Program Assistant

Serendipity Center Inc; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational center is seeking a dedicated Program Assistant to support the implementation of therapeutic education programs. The role involves collaborating with teachers to create Behavior Support Plans for students, providing individualized instruction, and mentoring instructional staff. Candidates should possess a relevant degree or Para-Professional certification and show skills in communication, organization, and multi-tasking in a dynamic educational environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year experience working with special education students.
• Current CPI certification preferred.
• Ability to follow instructions and multitask effectively.

Responsibilities

• Implement Behavior Support Plans and provide individualized instruction.
• Mentor Instructional Assistants and assess student interventions.
• Maintain student confidentiality and respond to behavioral challenges.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree

High school diploma with Para-Professional certification

Tools

MS Word

Outlook

Job description

Transforming Education, Empowering Lives: Support as our Program Assistant at Serendipity Center

Serendipity Center is leading the way in therapeutic education, offering a holistic approach that integrates Mental Health, Special Education, Wellness, and Transition Readiness. Our mission is clear: to empower students who need extra time, attention, and skill development to reach their full potential. As we grow, we are seeking a dedicated Program Assistant to help support our educational and administrative efforts.

You'll Drive the Mission By:

• Participates with mental health and classroom staff in the creation and implementation of Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) for students that address lagging skills and replacement behaviors.
• Provides group or individualized instruction, as directed by classroom teacher, using lessons and materials developed by teacher.
• Fosters the cultivation of academic, behavioral, and social learning objectives through planning and collaboration with classroom teacher.
• Mentors Instructional Assistants through the modeling of intervention strategies that are in alignment with Collaborative Problem Solving and principles of Re-Education as part of our Integrated Intervention Model.
• Assess continually the needed level of intervention to support and facilitate the learning activities in the classroom.
• Coaches and provides skill building opportunities in alignment with student's individualized plans; documents strategies/interventions and progress in specified locations.
• Maintains knowledge of each student's strengths, lagging skills, learning accommodations, goals, effective strategies, and mental health context.
• Establishes and maintains a rapport with students characterized by professional boundaries and respect; adapts interaction style for the needs of individual students.
• Protects confidentiality of information related to students and families.
• Performs CPI approved non-violent intervention strategies to promote the best care, welfare, safety, and security for students and staff.
• Support and collaborate with the teacher in identifying classroom routines and student trends to target during Continuous Improvement Team Meetings (CITMs).
• Provides constant supervision of students, particularly during transitions points in the school day (e.g., skills practice, dismissal, etc.) in conjunction with other staff members.
• Instructs and directs the classroom in the absence of, or under the direction of, the teacher using plans and materials approved by the teacher, Principal, and/or SPED Coordinator.
• Participates in planning, implementation, and documentation of each student's IEP/Treatment Plan goals.
• Assists with the orientation and training of new Instructional Assistants or Instructional Assistants new to their classroom.
• Assists in the preparation of graphic and written teaching materials.
• Completes classroom behavioral tracking daily.
• Provides clerical support to teacher (e.g., organization of BSPs, progress monitoring strategies).

What Makes You Qualified?

• Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree and at least one year experience working with SPED population OR High school diploma with Para-Professional certification and at least one year experience working with special education students.
• Certification/Licenses: Current CPI certification (can be obtained on the job). Para-professional certification strongly preferred.
• General Skills: Must be able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing. Must be able to effectively organize and prioritize work. Must be able to follow written and oral instructions. Must concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to work independently. Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Computer Skills: Proficient with email communication, Basic knowledge of word processing applications. General MS word, outlook, and data entry skill.
• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, reach, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. The employee must be able to frequently perform physical management techniques on children.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to assault by a student. The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but occasionally may be very loud.