EC Instructional Assistant/Bus Driver

East McDowell Middle School; Marion (NC); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

East McDowell Middle School in Marion, NC seeks an EC Instructional Assistant/Bus Driver to support disabled students under the supervision of special education teachers, ensuring progress toward IEP goals.

The role requires a 10‑month, 37.5‑hour week with potential overtime for additional bus routes. Training for bus certification may be required, with duties split between instructional assistance and school transportation.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or 48 approved semester hours from a regionally accredited institution.
• Clearance-Criminal background check and references required

Responsibilities

• Assist classroom teacher with duties and tasks.
• Work with individuals, small groups, or large groups as assigned by the teacher.
• Assist with behavior modification plans and data collection.
• Accompany students to locations, meals, and bus as needed.
• Assist with personal care tasks as required.
• Administer basic first aid and support daily living activities.
• Coordinate with therapists to meet student needs per IEP.
• Lift/move and operate adaptive equipment.
• Assist students with mobility and transportation needs.
• Maintain a safe, clean learning environment and confidentiality.

Skills

Empathy for students

Adaptive to IEP goals

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Associate's Degree or 48 credit hours

Job description

McDowell County Schools East McDowell Middle School - Marion, North Carolina Open in Google Maps

EC Instructional Assistant/Bus Driver

McDowell County Schools East McDowell Middle School - Marion, North Carolina Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in McDowell County Schools , and North Carolina School Jobs

Job Details

Job ID: 5599972

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Mar 23, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Length of Position: Permanent

Type of Benefits: Full

Months per year: 10 months

Number of hours per week: 37.5

Number of days per week: 5

State Salary Schedule: Yes

JOB SUMMARY

• This individual will work closely with disabled students on a regular basis in an effort to provide them with the physical, academic and emotional support they need to maximize the benefits of the Exceptional Children’s program and to accomplish IEP goals and requirements.
• All work is performed under the direction and supervision of the special education teacher/s.
• Applicant would be required toobtainbus certification and license to drive a morning or evening bus route. This is in addition to the 37.5 EC Instructional Assisant hours and would be paid at overtime rate for 40 hours or more per week.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist classroom teacher in performing specific duties as assigned or undertaking specialized tasks to achieve and enhance student instructional and behavioral objectives.
• Work with individuals, small groups, or large groups as assigned by the teacher.
• Assist with, adhere to, and collect data in regards to behavior modification as assigned by the teacher; implement student behavior plans for the purpose of ensuring effective and safe student learning.
• Accompany student/s to assigned locations within the building, accompany students to lunch, facilitate transitions, and assist student/s to and from the bus as needed.
• Assist student/s to whom assigned with personal care tasks, including but not limited to restroom, clothing hygiene, diapering, toileting and wash-up routines.
• Administers immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional (tube feeding, medication administration, catherization, assisted breathing devices, etc.) for the purpose of meeting immediate health care need and/or developing children’s daily living activities.
• Work in conjunction with occupational and physical therapists to meet individual student needs, as established in the IEP (applying and removing appliance such as leg braces)
• Lift, move and operate adaptive equipment.
• Assists students by enabling them to access their electronic communications, switches, pointers, feeders, etc. for the purpose of ensuring equipment is hooked up properly and functioning properly.
• Assist students with mobility needs such as, lifting and positioning students; lifting in and out of wheelchairs; loading and unloading students from the bus; transporting students in and around the school and/or on field trips.
• Assist with and monitor students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment (e.g. breakfast/lunch/snack/clean-up, bus stops, playground, classroom, restroom, field trips, assemblies, etc. )
• Provide programmed practice activities and repetitions as developed by the teacher, therapist or pathologist.
• Perform clerical tasks (e.g. making copies, filing, collating, etc.) for the purpose of helping the teacher get instructional materials ready.
• Follows daily schedule as outlined by the teacher and administrator.
• Maintains and respects confidentiality of student and school personnel information.
• Maintains a pleasant and orderly classroom environment
• Maintain various records and files.
• Perform related work as required.
• Drive a school bus route, when needed.
• Performs any other duties as may be required by the immediate supervisor

Job Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Applicants must have an Associate's Degree or 48 approved semester hours from a regionally accredited institution.
• Clearance-Criminal background check and references required

Bus Driver:As a condition of employment with MCS, applicant would be required toobtainbus certification and license to drive a morning or evening bus route, when needed. This is in addition to the37.5hours for EC Instructional Assistantduties and would be paid at overtime ratefor 40 hours or more per week.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must be willing to seek and maintain bus license.
• May be required to be a substitute bus monitor.
• May be required to attend CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) training, obtain CPI certificate and all renewals
• Must possess an empathetic attitude toward disabled students
• Work cooperatively with others in a positive manner
• Willing to learn specialized instructional/management techniques
• Ability to communicate and develop effective working relationships with students, parents and staff while maintaining confidentiality
• Ability to follow detailed written and oral instructions
• A bility to drive a school bus (required).

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.

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

• Frequent to significant: walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, stooping, lifting up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting of equipment, materials, and/or students up to 90 pounds may be required.
• Occasional lifting, movement, and transferring of students may be required.
• Occasional movement of students by wheelchairs and other physical contact with and/or possible exposure to bodily fluids may occur.
• Must have understanding of universal precaution measures and use of proper materials. Daily personal close contact with students to provide classroom management and learning environment support is required.
• Regular contact and communication with staff members and administration is required.
• Drive a school bus route, when needed.

DUTIES

DUTIES performed typically in school settings to include: classrooms, gymnasium, cafeteria, auditorium, and recreational areas.

• Frequent to significant: walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, stooping, lifting up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting of equipment, materials, and/or students up to 90 pounds may be required.
• Occasional lifting, movement, and transferring of students may be required.
• Occasional movement of students by wheelchairs and other physical contact with and/or possible exposure to bodily fluids may occur.
• Must have understanding of universal precaution measures and use of proper materials. Daily personal close contact with students to provide classroom management and learning environment support is required.
• Regular contact and communication with staff members and administration is required.
• Drive a school bus route, when needed.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.

Position Type: Full-Time (10 month)

Job Categories:

Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Contact Information

• Jennifer Croymans , EC Director
• East McDowell Middle School
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]