Educational Assistant – Special Education- Structured Skills Center

Gresham-Barlow School District; Gresham (OR); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gresham-Barlow School District seeks an Educational Assistant for the Structured Skills Center, a role focused on providing support to students with significant behavioral disabilities and mental health challenges. The position requires prior experience with children, an associate degree or higher, and specific certifications. This is a rewarding opportunity for individuals looking to make a difference in the educational experience of students with special needs, and applications are encouraged from candidates with diverse backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Experience with school age children required, either paid or volunteer.
• Must have criminal justice fingerprint clearance and other certifications.
• Ability to interact with diverse age groups and cultural backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Assist special education teachers in implementing lesson plans.
• Provide instructional practice and review to individual or small groups.
• Administer first aid and medical assistance as necessary.

Skills

Child Development Principles

Instructional Practices

Effective Communication

Basic Arithmetic Calculations

Office Equipment Operation

Education

Associates Degree or higher

Completed at least two years of study

Tools

Standard Office Equipment

Computer Applications

Job description

Position Type:
Classified Special Education/ Educational Assistant- Structured Skills Center

Date Posted:
6/5/2025

Location:
Structured Skills Center (SSC)

Experience Required: Prior job-related experience, paid or volunteer, with school age children

Education Required: Completed associates or higher degree, completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (72 college quarter hours or more) or met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics through the high school level

Licenses, Certifications, Bonding, and/or Testing Required: Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance; First Aid/CPR card; Bloodborne Pathogen training; Type 20 driver’s certification to drive specialized district bus

Knowledge of principles of child development and instructional practices

Performing basic clerical functions and basic arithmetic calculations

Operating standard office equipment as well as computer programs and applications (e.g. email, system applications, word processing)

Communicating effectively in English, both verbally and in writing (e.g. correct spelling, grammar and punctuation)

Read, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, and policies

Understanding and carrying out oral verbal and written instructions

Providing for special health care needs of students

Understanding and addressing students with special needs

Rapidly learn methods and materials used in a variety of instructional situations

Functioning as a self-starter, who works well independently or in a team

Planning, prioritizing and completing assignments with minimum supervision

Handling multiple projects, and tasks to meet scheduled deadlines

Interacting with persons of different age groups and cultural backgrounds

Works under the guidance and direction of Special Education Teacher, Specialist, and/or classroom teacher with access to assistance and consultation

Works collaboratively by assisting teachers in implementing lesson plans and/or developing students' daily living and behavioral skills (e.g. hygiene and grooming, anger-management, social skills)

Under the direction of the special education teacher, provides instructional practice and review to individual, small groups, and/or whole groups of students

Participates in regularly scheduled clinical, triage and data team meetings with special education teacher and support staff

Adapts classroom work/homework under the direction of the teacher to support and/or reinforce individual and classroom learning objectives

Implements behavioral strategies, as directed by the classroom teacher, to individual, small groups and/or whole groups of students (eg. Collaborative Problem Solving)

Administers first aid and medical assistance (e.g. tube feeding to students, catheterization, toileting) for the purpose of providing appropriate care for the ill, medically fragile and/or injured children

Maintains specialized and classroom equipment and student's files/records as pertain to special education files/records to ensure a safe and appropriate learning environment

Monitors individual students, classroom and/or playground activities for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment

Performs record keeping and basic clerical functions, scheduling, copying, etc. to support teachers in maintaining student files and providing classroom materials

Attend training, maintain a valid certificate (if applicable), and utilizes district approved de-escalation and physical intervention techniques that include district approved and certified two-person and three-person holds when needed

Develops materials for student IEP implementation

Evaluates situations to take appropriate action and/or direct the situation to the appropriate personnel for resolution

Working Conditions: Physical and emotional stamina to work with highly impacted mental health and behaviorally challenging students using both physical and collaborative problem-solving skills for extensive periods of time, daily and on an ongoing basis

Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities to meet the needs of assigned students and the Structured Skills Center

Participates in various meetings for the purpose of sharing information and/or improving one's skills/knowledge

Confers with teachers and specialists for the purpose of assisting in evaluation of students' progress and/or implementing of students' objectives

Assists with the transportation needs of students, including walking them to and from the bus, supervision of students on the way to and from the bus, supervision of loading and unloading of busses, arranging for the transportation needs of students, and may include riding the bus with the student to and from school beginning and ending in a designated location

Transports students to and from their home schools and/or on outside activities using district provided vehicles

Performs other related duties as determined by the teacher, specialist or school administrator, which are indicated to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of students.

