Instructional Assistant II - Special Ed

Job Description:

Instructional Assistant II - Special Ed

Description

Basic Function and Representative Duties

NOTICE OF OPEN AND PROMOTIONAL, COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION TO ESTABLISH AN ELIGIBILITY LIST FROM WHICH SUBSTITUTE, LIMITED TERM, AND REGULAR APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under the direction of a certificated administrator, assist certificated teachers and/or other service providers in reinforcing instruction to individual or small groups of students with special needs; assist in providing learning activities and meeting the special needs of assigned students in areas related to feeding, toileting, positioning, hygiene, motor skills, sensory and physical therapy functions; monitor health conditions. Assist in the preparation of instructional materials and implementation of Individual Education Programs; provide routine clerical duties in support of educational program.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Instructional Assistant I-Special Education incumbents provide instructional support to students classified with mild to moderate learning and/or emotional disabilities.

Instructional Assistant II-Special Education incumbents provide instructional support, health and hygiene services and behavior modifications to students classified with mild to moderate or moderate to severe learning and/or emotional disabilities. Incumbents in this class may be trained in specialized health care procedures.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Assist instructional staff and/or other service providers in reinforcing instruction to individual or small groups of students classified with mild to moderate or moderate to severe learning and/or emotional disabilities in a classroom or other learning environment; monitor and reinforce student drills, practices and assignments in various subjects; assist with the implementation of Individual Education Programs

• Monitor student health conditions; respond to seizures, respiratory problems and other medical emergencies according to District protocols; prepare related paperwork as appropriate; notify appropriate staff of student health conditions and progress

• Observe, monitor and redirect behavior of students in accordance with grade level, student's ability to understand discipline and approved procedures; utilize approved techniques for responding to students whose behavior may escalate to self-injurious or physically aggressive acts, including spitting, pinching, biting, hair-pulling, kicking and hitting; collect data and monitor progress

• Assist students in completing classroom assignments, homework and projects in various subject areas; ensure student understanding of classroom rules and procedures; assist students by answering questions, providing proper examples, emotional support, positive attitude and general guidance; confer with instructional staff and/or other service providers concerning adapting lesson plans and materials to meet student needs

• Assist students with personal hygiene including bathing, brushing teeth and grooming as required; assist students with eating activities; toilet students and change diapers and soiled clothing as required

• Monitor and assist students with activities to develop small muscle and eye-hand coordination; assist students in learning gross motor skills such as walking, jumping and climbing; assist students in learning fine motor skills such as reaching, grabbing, folding, cutting and writing

• Perform routine clerical duties in support of educational activities such as preparing, typing, duplicating and filing instructional materials; distribute and collect student assignments, documents and various forms Reinforce concepts and ensure student understanding of assignments and homework instructions; reinforce vocabulary and concepts as necessary; assist students with meeting individual education goals and objectives; collect data and report progress regarding student performance and behavior

• Observe and redirect behavior of students according to approved procedures; monitor and interact with students during outdoor, physical education and other recreational activities as directed; develop incentives as positive reinforcement; reinforce behavior modification techniques determined by the teacher

• Assist with maintaining student records and files related to progress, behavior and assigned activities; prepare mandated time accounting reports and documentation as required; collect data and monitor student progress

• Assist students to perform and develop independent living and self-help skills such as shopping, counting money, cleaning and related activities as assigned; assist students to develop social, vocational and job searching skills as assigned

• Read books to students and observe their reading abilities; assist students with letter and word pronunciation and recognition; assist students with assignments such as reading, writing and mathematics

• Escort students during the regular duty day as assigned to and from designated locations; accompany students on fieldtrips, recreational therapy activities, social events and during outdoor activities; may accompany students to District-sponsored events or recreational functions

• Assist in maintaining the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures

• Assist in maintaining a learning environment in a safe, orderly and clean manner; provide classroom support by setting up work areas and displays and distributing and collecting paper, supplies and materials

• Maintain confidentiality of student information in accordance with state and federal mandates

• Operate a variety of office and classroom equipment including a copier, computer and software as appropriate

• Communicate with faculty, staff, administrators and others to exchange information and resolve issues or concerns; answer telephone calls, take messages and provide general class and student information as assigned

• Respond to student medical emergencies according to District protocol and prepare related paperwork as appropriate

• Assist in monitoring, classroom supplies;; assist in ordering and arranging food items as appropriate

OTHER DUTIES:

Perform related duties as assigned

Knowledge and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Guidance principles and practices related to students with special needs

Basic subjects taught in local schools, including basic and advanced arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language, history, science and reading

Basic instructional methods and techniques

Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary

Challenges and concerns of students with special needs

Classroom procedures and appropriate student conduct

Safe practices in classroom and playground activities

Operation of standard office and classroom equipment including a computer

Oral and written communication skills

Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and professionalism

Basic record-keeping and report preparation techniques

Serving students with disabilities in full-inclusion settings

ABILITY TO:

Assist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment

Reinforce instruction to individual or small groups of students with special needs

Assist in the preparation of instructional materials in support of Individual Education Programs

