Instructional Assistant 2 - Secondary Transition/LFI Job ID# 1806

Calvert County Public Schools; Prince Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A public school district in Maryland seeks an Instructional Assistant 2 to provide instructional and behavioral support to students with disabilities. The role involves working independently in both school and community settings, assisting with individualized education programs, and ensuring positive student progression towards independence. Candidates should possess a high school diploma and strong communication skills, with some experience preferred. The position offers a supportive environment for specialized instruction and student assistance.

Qualifications

• Experience working with high school-aged children with disabilities is preferred.
• Ability to use instructional technology.
• Valid driver's license and motor vehicle insurance.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional and emotional support to students with disabilities.
• Assist in implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Work with students in community settings and on job sites.

Skills

Communication skills

Adaptability

Problem-solving

Behavior management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Overview

NOTICE OF VACANCY

May 30, 2023

POSITION: INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT 2: Secondary Transition Support- Learning for Independence Program

LOCATION: Calvert County School

Position Summary

The Instructional Assistant 2 will provide instructional, behavioral, and social emotional support services to help achieve a well-organized, smoothly functioning class and school environment in which students can take full advantage of the instructional program and available resources. The Instructional Assistant 2 will be assigned to work with students with disabilities in the Learning for Independence Program (LFI), primarily in community settings to support the implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in the areas of community-based instruction and work-based learning in alignment with secondary transition plans. Additional instruction and support will be provided within special general education classrooms and special education classrooms. Under the direction of a special education teacher, this Instructional Assistant 2 will independently provide instruction, supports and job-coaching to individual or small groups of students across school and community settings.

Reports To

Principal and Supervisor of Special Education

Education, Certification, and Experience

• High school diploma or general education development (GED) program certificate
• Experience working with high school aged children with disabilities providing community-based instruction and / or work-based learning instruction is preferred
• Experience managing externalizing behaviors
• Earns and maintains non-violent Calvert County Public School crisis management training (includes Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), trauma-informed care, COMAR law training related to restraint, seclusion, and exclusion, risk related to the use of restraint, and documentation of crisis events), Ukeru crisis intervention training, restorative practices training, academic research-based intervention training and other trainings and certifications as required.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

These are pre-employment knowledge, abilities, and skills that apply to the Essential Job Functions.

At the time of application, the candidate must have:

• Exceptional ability to understand and communicate with both verbal and written skills
• Ability to operate various office machines and instructional technology
• Ability to follow a flexible schedule and adapt to various environments
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work with out direct onsite supervision
• Demonstrated ability to relate effectively to students, teachers, staff, parents, and community members
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, make informed decisions, and communicate effectively with all stakeholders when presented with stressful situations
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize tasks
• A valid driver’s license and motor vehicle insurance
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Calvert County Public Schools may find appropriate and acceptable

Essential Job Functions, Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide instructional, behavioral, and social emotional supports and services to students with disabilities.
• Independently provide instruction and coaching to students within the school setting, community and on job sites, under the general direction of a teacher
• Positively encourage students to progress toward independence in academic, personal, and work tasks
• Make individual decisions regarding support and guidance with students in the community.
• Solve unforeseen problems or issues when working in the community with students.
• Assist individual children in need of special attention in areas including, but not limited to, academics, social, emotional, behavioral supports, and activities of daily living
• Assist with the provision of specially designed instruction and consistent implementation of student(s)’ Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) under the direction of the teacher.
• Assist in the implementation of and collection of data as required by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and/or Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) across settings and tasks (school, work, community)
• Deliver academic interventions and implement proactive behavioral supports/ interventions
• Intervene in crisis situations in the school environment as needed, which may include use of non-violent CPI when student exhibits aggressive behavior
• Assist students with activities of daily living including toileting/changing and activities of daily living
• Work with groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher
• Collaborate with a variety of educators and providers to implement students’ IEPs across settings
• Assist individual students in need of special attention
• Perform clerical duties
• Guide independent study, enrichment work, and other student supports, planned by the teacher
• Set up, and/or operate instructional technology, laboratory equipment, and computer programs
• Assist teacher with implementation of classroom duties, routines, and instruction
• Supervise students
• Participate in professional learning opportunities
• Provide periodic class coverage in absence of a classroom teacher
• Positively interact with others
• Report to work promptly every day
• Meet deadlines
• Duties listed are not intended to be all inclusive nor limit duties that might reasonably be assigned.

Other Duties

Performs related work as required or assigned by the building principal or designee

Physical Demands

• Position is performed supporting students in the community and in a typical school environment.
• Significant periods of standing and walking are required.
• Work may require physical as well as psychological confrontations with students who exhibit aggressive behaviors.
• Instructional Assistants assigned to support students with physical disabilities may be required to lift or assist with lifting students at various times during the instructional day.

Unusual Demands

Transport students in board owned vehicle when required.

Terms of Employment

Ten (10) month position and salary commensurate with qualifications applied to the current salary schedule for support employees (Grade 8). All employees are encouraged to have automatic payroll deposit.

FLSA Status

Non-exempt

Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the policy on evaluation as established by the Calvert County Public Schools.

Effective Date of Position

School Year 2022-2023

Application Procedure

This posting will remain open until filled.

All applicants please apply through the applicant tracking system located on the Calvert County Public Schools’ website – CalvertNet at calvertnet.k12.md.us.

References must be directly related to education experience and must include immediate supervisor.

Prior to the filling of any vacancy, permanent employees who have requested a transfer in a timely manner shall be afforded an opportunity meet with the supervisor of the position for which the vacancy exists.

State law requires that anyone hired after October 1, 1986, who will have contact with school children, must be fingerprinted and submit to a criminal background investigation. Federal law requires that a new employee must complete the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) in person before beginning employment. Employment is conditional upon successful completion of a drug screen. Current employees of the Calvert County Public Schools are exempt from these requirements.

House Bill 486 – Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Prevention Statement

Pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland - House Bill 486 - Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Prevention, all applicants are required to report all former employment where direct contact with minors may have occurred. The applicant must submit the contact information of the current employer, all former school employers, and all former employers not school related. Applicants should also include contact information for organizations where the applicant has volunteered, coached, mentored, tutored or otherwise had direct contact with minors.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Student Services
• Director of Human Resources 443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: OC R CAS.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

Housekeeping note: The following information and formatting have been revised to improve readability while preserving content.

Nondiscrimination and Harassment Statements

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate or harass on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or other protected classes. If you believe you have experienced harassment, please report to the individuals listed below:

Harassment contacts:

Mr. James Kurtz, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: OC RCAS.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.