Special Services Aide 2nd semester LOA

Special Services Aide - VHHS - 2nd Semester (LOA)

Overview: The Special Services Aide will support the department in carrying out responsibilities related to servicing students with special education needs. This position may include responsibilities such as: general classroom assistance; small group leader of instructional activities; 1:1 with a student; and other responsibilities that support teaching, learning, behavior and access for students with disabilities.    

Reports to:  Special Services Department Chair

Employee Status: Educational Support Professional - Direct Paraprofessional

ESP Bargaining Union

Calendar: 184 Teacher Attendance Days, 7:45am - 3:45pm

Qualifications: Education and experience equivalent to high school graduation

Preferable experience in working with children/adolescents with special needs

Illinois Paraprofessional license required

Professional/Personal Characteristics:

• Previous experience in an educational setting preferred
• Excellent organizational skills and time management skills
• Ability to perform multiple tasks concurrently under varying deadlines
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to identify sensitive information and maintain confidentiality
• Proficient with Google G-Suite, office and phone equipment
• Ability to work as part of an educational team to support the needs of individual or groups of students

Job Responsibilities:

• Partner and assist in creating an equal and respectful learning environment while reinforcing classroom expectations
• Communicate routinely as part of the educational team with student’s case manager, nurse, teachers and parents in communication logs about student’s progress or needs
• Assist and collaborate with teachers as needed in planning accessible steps and supports with instructional process and in adapting learning materials with visual, sequential, and/or auditory prompts
• Assist students during instruction and in the completion of learning activities 
• Implement the services and supports as written in the student’s IEP or 504 Plan, including the use of positive behavior supports and de-escalation strategies 
• Escort & assist students around the learning environment, with the use of adaptive equipment, and in managing their materials and behaviors
• Physically assist students with transferring from wheelchair to desk and/or with personal care needs (i.e., changing for PE, bathroom assistance, etc.) 
• With training, perform administrative tasks such as: taking data on student performance; adapting materials; making copies; filing; and/or updating or transferring data or information between IEPs or other documents as a collaborative member of the special services department
• Support students as a job coach at in-building worksites in developing pre-vocational employability skills 
• Willingly engage in professional learning to enhance and develop stronger skills as a member of the educational community

• Additional duties may be assigned by the supervisor

Application Process: Candidates will be selected by Administration based on above criteria