Education Assistant-Inclusion

Catalina Foothills School District; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 49,668,000 - 52,740,000; Part time

Job summary

The Catalina Foothills School District seeks an Education Assistant – Inclusion at Orange Grove Middle School. This .875 FTE role supports students with special needs within a traditional classroom, under supervision of certified staff. Hours are 7:15 a.m.

to 2:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch. Responsibilities include adapting lessons, supporting IEP goals, assisting with personal and instructional tasks, and collaborating with teachers and specialists to foster

Qualifications

• Supports students with special needs in a regular classroom.
• Adapts lessons and materials for accessibility and comprehension.
• Maintains behavior reinforcement programs and assistive communication methods.

Responsibilities

• Work with students with special needs to support IEPs.
• Modify instructional materials and assessments for accessibility.
• Assist with personal care and mobility needs as required.
• Support therapy programs and communications with teachers and specialists.

Skills

Student support

Lesson modification

Response to IEP goals

Communication

Education

Associate's degree preferred

Fingerprint Clearance (Level I-IV)

CPR & First Aid certificates

Tools

Adaptive software

Augmentative communication devices

Job description

EDUCATION ASSISTANT – INCLUSION

Hiring Pay Range: $19.81 - $21.03 per hour, DOE

Range 30

FTE: .875 35 hours per week

Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:15AM- 2:45PM (Includes 30 min unpaid meal break)

Non-Exempt, Benefits Eligible

10 months / 188 paid work days per year

Location: Orange Grove Middle School

Target Start Date: 08/26/2026

Definition:

Under immediate supervision of certified teaching staff, subject specialists or Program Director of the school and/or physical therapist. Performs work of moderate difficulty assisting in the structured education of students with special needs within a regular classroom setting. Assignment may be with severely multiply impaired students of any grade level.

Essential Functions:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a complete listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this job class.

Tasks:

• Work individually with students with special needs and support educational progress of the student's established Individual Education Program (IEP);
• Modify lessons, instructional materials, quizzes and tests for student accessibility and comprehension;Conduct parallel teaching/tutoring;
• Take notes for student;
• Work with small groups of students;
• Maintain behavior reinforcement programs for positive and negative behavior;
• Provide physical support and assistance to assure student moves between classroom locations in a timely manner;
• Assist with major personal, physical and custodial needs of the student including feeding, lifting, positioning, assisted walking, pushing a wheelchair and toilet needs;
• Assist with range of motion exercises, physical/occupational therapy programs and physical education;
• Assist student in developing fine and gross motor skills, balance and interpreting directions;
• Assist with speech therapy;
• Follow established medical emergency plans for medically frail and medically involved students as needed;
• Teach life skills and study skills;
• Write and submit progress reports;
• Assist other special needs students as needed;
• Use a variety of methods, such as assistive software, sign language, Braille and typing/writing for the student, to communicate with student and assist student in developing functional communications skills;
• Monitor and document student activities and progress for teacher and parental review;
• Assist teachers in carrying out education program;
• Assist teachers in working with special needs children;
• Attend consultations with specialists to meet needs of special needs children;
• Interact with children to encourage positive self-concept and enthusiasm for the discovery process;
• Prepare classroom and playground as needed;
• Attend weekly staff meetings;
• Adhere to the goals, policies and procedures of the program;
• Assist students on the bus as required in their IEP, including the following: using needed restraints, observing/assisting students during the trip to keep them comfortable and safe; reporting any difficulties or changes in students' needs to the supervisor; assist students in evacuating the vehicle in case of emergency; assisting students to the door for door-to-door needs;
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Highly Desired Knowledge, Skills and Other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of CFSD and school policies and procedures regarding inclusion of special needs students;
• Knowledge of curriculum content for assigned area and/or student's Individual Education Program;
• Knowledge of universal precautions required when exposed to blood, mucus, saliva, urine, and bowel movements;
• Knowledge of proper emergency medical care, body positioning/mechanics and CPR;
• Knowledge appropriate oral and physical intervention methods for special needs students;
• Knowledge of basic behavioral modification and motivation techniques and practices;
• Knowledge of available methods to modify classroom assignments;
• Knowledge of proper techniques in handling, lifting, and carrying students;
• Skill in safely lifting, moving and working with special needs students;
• Skill in using specialized tools such as adaptive computer software, adaptive therapy equipment and augmentative communication devices;
• Skill in communicating effectively, orally and in writing;
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, administrators,students and parents.

Minimum Qualifications Preferred:

Associate's degree preferredand six months of working with special needs children.

Special Requirements:

Must possess or have the ability to obtain a Level I - IVPP Fingerprint Clearance card through Arizona Department of Public Safety.

CPR certificate and First Aid certificate are required within one (1) year of hire.

Must be willing to support feeding and toileting of students with training.

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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
The employee frequently is required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Policy

In CFSD, we value aworkforce that reflects the diversity of our students. We are committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex (which includes a prohibition against sexual harassment as described in District policy ACA-Sexual Harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, religion, or disability.