District Behavior Support Assistant

District Behavior Support Assistant
(12 positions)
FLSA Status: Non-union, Non-Exempt, 10-month position
 
The Behavior Support Assistant assists the educators in the delivery of educational and/or behavioral interventions for all students.  This role aims to foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere that addresses the diverse academic, social, and emotional needs of students. By working closely with teachers, administrators, and support staff, the Behavior Support Assistant strives to help each student achieve their full potential and successfully reintegrate into the traditional classroom setting when appropriate. Due to the varied and individual needs of each student, Behavior Support Assistants may provide a variety of support and assistance and should be flexible in adjusting to students' needs.  Behavior Support Assistants report directly to the School Principal in collaboration with the Executive Director of Student Personnel Services.
 
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assists educators in performing specific duties as assigned or undertaking specialized tasks.
• Maintains various records and files.
• Works with individuals or small groups to reinforce behavioral interventions and supports.
• Assists with a variety of assignments and tasks associated with the needs of students.
• May be assigned to assist educators, school counselors, and administrative staff.
• Assists educators with collection of student work and other tasks, and enforces discipline and safety rules.
• Notifies and supports educators to provide classroom management support. 
• Performs a variety of tasks, such as helping to provide support in morning and afternoon arrival and dismissal processes.
• Supports the social-emotional learning needs of students. 
• Assists with large group activities.
• Guides independent study and other work assigned by educators.
• Reports student problems to educators and assists with student problems.
• Assists with the sale of supplies and collection of monies.
• Performs cafeteria, hall, and/or bus duties; helps supervise playground and physical education activities.
• Assists with lunch, snacks, clean-up, lavatory, clothing, wash-up routines, and students' arrival and departure.
• Escorts students to classes; assist students during meals.
• Ability to perform other duties assigned by the school principal in order to meet the specific needs of the Pawtucket School Department and its students.
• Flexibility to change building assignments as directed based on student needs.

 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with all student
• Ability to work as a team member with building staff to provide services to children
• Ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and mathematics
• Ability to use sound judgment and knowledge of student behaviors and school department policies and procedures to make decisions
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with individual students or groups of students according to the educational plan.
• Ability to assist students’ educational needs including personal, emotional, and skill development.
• Ability to observe and record information on student performance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to practice patience with employees, students, supervisors, and the general public
• Timely completion of tasks and paperwork requirements

 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED and minimal experience working with children, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of successful work experience.

 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bi-lingual
• Safety Care training
• CPR/AED training
• Previous experience working with children
• Associate degree or higher, or completion of at least 2 years of study at an institute of higher education or have passed the ParaPro Exam.

 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Frequently required to stand, sit, and walk
• Frequently required to talk and hear
• Must be able to feel attributes of objects, grasp, push, reach, and stoop/kneel/crouch
• Occasional lifting or carrying weighing up to 50 pounds
• Must have clarity of vision, precise hand-eye coordination, and the ability to identify students and ensure safety
• The work environment is typically within a school classroom setting, although the employee may be exposed to adverse weather conditions related to outdoor recreation events
• May be exposed to bodily fluids when assisting students with physical needs

 
YEARLY REQUIREMENT
Professional Development hours as set and approved by the Pawtucket School Department