Instructional Assistant Special Education (Kinder & 4/5) - 0.725 FTE 29 hours per week

POSITION DESCRIPTION INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT/SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSIFICATION: Classified SALARY: Range 3 WORK YEAR: 180 days DEFINITION Under the supervision of the Principal or Superintendent, the Instructional Assistant provides instructional support for individual students or small groups of students, and assists certificated personnel with instructional organization and activities. The Instructional Assistant/Special Education provides instructional support for students with special needs in RSP and SDC programs. SUPERVISOR The Instructional Aide is supervised by the Principal or Superintendent, in collaboration with certificated personnel. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in the job description are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities in accordance with State and federal requirements. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Essential Duties: • Assists certificated personnel to support instruction of individual students and small groups of students • Directs routine activities to reinforce instruction in academic and self help skills • Helps to monitor students’ academic progress • Assists in preparing instructional materials • Assists in maintaining a safe and suitable learning environment • Assists in supervising students on study trips and during other school activities • Assists in communicating with parents • Helps to maintain files and student records • Assists in providing program modifications and accommodations • Assists in providing transition activities • Assists with the IEP procedures Other Duties: • Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED This is a moderate stress level position in a classroom and school environment. It requires physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone and business machines (including computer and calculator); vision sufficient to read printed materials; hearing sufficient to conduct in-person and telephone conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard at normal conversational distance; physical agility to push, pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, and reach overhead; physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment (classroom, office, school site to school site), drive an automobile, and respond to emergency situations; physical strength to lift 25 pounds; physical stamina sufficient to sit for prolonged periods of time; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make valid judgments and decisions. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED Knowledge of: • Academic subject areas to be able to assist in the instruction of reading, writing and mathematics • Proficiency in English, both oral and written • General concepts of child growth, development and behavior Ability to: • Assist students one on one and in small groups • Maintain an understanding, patient, warm and receptive attitude toward children • Assist in the management of student behavior and maintaining classroom discipline through positive reinforcement strategies • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work • Maintain a neat and orderly learning environment Education and Experience • High school diploma or equivalent; and AA degree or higher; or completion of two years (48 units) of college credits • First aid and CPR training Desirable Qualifications • Experience in an instructional setting • Experience in working with diverse groups • Experience in Special Education • Proficiency in Spanish, both oral and written, highly desirable