What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cross Categorical SPED Educational Assistant position at West Allis-West Milwaukee School District?
Job Summary:
The Special Education Educational Assistant provides essential support to students with disabilities and staff across various learning environments. This role involves assisting students with physical, emotional, and cognitive needs, facilitating their inclusion in school activities, and implementing instructional strategies developed by professional staff.
Qualifications:
- Candidates must have completed two-years of post-secondary education (48 credits) or an associate’s degree
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Provide direct support to students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) under the supervision of professional staff.
- Assist with classroom activities, including small group instruction and one-on-one support.
- Implement teacher-developed educational plans, manage classroom materials, and perform general clerical tasks.
- Supervise students in various settings, including the classroom, lunchroom, playground, and during arrival/dismissal.
- Provide support during testing.
- Provide support only therapy services and specialized feedings.
- Communicate effectively with teachers, staff, parents, and administrators while maintaining confidentiality.
- Attend meetings and participate in professional development opportunities as required.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Ability to work effectively with students with mild to severe physical, emotional, or cognitive needs.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills to interact with teachers, students, and staff members.
- Patience, empathy, and professionalism in managing challenging student behaviors.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to district guidelines.
- Strong organizational and time management skills to prioritize multiple tasks.
- Ability to follow teacher directives and collaborate with staff.
- Ability to effectively supervise and interact with students in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Completion of two years of post-secondary education (48 credits) or an associate’s degree or meet the Title One ParaProfessional Highly Qualified Requirements using the alternate program.
- Possession of or eligibility for a Wisconsin DPI-issued Special Education Educational Assistant license.
- CPR/First Aid certification (training provided by the District).
- Pro-Act Certification (provided by the District).
Terms of Employment:
- Non-exempt
- Maybe part time or full time. Full time = 40 hours per week
- 10-month position during the school year
Physical Requirements:
- Frequent standing, walking, and sitting; occasional stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
- Ability to lift and move up to 60 pounds.
- Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
- Protective gloves may be required when handling bodily fluids.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Typical office and/or school environment.
- Primarily indoors, with occasional outdoor supervision.
- May include exposure to varying weather conditions during outdoor activities.
Equal Opportunity:
It is the policy of the District that persons seeking employment with the District shall not be discriminated against in employment by reason of their age, race, creed, color, religion, handicap or disability, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sex, citizenship, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, arrest record, conviction record, military service, membership in the National Guard, state defense or reserves, political affiliation, use or nonuse of lawful products off the employer's premises during non working hours, declining to attend a meeting or to participate in any communication about religious matters or political matters, the authorized use of family or medical leave or worker's compensation benefits, genetic information, physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other factor protected by local, state or federal law in all employment practices including terms, conditions and privileges of employment.
Reasonable accommodations shall be made for qualified individuals with a disability, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the District. Requests for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act must be submitted to the Human Resources Department.