Job Description

STARTING WAGE: $21.85 PER HOUR

The Sun Prairie Area School District is hiring a special education assistant staff to work in our adult transition program, supporting our adult learners with disabilities beyond their senior year who require more intensive support and instruction in the areas of vocational, life and recreation/leisure skills. Candidates must hold a valid driving license and be able to transport students in district owned vehicles. Candidates will be working in the role as a job coach, supporting the teaching of life skills, collaborating with colleagues and following IEP driven plans. Candidates will need to feel comfortable being on their own at a training site supporting a small group of students meeting all their needs, such as bathroom support and changing clothing. Additionally, candidates need to understand the different types of disabilities of the students they are working with in the school site; their needs could include g-tube feedings, support with eating, hoyer lifting for changing or stretching, bathrooming, pacer for physical therapy needs, use of communication devices, etc.

The purpose of this position is to assist teachers in meeting the comprehensive needs of students with disabilities in the educational environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and/or assigned.

1. Maintains a safe learning atmosphere for students to enable them to meet or surpass their capabilities.
2. Supports and facilitates all IEP/504 goals/plans set by IEP/504 Teams and collect related behavioral and academic data.
3. Facilitates the inclusion of students whenever and wherever possible, be that the classroom or the community; also promotes acceptance of differences with students, staff and community.
4. Leads small groups and one-on-one instruction under the guidance of a teacher.
5. Facilitates student accommodations on assignments and tests.
6. Provides student supervision across all educational environments.
7. Must be able to take and follow through with directives and instructions consistently from special education contact teacher, as well as be able to independently make decisions and solve problems to meet the needs of students.
8. Prepares and maintains detailed notes, plans and materials for substitutes when absent.
9. Provides basic first aid to students; maintains injury/attendant care logs and participates in and keeps current certification in appropriate training sessions, such as bloodborne pathogens, medication administrations, CPR, first aid, non-violent crisis intervention, tube feeding, transfers and lifts for students with physical limitations, and others as required for specific assigned position.
10. Provides self-care assistance for students, including but not limited to feeding, diapering and toileting, etc. May come in contact with bodily fluids.
11. Performs or assists with health procedures such as: catheterization, tube feedings, diaper changes, glucose monitoring as assigned after training completed.
12. Follows all relevant district policies and procedures including District Technology Use Policy throughout work day.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

1. High school graduate with technical training in special education, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities;
2. CPR, non-violent crisis intervention, and first aid certification.
3. Must meet the following NCLB standards for this position: (1) Completed two years of study at an institution of higher education, (2) obtained an associate's degree (or higher) or (3) be able to demonstrate through a formal assessment, the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing and mathematics.
4. Must possess a valid driver's license.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job

• Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods, up to 90% of an eight-hour day, without back support.
• Ability to perform light to moderate physical work, frequently lifting up to 10 to 15 pounds without assistance, and when needed, lifting up to 50 to 80 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to freely move throughout the building to keep pace with assigned students both in crisis and non-crisis times.
• Ability to reach in all directions with full range of motion, bend/stoop and use hand/eye coordination to assist students in any required capacity when needed.
• Ability to complete job duties in an environment where background noise and frequent interruptions are the norm while maintaining concentration and focus.
• Ability to assist students with disabilities through lifts transfers, positioning, restraint, etc., while maintaining personal and student safety.
• Must have current physical exam on file with the district certifying employee is able to meet all job qualifications.

Mathematical Ability:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate decimals and percentages
• Ability to do basic algebra and geometry
• Ability to pass a skills performance task at the level they are supporting

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication:

• Ability to comprehend, interpret and/or prepare a variety of documents, including attendance reports, , disciplinary reports, etc., test and instructional materials, confidential files, health cards, , student/family handbook, purchase orders, etc., using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with teachers, students, parents, administrators, police officers, nurses, the general public, and others verbally and in writing
• Ability to use and interpret special education terminology
• Ability to pass a skills performance task at the level they are supporting
• Ability to be responsive to curriculum changes

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to pass a skills performance task at the level they are supporting Language
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks requiring timelines and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to be a collaborative and confidential team member.
• Ability to learn to use Assistive Technology devices or software with training
• Ability to use and interpret special education terminology
• Ability to pass a skills performance task at the level they are supporting
• Ability to work with physically and verbally aggressive students

The Sun Prairie Area School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.