Instructional Aide

Creative Alternatives, Inc.; California; On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Creative Alternatives, Inc. seeks an Instructional Aide to support students in our California-based educational programs. You will assist teachers with classroom instruction, supervise groups, and help implement behavior plans in collaboration with the team.

Ideal candidates have 48 college units, an AA/BA degree preferred, CBEST or proficiency exam, and willingness to obtain required clearances. The role includes transportation duties and a compassionate, student-centered approach.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 48 college units or an AA/BA degree (preferred).
• CBEST certificate or pass proficiency exam within 60 days of hire.
• Experience in a classroom setting and understanding of IEP/Behavior Plans.
• Must be 21+, pass background checks and health screenings.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily attendance and supervision of students.
• Support classroom instruction and small/large group activities.
• Collect academic and behavioral data as directed by teachers.
• Provide transportation and accompany students to events as needed.
• Set limits and implement consequences for behavior as directed.
• Assist with hygiene support and other daily living tasks as required.
• Complete BERs/Incident Reports within 24 hours when needed.
• Participate in CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention strategies as a last resort.

Skills

Data collection

Student supervision

Behavior support

Classroom collaboration

Education

AA or BA/BS degree (preferred)

Job description

Come join our team! At Creative Alternatives, you’ll have the opportunity to build a meaningful career while making a lasting difference in the lives of students. We are a mission-driven nonprofit human services agency providing Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) services, foster family homes, transitional housing placement, and nonpublic school services to youth and young adults who have experienced significant challenges, trauma, and adversity.As an Instructional Aide at one of our schools, you’ll play an important role in creating a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where students can learn, grow, and reach their full potential. You’ll work alongside teachers and other staff to support students academically, socially, and behaviorally while serving as a positive role model and source of encouragement. If you’re patient, compassionate, dependable, and passionate about helping students succeed, you’ll find purpose, professional growth, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day at Creative Alternatives.Knowledge of:Individual student IEP goals and Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) or Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)Ability to:Build and effectively maintain working relationships with students.Work as a member of the educational team in any classroom assigned.Organize students in an academic task, individually, as a whole or in small groups.Facilitate group activities in non-classroom situations.Maintain effective control of the students in your care.Essential Functions and Responsibilities:Assist with taking daily student attendance.Ensure consistent, on-going supervision of students at all times to ensure student safety.Assist with whole and small group classroom instruction.Collect academic and behavioral data for students as directed by supervising Teacher.Provide after-school detention supervision as needed.Daily transportation of students to and from school, all related school functions including field trips and off-site intramural sporting events, picking up and dropping off official school related documents, and all other transportation needs as specified by administration.Setting limits and providing consequences appropriate for Special Education students who may display challenging behaviors including but not limited to: assault toward peers or staff, self-harm, explosive or violent actions, sexualized acting out, toileting issues, impulsive and disruptive behaviors, verbal outbursts, property destruction, elopement out of classroom or off school grounds, etc.Assist students with hygiene, toileting, restroom support.Complete and turn in Behavioral Intervention Reports (BERs) and Incident Reports within 24 hours as needed to document student crisis.Implement CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention strategies as last resort for student or staff safety.Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.Physical Demands:Must be able to bend at the waist, kneel, crouch, climb and balance.Must be able to read, write, and visually see clients.Must be able to hear with or without the use of hearing aid(s) sufficient to hear conversations with others, understandable voice and speech patterns.Must have manual dexterity and coordination sufficient to operate office equipment.Must be able to sit, stand and/or walk for extended periods of time.Must have use of hands to handle and/or feel; reach with hands and arms.Must frequently lift, push, pull or carry up to 25 lbs.**Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.Direct Supervisor: Teacher/Site AdministratorCreative Alternatives is an “at will” employer and as an employee you retain the right to terminate your employment at any time and the agency has the right to terminate your employment at any time with or without cause. See Employee Handbook for detailed explanation. I understand this is a general description of this job. I also understand there are other duties not fully covered above and that I may be asked to perform other reasonable, lawful duties. Management retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.Qualifications:Must have one or more of the following:Minimum of 48 college unitsA.A. or B.A./S. Degree (preferred)CBEST CertificateOr successfully complete the Proficiency Exam within 60 days of hire (three attempts will be allowed)Experience within a classroom setting (preferred)Must meet all California Department of Education minimum criteria (criminal background check)Must be 21 years of ageMeet all state licensing and insurance requirementsMust pass a DOJ, FBI, and Child Abuse index clearanceValid California driver's licenseGood driving record: Department of Motor Vehicles printout requiredMust pass LIC 503 Health Screening Report and TB clearance