Special Education IA - Skills Trainer - Oak Grove Academy

• Job Description

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  • This posting will remain open until filled.
  • Location: Oak Grove Academy - Tom McCall Upper Elementary or Gales Creek
  • Hours: 6.5 hours/day 
  • Permanent and Temporary positions available
  • Start Date: September 2nd-October 1st 2025, pending your clearance for Background and Fingerprints.  
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred, but not required
  • Benefits: Medical, Dental, Retirement-PERS and Tuition Reimbursement Available

   

  Job Classification: Instructional Services

   

  Job Title: Skills Trainer

   

  Position Summary

   

  The role of “Skills Trainer” offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact under the guidance of a licensed professional. This position is integral to the success of teaching and therapeutic teams, providing focused academic and behavioral support to students with diverse impairments—emotional, behavioral, neurological, cognitive, and psychiatric—within a specialized public school setting. Skills Trainers are pivotal in fostering an inclusive learning environment and reports to the Special Education Administrator or their designee.

   

  About Oak Grove Academy

   

  Oak Grove Academy serves students in grades 6-12 who require special education services and thrive in a supportive, structured setting. Our two locations are dedicated to transforming challenges into successes by addressing students' social-emotional needs, behavioral issues, and developmental disabilities. Oak Grove Academy prides itself on offering a holistic therapeutic program with comprehensive, integrated mental health, behavioral, and academic support tailored to each student’s unique needs, ensuring their growth and achievement throughout the school day. To ensure we can provide evidence-based, individualized support, we maintain a low student-to-staff ratio.

  For more information about our school and job opportunities, candidates can contact the program administrator at CSlaughter@fgsd.k12.or.us
  

   

  ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Offer behavioral support both inside and outside the classroom, utilizing techniques such as redirection, positive reinforcement, collaborative discussions, and planning with students, in alignment with the program model.
  • Guide students in acquiring and practicing social, emotional, and academic skills.
  • Deliver individual and small group instructional services to students under the supervision of a licensed staff member.
  • Implement crisis intervention and physical management techniques per SafetyCare training to ensure the safety of students, staff, and facilities. Ride district buses in the morning and afternoon as necessary to ensure students arrive at school safely and follow SafetyCare methods on the bus if required.
  • Provide ongoing supervision and monitoring of students, especially during transition periods throughout the school day (e.g., arrival, meals, breaks, recess, etc.), in collaboration with other staff members. Track and document student progress as directed.
  • Continuously assess the level of intervention required to support and facilitate classroom learning activities.
  • Work closely with licensed Mental Health Specialists, administration, and classroom staff to understand students' skill levels, characteristics, strengths, disabilities, learning styles, and primary objectives.
  • Comply with mandatory reporting laws and promptly report any suspicions of potential abuse, neglect, self-harm, or endangerment of others to the program Principal, program coordinator (or designated substitute).
  • Build and maintain a rapport with students that reflects professionalism and respect, adapting interaction styles to meet the needs of individual students.
  • Safeguard the confidentiality of information related to students and their families. Conduct searches of students when necessary, in accordance with program guidelines.
  • Stay informed about program safety protocols and implement all required instructions, participate in drills, and emergency procedures.
  • Actively attend and participate in regular department and other staff meetings.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to develop creative solutions for challenging student situations. Mentor peers when requested to assist with the orientation and training of new staff or those new to their positions.
  • Support school health protocols and oversee student needs related to health, first aid, and the isolation of students exhibiting concerning health symptoms.

   

  OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Confers regularly with immediate supervisor
  • Demonstrates professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, and dress in a neat, clean, and appropriate professional manner for the assignment and work setting
  • Maintains consistent and predictable attendance to meet the requirements of the position.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

   

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

   

  Education: High School diploma or equivalent; 72 quarter hours of accredited college or equivalent education or passing score on District Highly Qualified Assessment. Bachelor’s Degree preferred, but NOT required.

   

  Experience: Perfer 1-2 years of experience working with behaviorally at-risk children, or an equivalent amount of education and experience.

   

  Skills: 

  Skills and Qualifications:

  • Skills and Qualifications:

    • Proficient with computers, office equipment, and technology.

    • Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

    • Highly organized and detail-oriented.

    • Sensitive to the needs of students with disabilities (e.g., Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy).

    • Able to assist with instruction across subjects such as reading, social studies, and math.

    • Communicates effectively with parents, staff, and students.

    • Skilled in basic math, clerical tasks, and proper grammar and spelling.

   

  Knowledge: Knowledge of child development principles and instructional methods or a willingness to learn. 

Abilities: Work harmoniously with others. Work and communicate effectively with students, parents, and school personnel from diverse cultures or backgrounds in English, Spanish, or other languages related to the job. Work independently without supervision, and with minimum oral/written instructions. Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods, understand and carry out oral and written instructions, maintain confidentiality of student records, meet schedules and deadlines, read/interpret/apply rules, regulations and policies. Ability to concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to rapidly learn methods and materials used in a variety of instructional situations and use appropriate teaching methods as described by program supervisory staff. Ability to manage student behavior through the use of verbal and physical cueing. Significant physical abilities include lifting/reaching/handling, talking/hearing conversations, near/far visual acuity, moving to various locations within the classroom and school. Ability to perform physical management techniques on children.

Continuing Education/Training Clearances: Pre-employment criminal justice fingerprint clearance and criminal background check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

In a 6.5-8 hour work day, this job requires:

R- Rarely (Less than .5 hr per day) O-Occasionally (.5-2.5 hrs per day)

F-Frequently (2.5-5.5 hrs per day) C-Continually (5.5-8 hrs per day)

NA-Not applicable

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be required to physically interact with students who are aggressive, emotional and/or unpredictable in their reactions. The employee may be exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but occasionally may be very loud. The work environment may be fast paced and emotionally demanding.

The Forest Grove School District is an equal opportunity employer and provides services to the public on an equal opportunity basis and does not discriminate in employment or the provision of public services on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, citizenship or marital status.

Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact the Director of Human Resources at the Forest Grove School District, 503-359-2414.

Salary : $21 - $26