Interim Special Educational Assistant (CMS)

Fort Madison Community School District; Charlotte (TN); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Fort Madison Community School District seeks a Special Education Assistant to deliver instructional support and behavioral interventions under supervision. You will implement IEPs, assist with life skills, and help manage daily activities for students in a flexible, 200-day contract.

The role requires strong communication, adaptability, and safety-minded teamwork in a school setting with varied activities and responsibilities throughout the day.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent required.
• Ability to implement instruction and behavioral supports per IEPs.
• Experience with de-escalation and safe crisis handling is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Delivers educational instruction and interventions designed by teachers to meet goals.
• Assists in implementing IEPs and behavioral plans for students.
• Adapt to changing situations and organize materials efficiently.
• Escort students to/from designated areas for meals, activities, and trips.
• Assist with daily living activities and health-related tasks as needed.
• Maintain calmness during crises and apply district-approved strategies.

Skills

Instruction delivery

Behavioral support

IEP support

De-escalation strategies

Flexible/adaptive

Time management

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Computer basic use

Office equipment

Job description

Job Description

Special Education Assistant

Reports To

Supervising Teacher, Principal, Director of Special Education

Dept/School

Assigned Campus

Employment

200 Day Contract, Flexible hours needed for various activities, Salary Schedule

Calendar

10 Months / 200 Days

Salary Grade

Grade 9 (Classified)

Date Revised

4/11/2025

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or any combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from high school.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The special education assistant delivers educational instruction, support, and behavioral interventions for special education students as outlined in each student's individualized education plan, or IEP, under the direction of a certified professional.

Performance Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Delivers educational instruction and interventions designed by general and special education teachers to help students meet educational, academic, life skill, behavioral, physical, social, and emotional goals.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations.
• Ability to organize materials and use time effectively.
• Ability to remain calm while working with students in crisis.
• Ability to utilize district-approved de-escalation strategies when working with students in crisis.
• Attend to the unique health and physical needs of students, which may include feeding, dressing, self-care, toileting, diapering, and other activities of daily living.
• May conduct classes in the teacher's absence or during emergencies, focusing on re-teaching rather than introducing new material.
• Escort students to and from designated areas for lunch, recess, activities, work programs, arrival and dismissal, as well as field trips.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 45 pounds, and perform tasks such as standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, or kneeling.
• Ability to navigate the school facility.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and relevant technology and applications.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including reading and understanding documentation, instructions, policies, and procedures, and communicating effectively with students, and parents/guardians, co-workers, and supervisors.
• Capacity to make informed and autonomous decisions in the absence of supervision.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervising teacher, principal, or Director of Special Education.

Tools/Equipment Used

Standard office equipment including computer; standard instructional equipment; other specialized and adaptive equipment used by students

Posture

Frequent standing; kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion

Frequent walking and reaching

Lifting

Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); Occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) and positioning or students with physical disabilities, controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting nonambulatory students, and lifting and moving adaptive and other classroom equipment

Environment

Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards (bacteria, communicable diseases)

Mental Demands

Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

Notes

The duties outlined are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment for this classification

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.