Perform routine clerical duties including keyboarding, filing and duplicating materials

Understand and relate to students with special needs

Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Demonstrate an understanding, patient and receptive attitude toward students with special needs

Read books to students and assist with reading and writing activities

Collect data, monitor, observe and report student behavior and progress

Understand and follow oral and written instructions

Operate standard office and classroom equipment including a computer

Observe health and safety regulations

Prepare routine reports

Education, Experience and Other Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and one year experience working with students with special needs in an organized setting

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Valid first aid and CPR certificates issued by authorized agency preferred

Incumbents must meet requirements specified under the No Child Left Behind Act

Some incumbents in this classification may be required to speak, read and write in a designated second language

Working Conditions and Additional Information

ENVIRONMENT:

Classroom and other indoor and outdoor learning environments

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate standard office and classroom equipment

Sitting or standing for extended periods of time

Bending at the waist and/or kneeling to assist students

Lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling students weighing up to 50 pounds and with assistance for over 50 pounds

Seeing to read a variety of materials and monitor student activities

Hearing and speaking to exchange information

HAZARDS:

Contact with dissatisfied, assaultive or abusive individuals

Potential physical hazards involved in intervening in fights and other anti-social, and violent behaviors

Exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious diseases

EXAMINATION INFORMATION:

This is an open and continuous recruitment. This recruitment will have a cut-off date every 90 days.

Cutoff dates for this recruitment will take place yearly on:

March 1, June 1, Sep 1, Dec 1

The first step in the examination process is the application screening and whether or not the candidate meets the minimum qualifications listed. Applicants invited to advance in this recruitment will be scheduled to take the first test soon after the cutoff date.

The testing process may consist of a written exam; an oral exam; a performance exam; a structured interview (SI); a qualification appraisal interview (QAI); an evaluation of training & experience/education (T&E) and/or any combination thereof.

All tests will have a passing score set between 50 and 99 depending of a variety of factors affecting that specific recruitment.

All candidates must pass the first examination process to be invited to the next step/test in the process.

As the testing process consists of a minimum of two examination processes; the weight of each those processes may be determined at any step in the processes.

Qualified candidates will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination(s)/test(s).

Candidates will be notified of the minimum pass points/test score for each examination and/or test in the examination process.

OTHER: Proof of identification for completion of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be submitted at the time of processing for employment.

SALARIES: All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown in the posting and increases are granted at intervals based on the anniversary date.

Notification of Non-Discrimination Policy

The Berkeley Unified School District is committed to fostering a positive working environment for its employees. Accordingly, BUSD practices shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying of any employee based on an employee's actual race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

The Board also prohibits retaliation against any district employee or job applicant who complains, testifies or in any way participates in the district's complaint procedures instituted pursuant to this policy.

The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination regarding Board Policy 4030:

SALARIES: All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown and increases are granted at intervals based on satisfactory service.

BENEFITS (FOR PERMANENT EMPLOYEES): Health plans provide for full coverage for employees and family in the area of medical and dental insurance to a negotiated maximum. All employees who work an average regular assignment of less than 5-1/2 hours a day (.72 FTE or less) shall be entitled to health insurance coverage and dental insurance coverage on a pro-rated basis. This position is covered by Social Security and may be eligible for California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), with joint employee and employer paid contributions. Current members of CalPERS working in other California state, county, city, and school districts can transfer retirement service credit to the District. All employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistant Program (EAP). The District also offers various optional benefits including life insurance, short term disability, Vision Service Plan (VSP), and a medical and dependent care flexible spending option.

VACATION: Regular, non-management, District employees shall accrue vacation as follows:

1-3 Years: Ten (10) working days per year until he/she has completed four (4) years of service.

4-9 Years: Fifteen (15) working days per year until he/she has completed ten (10) years of service.

10-14 Years: Twenty (20) working days per year until he/she has completed fifteen (15) years of service.

15+ Years: Twenty-five (25) working days per year.

Regular twelve (12) month employees shall accrue two (2) additional days of vacation per year at each step indicated above.

HOLIDAYS: Annual employees receive seventeen (17) paid holidays per year:

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans' Day

Thanksgiving Holiday (3 Days)

Winter Board Holiday (3 Days)

New Year's Holiday (2 Days)

Martin Luther King's Birthday

Lincoln's Birthday

Washington's Birthday

Spring Board Holiday

Malcolm X's Birthday

Memorial Day

School Year employees may receive sixteen (16) paid holidays, including all of the above except Independence Day (4th of July).

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Classified employees may also participate in professional development activities to enhance their careers.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER INVESTIGATIONS:

Candidates selected for appointment may be required to pass a medical examination given by a Commission-designated physician to determine physical fitness for District employment. The Commission may disqualify any eligible candidates on the basis of the examining physician's report. The District also conducts a fingerprinting background check for all potential candidates for hire. All convictions must be declared and explained on the application; failure to do so will automatically disqualify the application. Tuberculosis tests must be completed and a negative result must be supplied prior to beginning work.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$23.49 - $28.65 Hourly