Ability to:

• sit, stand or walk for prolonged periods of time

• talk and hear conversations in a potentially noisy environment

• use precise control of fingers and hand movement, often in a repetitive motion such as keyboarding

• reach for and handle objects

• use close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

• lifting and transferring immobile students

• physical interventions of small and large students

sit, stand or walk for prolonged periods of time

talk and hear conversations in a potentially noisy environment

use precise control of fingers and hand movement, often in a repetitive motion such as keyboarding

reach for and handle objects

use close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

lifting and transferring immobile students

physical interventions of small and large students

Bending, stooping/crouching, kneeling and lifting and/or moving up to 40 pounds may also be required on occasion

Maintaining regular and punctual attendance. In case of an absence site and/or district protocol for reporting absences is followed.

Maintaining appropriate confidentiality regarding information relating to staff, students and parents

Dress in a professional and appropriate manner for the assignment and the work setting Exercising prudent judgment

Work independently in the performance of routine duties

Follow all District and school policies and work procedures

Utilize the District’s electronic systems and applications related to the position

Participate in required meetings and trainings related to the position

If employee is bilingual, interpretation, translating documents, and/or communicating orally in the second language may be requested

Cultivate and model a respectful working and learning environment

Application Deadline:In-District Bargaining Unit Members June 11, 2025. If the position is not filled with a bargaining unit member, outside applicants will be considered thereafter until filled.

Projected Start Date:Approximately August 28, 2025.Exact date to be determined by the district.

7 hours/day, 185days/year

Salary Range 13 $24.35to $33.37/hour

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the desired qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our desired qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the desired qualifications of thisposition, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact Human Resources to discuss your application. Preference will be given to those applicants with work or lived experience with culturally, linguistically and racially diverse communities.

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT – STRUCTURED SKILLS CENTER (SPECIAL EDUCATION)

POSITION SUMMARY: The Educational Assistant – Structured Skills Center (Special Education) (EA-SSC) provides educational supports through instruction and supervision of students with significant behavioral disabilities along with debilitating mental health issues under the direct supervision of special education teacher, specialist and/or classroom teacher. These students may have one or more academic, emotional, cognitive, physical and/or sensory challenges in addition to a mental health diagnosis. The EA-SSC provides instruction to individual or small groups of students completes routine clerical tasks for teachers; and assists students by providing for special health care needs including medication administration. Additionally, EA-SSCs will be trained and certified to drive students to and from students’ home schools or outside activities using district provided vehicle.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, Experience, Licensure and Certification

• Experience Required: Prior job-related experience, paid or volunteer, with school age children

• Education Required: Completed associates or higher degree, completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (72 college quarter hours or more) or met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics through the high school level

• Licenses, Certifications, Bonding, and/or Testing Required: Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance; First Aid/CPR card; Bloodborne Pathogen training; Type 20 driver’s certification to drive specialized district bus

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of principles of child development and instructional practices

• Performing basic clerical functions and basic arithmetic calculations

• Operating standard office equipment as well as computer programs and applications (e.g. email, system applications, word processing)

• Communicating effectively in English, both verbally and in writing (e.g. correct spelling, grammar and punctuation)

• Read, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, and policies

• Understanding and carrying out oral verbal and written instructions

• Providing for special health care needs of students

• Understanding and addressing students with special needs

• Rapidly learn methods and materials used in a variety of instructional situations

