Instructional Assistant - Special Education - Skills Trainer Oak Grove Academy

Oak Grove Academy - Tom McCall; Forest Grove (OR); On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Grove Academy - Tom McCall in Forest Grove, Oregon, seeks an Instructional Assistant - Special Education to support students with multiple impairments and assist licensed staff in delivering targeted academic and behavioral support. The position runs 8am–3pm with duties including supervision and safety procedures.

The ideal candidate has 1–2 years of experience with behaviorally at‑risk children; bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent; 72 quarter hours of accredited college or equivalent education or passing score on HQ Assessment.
• Experience: 1–2 years of experience working with behaviorally at‑risk children or equivalent education/experience.
• Skills: Ability to operate basic office equipment and communicate effectively in English; basic clerical tasks and adaptability to student needs.

Responsibilities

• Provides intensive behavioral support in and outside the classroom.
• Coaches students to focus on social, emotional, and academic skills.
• Delivers direct instructional services under supervision of licensed staff.
• Performs crisis intervention and physical management as needed to ensure safety.
• Rides district buses as needed and supervises students during transitions.

Skills

Behavior support

Bilingual English/Spanish

Classroom support

Crisis intervention

Education

High School diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Instructional Assistant - Special Education - Skills Trainer Oak Grove Academy

FOREST GROVE SD 15 Oak Grove Academy - Tom McCall - Forest Grove, Oregon Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Forest Grove School District

Job Details

Job ID: 5958447

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Oct 13, 2026 7:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description

• This posting open until filled
• Location: Oak Grove Academy-Tom McCall
• Hours: 8am-3pm
• Start Date: As soon as your background and fingerprints clear.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
• $0.50 differential in addition to Skills Trainer pay

Job Classification: Instructional Services

Job Title: Skills Trainer - Oak GroveAcademy

POSITION SUMMARY

The job of “Skills Trainer-Oak Grove Academy” is done under the direct or indirect supervision a licensed staff member and assists teaching and therapeutic staff by providing concentrated academic and behavioral support to students with multiple impairments (emotional, behavioral, neurological, cognitive, and/or psychiatric) in a special public separate school. Employees in this classification do not supervise others and reports to the Special Education Administrator or designee.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides intensive behavioral support in and outside the classroom using methods such as re‑directing, positive reinforcement, collaborative conversations, and planning with students as aligned with program model.
• Coaches students to focus on the acquisition and practice of social, emotional, and academic skills.
• Provides individual and small group direct instructional services to students under the supervision of a licensed staff member.
• Performs crisis intervention and physical management according to OIS training as need to maintain the safety of students, staff and facilities.
• Rides district buses morning and afternoon as needed, assuring that students arrive at school safely without incident and follows OIS techniques if needed on bus.
• Provides constant supervision of students, particularly during transition points in the school day (e.g. meals, breaks, restroom, etc.) in conjunction with other staff members.
• Monitors and documents student progress as directed.
• Assesses continually the needed level of intervention to support and facilitate the learning activities in the classroom.
• Collaborates with mental health and classroom staff to become familiar with student skill levels, characteristics, strengths, disabilities, learning modalities and primary objectives.
• Understands and adheres to mandatory reporting laws and reports to Clinical Director (or designated substitute) all suspicions of potential abuse, neglect, self-harm and/or endangerment of others.
• Supervises student activities, paying particular attention during transitions points in the school day (i.e. arrival, meals, breaks, restroom, etc.) in conjunction with other staff members.
• Establishes and maintains a rapport with students characterized by professionalism and respect.
• Adapts interaction style for the needs of individual students.
• Protects confidentiality of information related to students and families.
• Conducts searches of students as aligned with program or as conditions require.
• Maintains familiarity with program safety protocols and implements all required instruction, drills and procedures.
• Attends and participates actively in regular department and other staff meetings.
• Collaborates with other staff to provide creative solutions for challenging student situations.
• Mentors peers as requested to assist with orientation and training of new staff or staff new to position.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Confers regularly with immediate supervisor
• Demonstrates professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, and dress in a neat, clean, and appropriate professional manner for the assignment and work setting
• Maintains consistent and predictable attendance to meet the requirements of the position.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education : High School diploma or equivalent; 72 quarter hours of accredited college or equivalent education or passing score on District HQ Assessment. Bachelor’s Degree preferred, but NOT required.

Experience : 1-2 years of experience working with behaviorally at‑risk children, or an equivalent amount of education and experience.

Skills : Operate a computer, office machines, telephone and other technology equipment. Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. Excellent organization skills. Must be alert to cognitive and physical handicaps (i.e. Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy) and the capabilities of Special Needs students and react in a sensitive and helpful way to situations in the classroom and school setting. Skills to perform instructional activities, communicate with parents, students, staff and community, basic arithmetic calculations, operate standard office equipment, use English in verbal and written form, use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling, and perform basic clerical functions. Must have background to assist with a wide variety of subject matter, i.e. reading, social studies and mathematics.

Knowledge : Knowledge of principles of child development, instructional processes.

Abilities : Work harmoniously with others. Work and communicate effectively with students, parents, and school personnel from diverse cultures or backgrounds in English, Spanish, or other languages related to the job. Work independently without supervision, and with minimum oral/written instructions. Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods, understand and carry out oral and written instructions, maintain confidentiality of student records, meet schedules and deadlines, read/interpret/apply rules, regulations and policies. Ability to concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to rapidly learn methods and materials used in a variety of instructional situations and use appropriate teaching methods as described by program supervisory staff. Ability to manage student behavior through the use of verbal and physical cueing. Significant physical abilities include lifting/reaching/handling, talking/hearing conversations, near/far visual acuity, moving to various locations within the classroom and school. Ability to perform physical management techniques on children.

Continuing Education/Training Clearances : Pre‑employment criminal justice fingerprint clearance and criminal background check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

In a 6.5-8 hour work day, this job requires:

R- Rarely (Less than .5 hr per day) O-Occasionally (.5-2.5 hrs per day)

F- Frequently (2.5-5.5 hrs per day) C- Continually (5.5-8 hrs per day)

NA- Not applicable

Physical Requirements: NA, R, O, F, C, Sitting, X, ... etc.

NA

R

O

F

C

Sitting

X

Stationary

X

Walking (surface level)

X

Walking (uneven surface)

X

Crawling

X

Crouching

X

Stooping (bend at knees)

X

Twisting (knees/waist/neck)

X

Turn/pivot

X

Climbing (stairs)

X

Climbing (ladder)

X

Reaching overhead

X

Reaching extension

X

Repetitive use arms

X

Repetitive use wrists

X

Repetitive use hands grasping

X

Repetitive use hands squeezing

X

Fine manipulation

X

Using foot control

X

Pushing/Pulling: Max weight 40lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying: Max weight 40lbs

X

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be required to physically interact with students who are aggressive, emotional and/or unpredictable in their reactions. The employee may be exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but occasionally may be very loud. The work environment may be fast paced and emotionally demanding.

The Forest Grove School District is an equal opportunity employer and provides services to the public on an equal opportunity basis and does not discriminate in employment or the provision of public services on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, citizenship or marital status.

Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact the Director of Human Resources at the Forest Grove School District, 503-357-6171.

Position Type: Regular

Salary: $23.32 to $29.17 Per Hour

Job Categories: Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• HR Department
• 1728 Main Street
• Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]