Instructional Associate

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit; North Whitehall Township (PA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution is seeking an Instructional Associate to provide behavioral interventions and classroom support. The role involves working collaboratively with students and educators to facilitate learning, develop behavior plans, and assist in daily classroom activities. Candidates are expected to have an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree along with skills in communication, confidentiality, and teamwork. This position promotes a nurturing environment where students with exceptional learning needs can thrive.

Qualifications

• One year experience in Human Services or Education preferred.
• Obtainment of 06 Substitute Teacher Permit after hire preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in teaching responsibilities including preparation of instructional materials.
• Work individually and in groups on academic activities, social interactions, and behavior management.
• Help develop and implement behavior plans for students.
• Provide instruction on study skills, conflict resolution, and peer interaction.
• Collaborate with teachers regarding student programming and classroom instruction.
• Collect data for Medical Assistance logs and IEP/BIP progress reporting.
• Assist students with self-help skills like personal hygiene and feeding activities.
• Monitor students during outdoor and physical activities.

Skills

Collaborative teamwork

Confidentiality

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Organizational skills

Educational terminology understanding

Task prioritization

Professional decision-making

Technology proficiency

Regular attendance

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Position Definition

This position will provide behavioral interventions and support instructional models in the classroom.

Relationship

The Instructional Associate shall be directly responsible to the Special Programs and Services Supervisor.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.
• One year experience in Human Services or Education, preferred.
• Obtainment of 06 Substitute Teacher Permit after hire, preferred.

Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrates the ability to maintain complete confidentiality.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated by patience, understanding, and congeniality to effectively work with exceptional learning needs students and staff.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively instruct and work with students.
• Demonstrates the ability to organize, plan, and manage job responsibilities in order to complete assignments with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates the ability to comply with PA Individual Education Plan implementation. Demonstrates the ability to understand basic educational terminology regarding students, programs, roles, and instructional activities.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritize and complete assigned tasks with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrates the ability to make professional decisions.
• Proficient in the use of technology to communicate with students, parents, staff, and administrators.
• Attends work regularly at assigned work hours subject to lawful leave rights and responsibilities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, lift, reach, and communicate (vision, hearing, and speech) to effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities.
• Ability to independently ambulate in and around work areas.
• Ability to travel to and from assigned work locations without employer support.
• Ability to exhibit appropriate manual dexterity to effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities.
• Ability to conduct a safety restraint protocol which requires:
• Normal degree of flexibility;
• The ability to stand, walk, run, and shuffle for at least several minutes; the ability to kneel on one and two knees and then stand up;
• The ability to bend the trunk at 45 degrees and twist to either side;
• The ability to grasp firmly and raise hands above the head;
• The ability to learn and correctly demonstrate multi‑step physical skills.

Authority

The Instructional Associate will have the authority to perform all functions listed above in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities

Essential

• Assists in teaching responsibilities including preparation of instructional & classroom materials, daily attendance recording, and assisting with parent communication systems.
• Works with students individually and in small groups on academic/developmentally‑appropriate activities, social interactions, communication, practical life skills, and behavior management to accomplish instructional objectives as assigned by the teacher.
• Assists in the development and implementation of a behavior plan for individual students which focuses on appropriate behaviors necessary for successful adjustment to the daily school routine.
• Provides instruction for students on study skills, behavior management, conflict resolution, anger management, and peer interaction.
• Works with student and educational staff to provide stabilization of the student in the school community and increase student independence.
• Serves as teacher under an emergency permit when needed and if properly certified.
• Monitors students and continues classroom activities if teacher is interrupted and/or involved in other program activities.
• Collaborates with teacher and educational staff regarding student programming and classroom instruction.
• Collects data for Medical Assistance logs and IEP/BIP progress reporting.
• Performs appropriate lifting, positioning, and transferring techniques in accommodating students’ needs.
• Monitors/assists students with all self‑help skills such as personal hygiene/toileting/diapering/changing of clothes/feeding activities.
• Operates computer, assistive technology devices, and other technology and equipment, implements online curriculum resources, and participates in virtual learning platforms with students.
• Assists in keeping inventory and ordering materials from warehousing.
• Escorts and assists students as needed to nurse, therapies, general education classes, and special activities and programs/projects when necessary.
• Assists in making contacts for community‑based activities.
• Monitors outdoor and physical activities and assists bus/van loading and unloading.
• Assists in the implementation of emergency evacuation drills and procedures.
• Contributes to the development and maintenance of an environment that is non‑threatening, safe, nurturing, and where students feel respected, accepted, and welcome.

Secondary

• This Job Description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform other duties as assigned.