• Functioning as a self-starter, who works well independently or in a team

• Planning, prioritizing and completing assignments with minimum supervision

• Handling multiple projects, and tasks to meet scheduled deadlines

• Interacting with persons of different age groups and cultural backgrounds

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Works under the guidance and direction of Special Education Teacher, Specialist, and/or classroom teacher with access to assistance and consultation

• Works collaboratively by assisting teachers in implementing lesson plans and/or developing students' daily living and behavioral skills (e.g. hygiene and grooming, anger-management, social skills)

• Under the direction of the special education teacher, provides instructional practice and review to individual, small groups, and/or whole groups of students

• Participates in regularly scheduled clinical, triage and data team meetings with special education teacher and support staff

• Adapts classroom work/homework under the direction of the teacher to support and/or reinforce individual and classroom learning objectives

• Implements behavioral strategies, as directed by the classroom teacher, to individual, small groups and/or whole groups of students (eg. Collaborative Problem Solving)

• Administers first aid and medical assistance (e.g. tube feeding to students, catheterization, toileting) for the purpose of providing appropriate care for the ill, medically fragile and/or injured children

• Maintains specialized and classroom equipment and student's files/records as pertain to special education files/records to ensure a safe and appropriate learning environment

• Monitors individual students, classroom and/or playground activities for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment

• Performs record keeping and basic clerical functions, scheduling, copying, etc. to support teachers in maintaining student files and providing classroom materials

• Attend training, maintain a valid certificate (if applicable), and utilizes district approved de-escalation and physical intervention techniques that include district approved and certified two-person and three-person holds when needed

• Develops materials for student IEP implementation

• Evaluates situations to take appropriate action and/or direct the situation to the appropriate personnel for resolution

• Working Conditions: Physical and emotional stamina to work with highly impacted mental health and behaviorally challenging students using both physical and collaborative problem-solving skills for extensive periods of time, daily and on an ongoing basis

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities to meet the needs of assigned students and the Structured Skills Center

• Participates in various meetings for the purpose of sharing information and/or improving one's skills/knowledge

• Confers with teachers and specialists for the purpose of assisting in evaluation of students' progress and/or implementing of students' objectives

• Assists with the transportation needs of students, including walking them to and from the bus, supervision of students on the way to and from the bus, supervision of loading and unloading of busses, arranging for the transportation needs of students, and may include riding the bus with the student to and from school beginning and ending in a designated location

• Transports students to and from their home schools and/or on outside activities using district provided vehicles

• Performs other related duties as determined by the teacher, specialist or school administrator, which are indicated to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of students.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to:

  • sit, stand or walk for prolonged periods of time

  • talk and hear conversations in a potentially noisy environment

  • use precise control of fingers and hand movement, often in a repetitive motion such as keyboarding

  • reach for and handle objects

  • use close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

  • lifting and transferring immobile students

  • physical interventions of small and large students

• Bending, stooping/crouching, kneeling and lifting and/or moving up to 40 pounds may also be required on occasion

WORKPLACE EXPECTATIONS

• Maintaining regular and punctual attendance. In case of an absence site and/or district protocol for reporting absences is followed.

• Maintaining appropriate confidentiality regarding information relating to staff, students and parents

• Dress in a professional and appropriate manner for the assignment and the work setting Exercising prudent judgment

• Work independently in the performance of routine duties

• Follow all District and school policies and work procedures

• Utilize the District’s electronic systems and applications related to the position

• Participate in required meetings and trainings related to the position

• If employee is bilingual, interpretation, translating documents, and/or communicating orally in the second language may be requested

• Cultivate and model a respectful working and learning environment

Applicants with culturally diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

*Applications must be submitted to Frontline Recruiting and Hiring by the closing date in order to be considered for the position. All employees hired by the District into a position not requiring licensure must be fingerprinted and have a criminal history check completed. The cost is $71.50 and is the responsibility of the employee. This employment is considered probationary pending return of the criminal records check from the FBI and Oregon State Police through the Oregon Department of Education.

Gresham-Barlow School District recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of this district and the board of education that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups in any educational programs, activities or employment. Gresham-Barlow provides equal access to individuals with disabilities.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER