Interim Special Educational Assistant (CMS)

Dickson County Schools; Charlotte (TN); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Dickson County Schools seeks a Special Education Assistant to support students under IEPs, delivering instructional help, behavior interventions, and life-skills practice under a certified professional.

This 10-month/200-day position operates on a Grade 9 classified salary schedule, with flexible hours and duties assigned by the supervising teacher, principal, or Director of Special Education; physical requirements include lifting up to 45 pounds and assisting students with daily living tasks.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent to graduation from high school.
• Ability to lift up to 45 pounds and assist students with daily living activities.
• Experience supporting students under IEPs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Delivers instructional interventions designed by general and special education teachers to help students meet educational goals.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations.
• Ability to organize materials and manage time effectively.
• Maintains calm while working with students in crisis.
• Uses de-escalation strategies when working with students in crisis.
• Attends to health and physical needs of students, including feeding, dressing, self-care, toileting, and related tasks.
• May conduct classes in a teacher's absence or during emergencies, focusing on re-teaching.
• Escorts students to and from designated areas for meals, activities, and trips.
• Lifts and handles up to 45 pounds; participates in positioning and movement of students.
• Navigates school facilities efficiently.
• Operates standard office and instructional equipment and technology.
• Communicates clearly with students, parents/guardians, colleagues and supervisors.
• Makes informed decisions in the absence of supervision.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervising staff.

Skills

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma

GED

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:

• 1. 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.
• 2. Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations.
• 3. Ability to organize materials and use time effectively.
• 4. Ability to remain calm while working with students in crisis.
• 5. Ability to utilize district-approved de-escalation strategies when working with students in crisis.
• 6. 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.
• 7. May conduct classes in the teacher's absence or during emergencies, focusing on re-teaching rather than introducing new material.
• 8. Escort students to and from designated areas for lunch, recess, activities, work programs, arrival and dismissal, as well as field trips.
• 9. Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 45 pounds, and perform tasks such as standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, or kneeling.
• 10. Ability to navigate the school facility.
• 11. Ability to operate standard office equipment and relevant technology and applications.
• 12. 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.
• 13. Capacity to make informed and autonomous decisions in the absence of supervision.
• 14. 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.