INSTRUCTIONAL AIDE II - SPECIAL EDUCATION

Walnut Valley Unified School District; California (MO); On-site; USD 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Walnut Valley Unified School District seeks a dedicated classroom aide to support instructional personnel and students with special learning needs in a dynamic school setting. This role emphasizes individualized support, data collection, and collaboration with teachers and specialists.

Responsibilities include assisting with instructional materials, supervising students during activities, and helping maintain a positive classroom environment while adhering to district policies and safety

Qualifications

• Proficient in routine clerical tasks and office machines.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to handle difficult situations with good judgment.
• Ability to prioritize needs and solve problems independently.

Responsibilities

• Assist instructional staff with presenting learning materials and classroom tasks.
• Provide individualized support to students with special learning needs.
• Correct and record student work and data, return to students.

Skills

Clerical tasks

Oral and written communication

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

High school diploma

Training in child development

Tools

Educational materials

Office equipment

Job description

Basic Function

Under the supervision of the principal or designee, perform a variety of follow-up instructional activities; assist Education Specialists with developing and conducting training and learning activities with children experiencing special learning needs; perform a variety of routine clerical and supportive activities for instructional personnel; overall assist teachers with various tasks in the classroom; and performs other related work as required.

Essential Job Functions

• Assist instructional personnel with presentation of learning materials and various classroom tasks, including instructional exercises
• Provide individualized support and monitor students with special learning needs during drills, practice, and study activities to reinforce learning
• Correct student work, scores, record scores, and other valuable data collection, and return work to students
• Perform a variety of clerical tasks, including sorting, filing, record-keeping, and maintaining confidential student records
• Direct students in safe learning and play activities and functions, and assist in shaping appropriate social behaviors
• Assist in managing student behavior using positive reinforcement strategies and guiding them toward acceptable social behaviors
• Assist in preparation of a variety of instructional materials and learning aids geared to instructional level of children with special needs
• Provide a variety of skill-building activities with children who experience language, hearing, and other learning disabilities
• Assist students in operation of instructional aids and media, computer-assisted instruction equipment, and software programs
• Monitor and assist in remediation of learning problems and conditions
• Perform routine first aid that may include aiding children experiencing seizures or respiratory disorders
• Observe and monitor children with physical handicapping conditions and request appropriate assistance for students experiencing physical distress
• Maintain or assist in maintaining an orderly, attractive, and positive learning environment
• Assist students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) with classroom assignments and other goal areas
• Assist with classroom management and behaviors
• Assist with data collection, including providing input for informal assessments
• Support specialized academic instruction and goal‑based behavior intervention strategies using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• May assist children with health care needs such as toileting and feeding
• May participate in parent conferences and student instruction and training planning processes
• May administer prescribed medication in accordance with established District procedures
• May provide one‑on‑one student instruction to facilitate visually or hearing‑impaired students adjusting to regular classroom environment
• May assist with calming students’ emotional behavior challenges
• May be assigned to fill in for other classroom aide assignments based on coverage needs for day
• Participate in professional development opportunities offered by department, school site, and District that are held during employee’s work hours and work year
• May participate in professional development opportunities outside employee’s work hours and work year
• Perform related duties as assigned

Job Requirements – Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and/or Abilities Required:

Skill to:

• Perform routine clerical tasks and operate a variety of educational and office‑related machines and equipment
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form
• Skillfully handle difficult situations using good judgment
• Prioritize and identify needs and solve problems independently as appropriate

Knowledge of:

• Subject matter in areas of mathematics, writing, and reading
• Basic concepts of child growth and development and developmental behavior characteristics, particularly pertaining to students with special learning needs
• Behavior management strategies and techniques relating to students experiencing atypical control problems
• Appropriate English usage, punctuation, spelling, and grammar
• Basic mathematical concepts
• Routine record storage, retrieval, and management procedures
• Performs routine first aid that may include aiding children experiencing seizures or respiratory disorders
• Equity, access, and inclusion practices as it relates to program participants

Ability to:

• Demonstrate an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude toward students of varied age groups, particularly those exhibiting specialized needs
• Appropriately manage student behavior and promote positive reinforcement
• Learn to utilize a variety of appropriate instructional materials and procedures in enhancement of a training and educational environment
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions with minimal supervision
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with children and adults
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with co‑workers, students, and parents while promoting team building and a positive work environment
• Adapt easily to work assignments, additional priorities, and new procedures
• Receive constructive criticism and modify work appropriately
• Suggest procedural improvements to superiors as appropriate
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality in keeping needs of educational partners a top priority
• Receive constructive criticism and modify work appropriately
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form
• Handle difficult situations using good judgment
• Demonstrate cultural competence and responsiveness in interactions, decision‑making, communication, and processes
• Efficiently use and manage time and meet deadlines

Experience and Education Requirement

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills may qualify. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skills would be:

Experience:

One year of paid or volunteer experience working with various age groups of children, requiring a specialized learning environment is preferred.

