Job Description

Instructional AIde/Bus Aide - Special Education

BOONE COUNTY SCHOOLS

SPECIAL EDUCATION AIDE / INSTRUCTIONAL AIDE / BUS AIDE

Position Title: Special Education Aide / Instructional Aide / Bus Aide
Employment Term: As established by the Boone County Board of Education
Classification: Service Personnel
Reports To: Principal and/or Designee
Evaluation: Performance evaluated in accordance with Boone County Schools policy and applicable West Virginia law and regulations.

The Special Education Aide / Instructional Aide / Bus Aide provides instructional, behavioral, personal-care, and transportation support to students as directed by the classroom teacher, special education teacher, school administrator, and other appropriate personnel.

The employee assists students in accessing the educational program and supports the implementation of instructional activities, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), behavior plans, health and safety procedures, and other student-specific needs. When assigned bus aide duties, the employee assists with the safe transportation, supervision, loading, unloading, and care of students while traveling to and from school or school-related activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional and Classroom Support

• Assists the classroom teacher and/or special education teacher in providing instructional support to individual students and small groups.
• Reinforces skills and concepts previously introduced by the teacher.
• Assists students in completing classroom assignments and participating in instructional activities.
• Helps prepare instructional materials, learning activities, and classroom resources as directed.
• Assists with classroom organization and the maintenance of an orderly learning environment.
• Supports students in developing academic, communication, social, behavioral, and independent-living skills.
• Uses instructional strategies and interventions as directed by the classroom teacher or special education teacher.
• Assists with the collection and recording of student data when directed.
• Supports the implementation of accommodations, modifications, behavior intervention plans, and other provisions contained in students' IEPs.
• Maintains appropriate confidentiality regarding student educational, medical, behavioral, and personal information.

Special Education Student Support

• Provides assistance to students with disabilities in accordance with their individual needs and applicable IEPs.
• Assists students with mobility, positioning, transfers, and use of adaptive equipment when required.
• Assists students with personal-care activities that may include toileting, feeding, dressing, hygiene, and other activities of daily living when required by the student's needs.
• Supports students with communication devices, assistive technology, and adaptive materials as directed.
• Provides supervision and assistance during transitions between classrooms, arrival and dismissal, meals, recess, assemblies, and other school activities.
• Implements behavioral supports and de-escalation strategies as trained and directed.
• Observes students and promptly reports significant academic, behavioral, medical, or safety concerns to the appropriate teacher, administrator, nurse, or other designated employee.
• Encourages student independence and avoids providing assistance beyond what is necessary for the student to participate successfully.
• Participates in training related to the specific needs of assigned students when required.

Bus Aide Responsibilities

• Rides assigned school bus routes when required by the student's program or assignment.
• Assists students in safely boarding and exiting the school bus.
• Assists with wheelchairs, mobility devices, safety restraints, specialized seating, and other equipment when applicable and when properly trained.
• Ensures students remain appropriately seated and follow established safety procedures during transportation.
• Provides appropriate supervision and assistance to students throughout the bus route.
• Assists the bus operator in maintaining a safe environment for students.
• Monitors students for medical, behavioral, or safety concerns while being transported.
• Follows established emergency procedures and immediately reports emergencies or significant concerns to the bus operator and appropriate school personnel.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding students and their disabilities, medical conditions, behavior, and educational needs.
• Assists with communication between the transportation department, school personnel, and other designated staff regarding student transportation needs as directed.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reports to work regularly and punctually and maintains dependable attendance.
• Maintains professional relationships with students, parents/guardians, employees, administrators, and members of the public.
• Treats students with dignity, respect, patience, and professionalism.
• Follows all Boone County Board of Education policies, administrative procedures, employee standards, and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and other applicable requirements.
• Participates in required professional development, safety training, and staff meetings.
• Follows all student safety, emergency, health, and supervision procedures.
• Works collaboratively with teachers, administrators, transportation personnel, related-service providers, and other school employees.
• Performs other duties related to the assignment as directed by the principal, supervisor, or Superintendent/designee.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications established for the applicable service-personnel classification under West Virginia law and West Virginia Board of Education requirements.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent, when required.
• Meet applicable requirements for employment as an aide and/or instructional aide.
• Successfully complete any competency testing, training, certification, or authorization required for the position.
• Possess or obtain required training related to students with disabilities and specialized student needs.
• Possess current CPR/AED and First Aid certification when required by the assignment.
• Successfully complete training for specialized transportation equipment, student restraints, lifting/transferring procedures, medical protocols, behavior supports, or other student-specific procedures when required.
• Meet all employment, background-check, and other requirements established by Boone County Schools and applicable West Virginia law.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The employee must demonstrate the ability to:

• Work effectively with children, including students with disabilities and students with significant educational, behavioral, physical, communication, or medical needs.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Implement teacher-directed instructional and behavioral strategies.
• Maintain student confidentiality.
• Communicate effectively and professionally.
• Work cooperatively as a member of an educational team.
• Exercise patience, good judgment, and appropriate discretion.
• Respond appropriately to student behavioral, medical, and safety situations.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and professional conduct.
• Perform multiple responsibilities while maintaining appropriate student supervision.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Depending upon the assignment, the employee may be required to:

• Stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull for extended periods.
• Assist students with physical movement, transfers, positioning, and mobility.
• Assist students entering and exiting school buses and other vehicles.
• Operate or assist with wheelchairs and other adaptive or mobility equipment.
• Lift or assist with lifting students and/or equipment consistent with applicable safety procedures and training.
• Respond quickly to emergency or behavioral situations.
• Perform personal-care responsibilities for students when required.
• Work in classrooms, school buses, outdoor areas, and other school environments.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee may work in classrooms, special education settings, cafeterias, playgrounds, hallways, school buses, and other school or transportation environments. The assignment may involve exposure to varying temperatures, noise levels, student behaviors, bodily fluids, and other conditions normally associated with providing direct care and supervision to students.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The employee shall maintain strict confidentiality concerning student records, disabilities, medical information, IEPs, family information, personnel matters, and other confidential information obtained through employment.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Duties may be modified or assigned based upon student needs, staffing needs, applicable law, Board policy, and administrative direction.

200 Day Contract

Schedule: (8:00am-4:00pm)

Classification: Service

Application Procedure:
Apply online

Selection Procedure: Recommendation as per WV State Code

Reports to: Building Principal

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. TBD, Title IX Coordinator, 69 Ave B, Madison, WV 25301