aggressive.
Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations.
Seeing to read assignments and to monitor student activities.
Lifting disabled students in and out of specialized equipment.
Carrying, pushing or pulling to assist students in wheelchairs.
HAZARDS:
Potential exposure to communicable diseases and contact with blood and other body fluids.
Potential exposure to physical injury from aggressive behavior.
In accordance with Personnel Commission Rules and Regulations of Classified Service # 70.200.1, new employees to Poway Unified School District will be placed at Step 1 (Minimum Salary) of the official salary range designated for the position. Any variances in initial placement are addressed in, and shall be carried out in agreement with, this rule.
The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is an equal opportunity employer/program and is committed to an active Nondiscrimination Program. PUSD prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
For more information, please contact the
Title IX/Equity Compliance Officer
Associate Superintendent of Personnel Support Services,
Poway Unified School District
Poway Unified School District offers an excellent benefits package for eligible employees who are contracted for 20 (twenty) or more hours per week.
Benefits include:

• Retirement - CalPERS
• Holidays - 16 paid holidays per year (based on 12 month employment contract)
• Vacation - Starting at 12 days per year for 12 month employees, increasing with length of service
• Sick Leave - 12 paid sick days per year (for 12 working months)
• Medical and Prescription Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Travel Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness/Mental Health Benefit
• Flexible Benefit Plan Options

For further information regarding our benefits, please visit our website at:
01

The following supplemental questions will help us determine how well you meet the minimum employment qualification standards for this position. Qualified means that you meet the minimum qualifications found in the job description. Incomplete responses will disqualify your application or reduce the credit given for your qualifications. Respond honestly and truthfully to all questions. Over-evaluating your skill level is considered providing false and/or misleading information. Applicants found to have provided false or misleading information of their skills will be disqualified from further employment processing, or if hired, immediately terminated from employment. Please note: (*) Answering "See Application" or "See Resume" on any of the following questions may result in your application being disqualified from further consideration in the recruitment process. (*) Your related work experience must be clearly shown in the areas for work history on your application. (*) The information provided in answering these questions will be considered in determining whether you will move to the next step and may be used as part of a technical and experience evaluation. (*) I acknowledge that I have read and understood the above statement. (Please initial in the space provided below).
02

Please indicate the position(s) for which you are applying. (You may apply for both.)

• Instructional Assistant I Special Education (This position supports the instruction and activities related to a designated non-critical spedical education program.)
• Instructional Assistant II Special Education (This position performs more complex instructional support and assistance for students enrolled in a self-contained and critical skills environment as the primary assignment, including Severely Handicapped and Physically Handicapped programs where handicapping conditions are generally more severe.)

03

This position requires a minimum of one year experience working with students of various age levels requiring a specialized learning environment. DESCRIBE how you meet this minimum qualification.
04

This position of Instructional Assistant II Special Education requires that valid certifications of First Aid, Adult/Child CPR and AED be obtained within the first six months of employment or submitted at the time of application. Only certifications provided by American Heart Association, American Red Cross or District approved provider will be accepted. Online certifications will be accepted from these vendors as long as a hands-on skills assessment is completed. Proof of current certification may be scanned and attached to your application. If not submitted, do you understand that you must obtain it within the first six months of employment.

• Yes
• No

05

The following question is to help determine which classification(s) and classroom types you are applying for. Please click all that apply:

• Resource Specialist Program (IA - I)
• Non-Severly Handicapped (IA - I)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder-Non-Severly Handicapped (IA - I)
• Poway Academy of Learning (IA - I)
• Critical Skills (IA - II)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder- Basic (IA - II)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder- Academic (IA - II)
• Behavioral Academic Social Emotional Support (IA - II)

06

Many of the Instructional Assistant positions are 3 hours. Are you available to work ONLY 3 hours per day?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you interested in working as a SUBSTITUTE for Instructional Assistant - Special Education?

• Yes- I am ONLY interested in substituting.
• Yes- I am interested in substituting AND would also like to be considered for a vacant position.
• No- I am NOT interested in substituting.

08

SPED - Imagine you are working with a student who uses a wheelchair and who requires assistance in toileting. While going to the restroom, he refuses your assistance and loses his balance. What would you do?

• Quickly assist the child while calling for help
• Do NOT assist the child because they have refused your assistance
• Do NOT assist the child but call for help

09

SPED - While in the classroom, the student you work with must follow whose directions?

• The teacher's directions only
• Your directions only
• Both your and the teacher's directions

10

SPED - When assisting your student with a more difficult lesson, the student starts showing early signs of an emotional meltdown. What would you do in this scenario?

• Try a different way of explaining the information
• Tell the student if she cannot finish the lesson, she won't be able to do what she likes
• Send the student for a walk on their own

11

SPED - Imagine you have been working with a student for a couple months, developed a great relationship and the student really likes you. One day, the student wants you to share your cell phone number with him. How would you respond to his request?

• Give the student your number
• Tell the student to ask their parent if that is ok
• Let the student know that you are not allowed to share your cell phone number with your student

12

SPED - Suppose you receive a call from the parents of the student you are working with. The parents want to know how their child is doing in achieving the education goals set by the IEP. What is the best response to this request?

• Tell them how the student is doing
• Kindly direct them to ask the teacher
• Get the parents' contact info and tell them you'll get back to them

13

SPED - If a non-verbal student begins to have a significant behavior such as destruction of the classroom, screaming, falling on the floor, how would you address this behavior and what would be your next steps?

• Explain to the child that their behavior is causing a distraction
• Wait for the child to stop the behavior, then try to determine what caused this behavior
• Use calming strategies and assist the child out of the classroom.

14

SPED - You may be responsible for accompanying a group of students with moderate to severe disabilities to a general education class for inclusion purposes. Which would be an example of how you can help make a general education classroom more accessible to students with significant disabilities?

• Allow the students to introduce themselves to the class
• Sit students in the back of the classroom to prevent distractions
• Advise the general education students to act nice or be reprimanded

15

SPED - What is an IEP?

• A document that details a teacher's education goals with a general education student
• A document highlighting goals and special services for a student who is eligible for special education
• A document highlighting special services for any student a part of a specific district

16

Are you CURRENTLY an employee of PUSD - if so, what is your category? Please check all that apply

• No - not currently an employee
• Currently a Certificated Teacher
• Currently a Classified Staff
• Currently a Classified SPED Staff

17

Would you like to work ESY (Extended School Year) - Summer Program

• Yes
• No

18

Please check below for positions you would like to be considered for. (Check ALL that apply)

• School Year
• Summer
• Substitute (On Call/As Needed)

Required Question