Special Education Instructional Aide
Primary Purpose
Support the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, communication, and physical development of students receiving special education services in a variety of instructional settings. Assist the special education teacher with implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), delivering teacher-directed instruction, reinforcing academic and functional skills, supporting behavior interventions, and meeting students' personal care and medical needs as required. Work under the general supervision of the campus principal and the immediate direction of a certified special education teacher.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Instructional Support
- Assist the special education teacher in implementing students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), accommodations, modifications, and instructional goals.
- Work with individual students and small groups to reinforce academic, communication, social, behavioral, vocational, and functional skills previously introduced by the teacher.
- Deliver teacher-directed instructional activities, guided practice, and intervention lessons designed to increase student achievement and independence.
- Provide appropriate prompting, modeling, cueing, hand-over-hand assistance, and positive reinforcement as directed by the supervising teacher.
- Collect observational and academic data regarding student performance, behavior, progress toward IEP goals, and instructional interventions.
- Assist in administering classroom assessments, progress monitoring tools, and teacher-developed instructional activities under the direction of certified staff.
- Prepare instructional materials, adaptive resources, assistive technology, visual supports, and classroom learning centers.
- Assist students in using instructional technology and assistive devices to access the curriculum.
- Support students during inclusion, resource, life skills, community-based instruction, vocational training, and other educational environments as assigned.
- Assist substitute teachers in understanding classroom routines, instructional procedures, and student supports.
Student Support and Behavior Management
- Build positive, respectful relationships that encourage student engagement, confidence, independence, and self-advocacy.
- Implement behavior intervention plans (BIPs), de-escalation strategies, positive behavior supports, and reinforcement systems as directed by certified staff.
- Assist in maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment.
- Respond appropriately during behavioral crises using approved district training, state regulations, and district procedures.
- Monitor student safety throughout the instructional day including classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, recess, arrival, dismissal, buses, field trips, and community-based instruction.
- Communicate student concerns, progress, and observations promptly to the supervising teacher.
- Adapt to students' unique learning, communication, behavioral, medical, sensory, emotional, and physical needs while promoting maximum independence.
Personal Care and Physical Assistance
- Assist students with daily living skills including feeding, toileting, hygiene, dressing, mobility, positioning, transfers, and other personal care needs while preserving student dignity and privacy.
- Safely assist with lifting, transferring, repositioning, wheelchair mobility, and adaptive equipment according to district training and student-specific plans.
- Follow all health care plans, medical protocols, safety procedures, and infection-control practices.
- Utilize adaptive equipment, assistive technology, communication systems, and specialized materials as required.
- Monitor students for health, safety, and physical concerns and immediately notify appropriate personnel when concerns arise.
Classroom and Administrative Support
- Maintain an organized, safe, clean, and engaging instructional environment.
- Assist with inventory, organization, maintenance, and care of instructional materials, adaptive equipment, and classroom resources.
- Maintain accurate documentation as assigned, including instructional data, behavior logs, attendance records, and other required documentation.
- Assist with preparation for ARD meetings, parent communications, and required paperwork as directed by the supervising teacher.
- Participate in required meetings, staff development, campus events, and professional learning activities.
- Provide assistance with clerical tasks that support instructional programming.
Professional Responsibilities
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all student information in accordance with FERPA, IDEA, district policy, and professional ethics.
- Follow all federal, state, district, and campus policies, procedures, and safety protocols.
- Collaborate professionally with teachers, administrators, therapists, related service providers, nurses, families, and other staff members.
- Participate in required training including CPI/nonviolent crisis intervention (or district-approved program), special education procedures, medical protocols, and instructional practices.
- Demonstrate professionalism, dependability, flexibility, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Perform other duties as assigned that support student success and campus operations.
Equipment Used
May operate instructional technology, desktop and laptop computers, tablets, copy machines, audiovisual equipment, adaptive and assistive technology devices, communication devices, wheelchairs, gait trainers, positioning equipment, lifts, ramps, medical supplies, feeding equipment, gloves, mobility devices, and other classroom equipment as assigned.
Working ConditionsMental Demands
- Maintain emotional control in high-stress situations.
- Work effectively with students exhibiting significant academic, behavioral, emotional, medical, or physical needs.
- Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
- Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced educational environment.
Physical Demands
- Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, squatting, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting.
- May assist with lifting, transferring, positioning, and supporting students using appropriate equipment and district-approved lifting techniques.
- Frequent use of computers and instructional technology.
- Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations involving student safety.
Environmental Conditions
- Work inside classrooms and instructional settings with occasional outdoor supervision duties.
- May accompany students during field trips, vocational training, and community-based instructional activities.
- May be exposed to bodily fluids and communicable illnesses; universal precautions are required.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $25,000.00 - $30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Physical Setting:
Application Question(s):
- Have you every been charged with, adjudicated for, or convicted of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor?
- Have you ever been convicted of, admitted committing, or are you awaiting trial for any crime (excluding only minor traffic violations not involving any allegation of drug or alcohol impairment)? You must answer, "YES" even if the matter was later dismissed, deferred, vacated, or expunged. If you answer "YES," you must provide dates of the proceedings, the court where the proceedings occurred, a statement of the accusation against you, and the final disposition of the case(s).
- Have you ever been dismissed (fired) from any job, or resigned at the request of your employer, while charges against you or an investigation of your behavior was pending? You must answer "YES" even if the matter was later resolved with any form of settlement or severance agreement, regardless of the terms. If you answer "YES," you must provide the date of termination of employment, the name, address, and telephone number of the employer(s), and a statement of the alleged reasons for termination, resignation, or allegations against you.
- Have you ever had any license or certificate of any kind (teaching certificate or otherwise) revoked or suspended, or have you in any way been sanctioned by, or is any charge or complaint now pending against you before any licensing, certification, or other regulatory agency or body, public or private? If you answer, "YES," you must provide the dates of proceedings, name, address, and telephone number of the agenda or body where proceedings took place, a statement of the accusations against you, and the final disposition.
- Are you now being investigated for any alleged misconduct or other alleged grounds for discipline by any licensing, certification, or other regulatory body (teacher certification or otherwise) by your current or any previous employer? If you answer, "YES," you must provide the name, address, and telephone number of the employer or licensing body and a statement of the accusations against you.
- Have you ever been found guilty of, entered a plea of nolo contendere (no contest) or been arrested for, been charged with, or are you awaiting trial for any felony or misdemeanor offense under Federal, State, or Tribal law involving crimes of violence; sexual assault; molestation; exploitation; contact or prostitution; crimes against persons; or offenses committed against or involving children? You must answer "YES" even if the matter was later dismissed, deferred, vacated, or expunged. If you answer "YES," you must provide dates of the proceedings, the court where the proceedings occurred, a statement of the accusation(s) against you, and the final or current disposition of the matter.
- Please provide three professional references, including at least one current or previous supervisor. Include their name, email, and phone number. References will only be contacted if a job offer is to be made. All job offers are contingent upon a background check. This question cannot be left blank.
- If offered the position you will be required to get your Educational Aide certification (you will have 30 days from your hire date to do so). Are you willing to do that?
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Special education: 1 year (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Paraprofessional Certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
