Job Description
Summary Provides assistance to special education teachers; performs tasks related to the physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a special educational setting; assists with implementation of classroom programs and activities.
Qualifications Required - Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or possession of a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) certificate.
- One (1) year of experience working with children as a volunteer or paid employee, or equivalent participation in a teacher education introductory course with the provision of documented support.
- Advanced degree(s) beyond the minimum degree requirement in a relevant field may be considered for some experience.
- Knowledge of child growth and development and group interaction.
- Knowledge of health, safety, and first-aid methods.
- Knowledge of physical and intellectual disabilities, and applicable instructional procedures and practices.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to assist with providing a wide variety of educational experiences for students to meet their individual, intellectual, and emotional needs.
- Ability to assist a teacher with the use and adaptation of a range of instructional techniques and related technology, and to participate in the monitoring and control of a wide range of behaviors.
- Ability to learn and apply the instructional goals and policies of Fairfax County Public Schools.
- Ability to work effectively with students and staff.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Preferred - Trained in the use of a particular type of equipment or specialized skill, such as the ability to communicate with children with special needs (such as deaf/blind and nonverbal).
Major Duties/Essential Functions - Performs curricular, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to assist teachers and other professional staff in a special education classroom or other setting.
- Assists the teacher with conducting classroom activities and with evaluating behavior management activities.
- Contributes to the assessment of individual student needs and progress and development of appropriate individualized programs.
- As instructed, works with individual and small groups of students to develop fine and gross motor skills.
- Reviews and reinforces work adjustments and related vocational experiences with students.
- Assists in daily and long-term planning of activities with teachers.
- May be assigned to assist with providing instruction in basic skills, and to supervise in off-site vocational training and community travel settings.
- On a limited basis, may continue instructional and work activities during the teacher's absence from the classroom.
- Helps maintain order and assists in managing the behavior of students, including behavior intervention plans, de-escalation strategies, and crisis intervention.
- Assists with monitoring students in halls, entering or exiting buses, on school grounds, in a cafeteria, and other areas.
- Instructs and assists students with daily living skills including toileting, feeding, dressing, and other personal and facilities hygiene needs as required.
- May perform certain medical procedures or give medication under supervision and with appropriate instructions.
- Provides assistance to students, which may involve transferring to and from wheelchairs to floor, table, or therapy devices.
- Supports students with assistive technologies.
- May oversee and lead attendants or volunteers.
- May perform administrative and non-instructional duties, such as keeping daily attendance or recording of work hours of students in a vocational program.
- Assists with maintenance of files containing student work and evaluation and assessment data; observes, gathers, and records assessment data on students; reviews observations/progress of students with instructional staff.
- Performs related duties as required or assigned.
Work Environment/Physical Requirements This job operates in a school environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. May require physical strength, agility, and dexterity to assist in de-escalating student behavior that is disruptive or harmful to self or others. This role routinely uses standard classroom equipment such as computers, phones, projectors, smartboards, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and assistive technology. Uses instructional technologies (smartboards, laptops, document cameras, projectors, etc). Uses assistive technology with students (computers, augmentative communication devices, adaptive technology peripherals, etc). While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to regularly stand, sit, walk, bend, and/or kneel. This job requires lifting up to 35 lbs., and occasional lifting/moving up to 70 lbs. and/or use of a Hoyer lift.
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