Education Assistant (Intensive Behaviour)

School District 72 (Campbell River); Campbell River; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

School District 72 (Campbell River) seeks an Education Assistant (Intensive Behaviour) at Penfield Elementary School to support students with high behavioural needs and collaborate with teachers and therapists. The role emphasizes trauma-informed practice, inclusive education, and strong teamwork.

The position requires a two-year diploma in Educational Assistance or equivalent, experience with special needs, and CPI/low arousal certification.

Qualifications

• Two-year post-secondary diploma in Educational Assistant training or equivalent.
• Two years' experience working with children with special educational needs.
• Completion of POPARD/POPFASD/Low Arousal or related training or experience with complex behavioural challenges.
• Knowledge of district child abuse protocol and reporting procedures.
• Current CPI or low arousal certification.
• First Aid certification is an asset.
• Computer literacy and experience with technological assists.
• Willingness to participate in professional development.
• Ability to provide educational support across elementary to secondary levels.
• Proven ability to collaborate in a team environment and maintain professional relationships.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 for reading/writing and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Work with students with severe behavioural challenges to ensure safe, inclusive integration in classrooms and community programs.
• Support students on risk reduction plans and reinforce positive behaviours.
• Collaborate with transdisciplinary teams to support learning plans and behaviour supports.
• Apply trauma-informed, low-arousal approaches and diffuse escalated behaviours.
• Assist with online and in-person learning, one-on-one or small group instruction.
• Participate in IEP meetings with teachers, parents, and specialists as requested.
• Provide general classroom support and monitor progress with teachers.
• Assist with transportation, pool supervision if required, and supervision during recess and lunch as appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold district policies; engage in ongoing professional development.

Skills

Educational Assistant diploma

Experience with special needs

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Two-year post-secondary diploma in Educational Assistant training

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

School District 72 operates throughout a large geographic area. Campbell River and Quadra Island schools and our school board office are located on the traditional territory of the Liǧʷiɫdaxʷ people. School District 72 also encompasses the traditional territory of the Klahoose (Cortes), K'ómoks (Sayward), and χʷɛmaɬkʷu (Bute Inlet) First Nations.

SUPPORT STAFF

Position: Education Assistant (Intensive Behaviour)

Posting Number: SY2627-EA-019

Term of Employment: Permanent

Start Date: September 09, 2026

Hours/Day/FTE: 5.25 Hours/day

Wage/Salary: $32.14/hour

Deadline to Apply: 4:00pm on September 01, 2026

Join Our Team

School District 72 is looking for an Education Assistant (Intensive Behaviour) at Penfield Elementary School to join our team of professionals who strive to bring the district's learning beliefs to life.

School District 72 (Campbell River) is located on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, extending north to Sayward and south to Oyster River. The district also includes the outer islands of Read, Cortes, and Quadra. The district serves over 5,600 students in 18 schools with a diverse range of programs that are progressive and responsive to the educational needs and interests of students.

The district respects and values the relationships with all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who reside in these territories. It is with respectful consideration that the programs and services provided to students and staff acknowledge their histories, cultural contributions, and contemporary concerns.

About The Role

Education Assistants work under the direction of the School Administration and are supported by the Department of Inclusive Education and classroom teachers. Education Assistants in an Intensive Behaviour role meet the nature and scope of work, specific responsibilities, and qualifications of a Generalist Education Assistant. They teach, model, and reinforce pro social behaviours, ensure safe learning environments, and provide academic support as necessary.

• Works with students with severe behavioural challenges to ensure the safe and inclusive integration in classroom and community programs.
• Supports students who are on a risk reduction plan and reinforces positive behaviours.
• Collaborations were necessary with a transdisciplinary team of professional and paraprofessionals in support of learning plans and positive behaviour supports.
• Understands behaviour as a form of communication.
• Responsive to the student's needs and utilizes a trauma informed and low arousal practice.
• Ensuring a safe learning environment for all students by avoiding triggers that may elevate students with special needs' inappropriate behaviours and implementing recognized behaviour management techniques.
• Providing positive behaviour support and utilizing communication skills to diffuse escalated behaviours (e.g. defiance, emotional outbursts, disengagements, etc.), reporting any extreme or unusual incidents to the supervisor.
• Providing academic support by working with students with special needs one-on-one and/or in small groups, reinforcing the concepts of the lesson at hand.
• Participating in IEP meetings with teachers, parents, and other parties such as Psychologists and/or Therapists upon request.
• Providing general classroom support by collaborating with the teacher to oversee the progress of other students in the integrated setting.
• Providing social guidance by reinforcing appropriate behaviours for social interaction; assisting with inclusion in the classroom as well as during recess and lunch periods as appropriate; implementing and monitoring behaviour management plans which may include observation, data-keeping, and follow-up; and discussing student progress and adaption requirements with the teacher.
• Promoting personal health and hygiene by assisting with toileting, feeding, and general cleanliness; assisting with the administration of student medication as indicated on medical forms, under the teachers' supervision, as required; ensuring students adhere to medial routines and/or special diets; and performing physiotherapy and/or speech therapy as instructed by Occupational Therapists (OT) and Speech Language Pathologists (SLP).
• Ensuring the safe and orderly storage of special equipment and supplies.
• Participating in staff meetings as requested and performing all such other duties as may be assigned by the principal or designate.
• Transportation of students to various program activities.
• Directly supervise students in the pool as part of the swim program (where required).
• Protecting and respecting the confidentiality of information.
• May be required to provide additional support for students while riding the bus, including supervising students, assisting with loading/unloading, and working with the bus driver to communicate with parents and schools.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Two-year post-secondary diploma in Educational Assistant training (or relevant discipline) or an Education Assistant certificate combined with 1 year of related experience.
• Two years' experience working with children with special educational needs.
• Completion of collaborative training opportunities such as POPARD, POPFASD, Low Arousal, Practical Application ASD, Greg Hanley or has experience supporting students/clients with complex behavioural challenges.
• Working knowledge of the district child abuse protocol and reporting procedures.
• Current CPI (Crisis, Prevention, and Intervention) or low arousal certification.
• Level 1 First Aid Certification is an asset.
• Computer literacy and experience with technological assists.
• Demonstrated willingness to participate in professional development opportunities as provided by the district.
• Ability to provide educational support in academic subjects as per school level (i.e. elementary, middle and secondary).
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships and working collaboratively in a team environment.
• Working knowledge of reading and writing software programs (Microsoft 365).
• Ability to determine, judge and select appropriate course of action within the limits of established methods and procedures.
• Ability to effectively interact and establish positive rapport with students.
• Ability to communicate effectively using tact, discretion, and diplomacy, while maintaining confidentiality in all matters related to the school district.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable.
• Sufficient physical capabilities, stamina, and coordination to perform the duties of the position to the required standard.

Contribute to Our Success

The Campbell River School District proudly developed a strategic plan for 2024-2028 that prioritised the following:

• Honour Indigenous World Views and Perspectives
• Student-Centred Learning Environments
• Evolving for Tomorrow

The following commitments are essential to all positions within the Campbell River School District:

• Commitment and adherence to workplace policies, procedures & practices.
• Commitment to standards of conduct, including behaving in a manner that is: respectful, professional, team-oriented, collegial, collaborative, ethical, honest, and trustworthy.
• Commitment to understand and implement the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Employment Equity

We value diversity of people to best represent the students and communities we serve as an equitable and inclusive employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, demographics and life experiences.

School District 72 is also committed to creating and maintaining an accessible work environment for all members of its workforce. Within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an accessible process for all applicants (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodation is available on request.