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented by training or coursework in child growth and development, instructional technology, or a closely related field preferred.

Licenses/Certification/Special Requirements:

• Possess and maintain current First Aid Certification
• Possess and maintain current CPR Certification

Physical Demands

Persons performing service in this position classification will be expected to perform medium work, which involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that he or she can also do sedentary and light work. (Per the Code of Federal Regulations – Section 404.1567 “Physical Exertion Requirements”)

The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects of this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions.

• Persons performing service in this position classification will exert 40 pounds of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects
• This type of work involves sitting most of time but may involve walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, bending, or stretching for brief periods
• Perceiving nature of sound, near and far visual acuity, depth perception, imparting oral information, manual dexterity to operate business‑related equipment, and manipulate various materials and objects are important aspects of this job
• Function effectively in classroom and outside play environments, engaged in work of a moderately active nature
• Stand and walk for extended periods of time (greater than one hour)
• Bend down at child’s level to assist with changing clothes when needed
• Sit on the floor and assist children. Requires ability to grasp, reach, push, pull, and move lightweight teaching aids and supplies
• Sufficient arm, hand, and finger dexterity to use a personal computer keyboard, multimedia, and other office equipment
• Engage in activities with children (push on swings, sit on floor, assist children with play equipment)
• Sufficient hearing and speaking skills to project voice and communicate with staff and children in classroom settings and one‑on‑one conversations
• Visual acuity to read printed materials and computer screens, observe children perform assignments, and observe moving objects and events

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Emergency Requirement

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their supervisor or by law.

Benefits

Permanent employees will receive paid holidays, sick leave, vacation and longevity benefits per contract or Commission Rules. The District offers a comprehensive package of insurance benefits. Employees working less than full‑time, but a minimum of four hours will contribute an amount proportionate to the number of assigned work hours for major medical insurance benefits. The District does not offer a package of insurance benefits to employees working less than four hours per day. The District provides life insurance for employees who work a minimum of 3 hours. In addition, the District offers a retirement plan which uses joint employee and employer contributions.

Accommodations

Individuals with legally defined disabilities may request reasonable accommodation in the examination process. To make this request; please contact the Division of Human Resources at the time the application is submitted. Candidates may be required to provide documentation supporting the need for the accommodation.

Veteran Preference (for entry‑level positions only)

Veterans who have been honorably discharged after 30 days or more of service during time of war or national emergency will receive an additional 5 points which will be added to the passing score. Disabled veterans receive 10 points. Any applicant who claims veteran’s credit must submit DD Form 214 at the time the employment application is submitted. Failure to submit DD Form 214 at the time of application shall result in no veteran’s credits being considered or added to any passing score.

Prior to Employment The Following Must Be Completed:

Per Board Policy 4112.4/4212.4/4312.4, the cost of pre‑employment examinations shall be paid by the applicant.

Fingerprinting

Employees will be charged for processing their fingerprints at the time they are hired. The fingerprints are used to complete a confidential background investigation. All candidates with a record of convictions must indicate such on the confidential data form, which is attached to the job application. A record of conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment, but failure to list all convictions may result in disqualification or dismissal.

Physical Examination

Newly hired employees must pass a qualifying Medical examination given by a District‑appointed physician, which includes testing for illegal controlled substances.

Tuberculosis Exam

Newly hired employees must submit a Mantoux Skin screening and certificate of completion within the past 60 days that indicates freedom from active tuberculosis.

Immigration Reform and Control Act Of 1986

An Eligibility Verification Form (I‑9) will be required along with the supporting documents listed on the I‑9 form.

We are an equal opportunity and non‑discriminatory employer as mandated by Section 504 of the Office of Civil Rights.