Job Description

Lead Special Education Aide

Lead with Purpose — and Make Every Home a Place of Growth and Care

Leads and supports Special Education Aides (SEAs) in delivering quality, person-centered services using evidence-based practices. This role ensures the health, safety, and progress of individuals served while guiding staff in implementing instructional, therapeutic, and direct care activities that support client goals. Provides coaching, training, and performance feedback to promote staff success and collaborates with Academic, Clinical, and Medical teams to maintain effective program operations and staffing. Reports to the Operations Administrator.

Join us - and experience the deep fulfillment of knowing your work truly makes a difference!

Be part of a team that leads with heart and grit, the Grafton way—where leadership, compassion, and dedication come together to change lives.

Under general supervision, manages Special Education Aides (SEA) to enable them to provide well-rounded, quality services to individuals utilizing evidence-based best practices. Ensures that SEAs provide for the health, safety, welfare and progress of individuals. Guide SEAs in the Education program to participate in the direct care and plan implementation for clients, including assistance in implementing instructional and therapeutic activities, preparing instructional materials and assisting Academic Teachers to promote the achievement of each client’s established goals. Observe and provide meaningful feedback to SEAs to maintain or improve performance to achieve desired results established by the multi-disciplinary and management teams. Collaborate with the Clinical and Medical staff to provide the necessary development of SEAs and to support the goals of the program and organization. Ensure that staffing is adequate; Reports to Operations Administrator.

Health, Safety and Wellness of Clients

1. Provides for the well-being and safety of clients.
2. Supports client health and hygiene.
3. Utilizes infection control procedures.
4. Reports serious incidents, participates in reviews and implements follow-up measures, as applicable.

Individual Plan Implementation

1. Knows the SNAP (strengths, needs, abilities and preferences), goals/objectives/outcomes and treatment strategies from the current Plans (Treatment Plan, IEP, ISP) of assigned clients.
2. Promotes clients’ achievement of behavioral goals by implementing the behavior strategies and teaching alternative behaviors, as indicated in the Treatment Plan/IEP/ISP.
3. Actively instructs assigned clients so they can achieve education/residential goals and objectives or ID Waiver outcomes.
4. Collects and documents behavioral and instructional data, accurately and reliably.
5. Documents services delivered accurately and in a timely manner.
6. Maintains a high level of engagement with and monitoring of clients. Implements planned activities throughout the workday.

Provides a Supportive and Solution–Focused Environment

1. Builds trusting, respectful relationships with clients and helps clients do the same.
2. Demonstrates knowledge about the symptoms and supports associated with diagnoses of assigned clients and a trauma-informed care approach.
3. Manages behavioral crisis safely.
4. Collaborates with the Treatment Team to provide continuity of support and care, by communicating and contributing to team discussions and decisions.
5. Exhibits exemplary customer service with guardians, agency personnel and visitors.

Site Management – Housekeeping, Nutrition, Transportation, Finances

1. Ensures a safe residence / classroom environment.
2. Assures a clean and organized residence/classroom.
3. Promotes good nutrition and, in group homes, assists with meal preparation.
4. Provides transportation / community mobility.
5. Assists with purchases and is accountable for program and client money, as applicable.

Teamwork and commitment to the mission, values and vision of Grafton

1. Demonstrates knowledge of organization
2. Demonstrates the core values of personal integrity and accountability.
3. Performs other duties, as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education / Certification (must possess at least of the following):

1. At least two years of college credits in any discipline/degree field (usually 60 credits if earned in Minnesota) through an accredited institution of higher education;
2. An associate’s degree or higher in any discipline/degree field;
3. Three or more years supporting students with disabilities in Minnesota schools or other states with similar competency areas A passing score on an approved, formal assessment (*see below) demonstrating the knowledge and ability to assist with instruction in reading/language arts, writing, mathematics or readiness for each.

• Must be 21 years of age
• Must demonstrate proficiency in the English language
• Must pass criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record
• Demonstrates moderate computer skills – how to log-in, how to navigate the Web for information, how to start and save a document in Microsoft WORD, and has basic keyboarding skills.

*For the third option, two state-approved assessments are available through most and some school districts:

• The require in Minnesota passing scores of 65% for the Instructional Support test and 70% for the Knowledge and Application test.
  
• The requires a combined Minnesota passing score of 460.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

Caring for You, So You can Care for Others:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
• Generous Paid Time Off plan & attendance incentives
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short-term disability (STD)
• Long-term disability (LTD)

Stronger Together: Supporting Your Growth & Success:

• Paid Career Development - we pay you while becoming certified in CPR, Ukeru, Mandt and other career training!
• 401(k), including an employer match up to $2,500 annually
• Education Assistance up to $5,250 annually
• As Grafton is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, you may be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness

If you have issues applying or have any questions about this position, please reach out to us at hr@grafton.org

Grafton is an equal employment opportunity employer and tobacco-free workplace.