Teacher Assistant II - Special Education

POSITION TITLE

2441 TEACHER ASSISTANT II - SPECIAL EDUCATION                                                            

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONS OF WORK

Performs responsible human support and paraprofessional work assisting classroom teachers by working with individual special needs students or small groups; does related work as required.  Work is performed under the regular supervision of assigned teachers, therapists or and/or building administrators.

This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects, and some medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions and noise.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS

This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge or skills associated with 

• Assisting teachers or other professionals to achieve instructional objectives; assisting special population students with achieving established goals, with personal care and mobility; assisting with a variety of tasks to help facilitate daily instruction and activities 
• Assists classroom teacher in performing specific duties as assigned or undertaking specialized tasks to achieve and enhance instructional objectives;
• Works with individuals or small groups to reinforce material introduced by teacher;
• Provides programmed practice activities and repetitions as developed by teacher, therapist or pathologist;
• Assists with large group activities;
• Escorts students to special classes and therapy;
• Guides independent study and other work assigned by teacher;
• Reports student problems to the teacher and assists with student problems; and assists with student behavior and classroom management;
• Assists students with mobility needs, assists with loading and unloading buses;
• Assists with breakfast, lunch, snack, cleanup, lavatory, clothing, personal hygiene, and washup routines;
• Provides classroom coverage and instructional support for teacher absences
• Participates in inservice training programs as assigned;
• Performs related tasks as required.

Note:  The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities.  It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

General knowledge of the practices, methods and techniques used in the teaching of special education population; ability to deal effectively with special students and teachers; skill in the use of classroom and instructional equipment; ability to operate audio visual, standard office, word and data processing equipment; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with teachers, parents, students and the general public.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Successful completion of 48 hours of college credits or passing the ParaProfessional Test and prior experience working with children.

FLSA STATUS

Non-Exempt

AA/EOE STATEMENT

This employer does not knowingly discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or national origin.