Special Education Assistant/Building Bridges

General Definition of Work

The Educational Sign Language Interpreter provides accurate, effective interpreting services that facilitate full access to instruction, communication, and school-related activities for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This role supports student learning by interpreting between spoken English and sign language for students, peers, educators, and staff across a variety of educational environments.

Qualifications

Prior to employment, paraprofessionals must meet the assessment requirement by passing the Paraprofessional Assessment (ETS.org). The minimum passing score on this test is 456.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary/Status

185 days/7.5 hours per day (Full-Time)

Start Date

Determined by Human Resources

Reports To

Principal/Director of Exceptional Student Education

Place of Work

The normal place of work is on the premises used by Rock Hill Schools. Rock Hill Schools reserves the right to require you to work at such other place(s) as it may reasonably require from time to time.

Essential Functions

• Assist the teacher in the implementation of the instructional program.
• Assist the teacher in preparation of materials and activities for the instructional program.
• Assist teachers in various non-instructional tasks, such as record keeping.
• Assist teacher in supervision of students.
• Assist in assembling/hanging material on bulletin boards and keeping displays current.
• Operate standard school equipment such as laminator, copier and audiovisual, etc.
• Escorts students to and from various rooms.
• In some instances, the assistant would monitor bus students while being transported.
• Working with special needs students you must be willing to do any of the following:
• Feeding children: preparing food, blending, monitoring special diet restrictions, tube feeding (cleaning and caring for tubing and equipment).
• Diapering: lifting, cleaning, applying ointment as needed, and disposing of soiled diapers by bagging appropriately. Clean changing surface.
• Watching: observe for seizure activity, breathing problems, safety, collect data
• Positioning: changing positions to a minimum of 3x daily, (double lifts only to prevent staff injury) proper use of equipment such as side lyers, standers and swings.
• Inclusion: take to activities such as art and assist with activity and manage behavior.
• Mobility: assist with mobility.
• Loading and unloading buses: putting wheelchairs on the lifts and removing them safely.
• Help with evacuating multiple wheelchairs as needed (i.e. Fire drills).
• Laundry: keeping bibs, washing clothes, etc. washed and dried daily.
• Sanitize class equipment and toys.
• Dishes: washed and sterilize individual adapted cups, etc.
• Monitor students during and in the absence of the classroom teacher to ensure physical and environmental safety and to ensure their conduct and discipline are in control.
• Provide instruction to the students as advised by the teacher.
• Assist teacher in checking and evaluating students’ work; teach students individually and in small groups reinforcing skills based upon instructional guidelines.
• Monitor duties such as hallways, lunchroom, restrooms and bus duty; ensure appropriate student conduct during these periods; escort students to designated activity areas such as music room, computer room, art class, assemblies, etc. Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge of various disabilities (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, ADHD, learning disabilities, physical impairments, sensory impairments).
• Awareness of how disabilities affect learning, behavior, communication, and social interactions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules.
• Ability to speak effectively with elementary-age students and/or employees in a school environment.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measurement, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Application of percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations is required.
• Strong communication skills with students, staff, and administration.
• Understanding a child’s behavior and dynamics.
• Skilled in problem solving and patience.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

Education and Experience Required

• Minimum employment requirements; at least (60 earned semester hours) at an accredited institution of higher education; or an associate's degree (or higher); or a South Carolina approved state or local academic assessment that measures the paraprofessional's knowledge of and ability to assist in instruction at the appropriate level.
• Paraprofessionals may meet the assessment requirement by passing the Paraprofessional Assessment (ETS.org). The minimum passing score on this test is 456.

Special Requirements

• Must have and maintain a valid Driver’s License or ability to provide own transportation
• Prior to beginning employment, negative TB test results must be provided

Physical Requirements/Work Conditions

• Regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms and occasionally required to sit.
• Frequently squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and reach forward.
• Frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk more than the average person while performing the duties of this position.
• Must be able to occasionally lift or physically support students during the day in compliance with safety guidelines.
• May occasionally push/pull items such as tables and seating. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Will regularly work indoors and may occasionally work outdoors.
• Will work near moving mechanical equipment and may occasionally work near or with toxic or caustic chemicals such as petroleum products, degreasers, and sprays.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Frequent interruptions and immediate attention to unexpected situations are expected.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit official transcripts, three professional references with at least one Page 3 of 3 supervisory reference and a copy of the appropriate credentials as part of the application process.

Pre-Onboarding Requirements

As a condition of employment and prior to onboarding, the district will conduct a criminal history background check. The recommended candidate will be required to provide personal information necessary to complete the background check such as date of birth, gender, and race to remain in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this job. Job description is sourced from employee interviews, internal documents, representative job descriptions in similar districts, and other state/federal agencies.

Rock Hill Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.