Interim Special Educational Assistant-Social Skills Classroom (WJMS)

Dickson County Schools; White Bluff (TN); On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Dickson County Schools in White Bluff, Tennessee seeks a Special Education Assistant to support instructional delivery and behavioral interventions for students with IEPs. The role works under supervision of a certified professional and teachers in assigned campuses.

The candidate will assist with daily living activities as needed, participate in de-escalation strategies, and help manage student movement during transitions and field activities, contributing to a safe learning environment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Experience or training in special education preferred.
• Ability to work with diverse student needs and teams.

Responsibilities

• Deliver instructional support and interventions designed by teachers.
• Assist with health and daily living activities for students as needed.
• Implement de-escalation strategies and support behavior plans.
• Escort students between classrooms, lunch, and activities.
• Interact professionally with students, parents/guardians, staff, and supervisors.

Skills

IEP support

Behavioral support

Instructional aid

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma

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.