SOESD - Educational Assistant, STEPS Plus Behavioral Programs

Southern Oregon Education Service District; Gold Hill (OR); On-site; USD 28,323 - 33,902; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

PERS retirement benefits

9 paid holidays

Sick/vacation/personal leave

Job summary

The Southern Oregon Education Service District is seeking a confident and collaborative Educational Assistant to join its dynamic classroom team for the 2026-2027 school year.

The STEPS Plus Educational Assistant role focuses on supporting students with disabilities and significant behavioral challenges through behavior management, communication strategies, and specialized learning techniques, with a goal of returning to a less restrictive setting.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• CPR and First Aid certification required.
• Ability to learn and follow delegated medical procedures.
• Valid Oregon driver's license.
• Ability to pass a physical fitness test.
• Positive, flexible attitude.
• Physical stamina for exposure to physical injury and illness.
• Effective communication, teamwork, and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Assist in caring for students' needs, including toileting, feeding, and physical support.
• Collaborate with teammates to promote student success by following team decisions and planning.
• Assist in educating students per IEP goals using diverse learning techniques.
• Follow Behavior Support and Crisis Intervention Plans and contribute to Functional Behavioral Assessments.
• Provide physical support during crises as trained and safe.
• Support other students during crises and maintain classroom safety.
• Track behaviors and follow agency policies and procedures.
• Participate in team and committee meetings.
• Follow SOESD policies and procedures; perform duties as assigned.
• Participate in training and professional development.

Skills

Positive attitude

Flexibility

Effective communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Physical stamina

Adaptability

Safety awareness

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

CPR and First Aid certification

Valid Oregon driver's license

Job description

The Southern Oregon Education Service District is seeking a confident and collaborative Educational Assistant to join its dynamic classroom team for the 2026-2027 school year.

About SOESD

Southern Oregon ESD has locations in the Rogue Valley and Klamath County. The Rogue Valley is the cultural and economic heart of southern Oregon, home to legendary snow-skiing, white-water rafting, kayaking, hiking, fishing, as well as numerous cultural venues and events such as art galleries, the Britt Music Festivals, the Ashland Independent Film Festival, and the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Klamath Falls offers a unique blend of affordability, outdoor recreation, and community, making it an appealing option for those seeking a rural lifestyle. Klamath County is proudly the home of Crater Lake National Park. With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, outdoor sports are unlimited for all ages and all seasons.

For more information on living in the Rogue Valley, please see:

• Education: http://vimeo.com/5495231
• Cultural Opportunities: http://vimeo.com/5702777
• Recreational Opportunities: https://vimeo.com/5734731
• Health Care: https://vimeo.com/5510082

Educational Assistant, Behavioral Programs (STEPS Plus)

Position Goal

The goal of this position is to support students with disabilities and significant behavioral challenges by developing and implementing unique behavior management techniques, communication strategies, and specialized learning techniques, so these students can develop increased behavior self-regulation and return to a less restrictive setting.

Essential Duties

Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned. Essential duties of this position include:

• Assist in caring for student's needs, including toileting, feeding, and physically supporting children as needed.
• Participate as an effective team member across all settings in a manner that promotes collaboration for student success by carrying out team decisions, contributing relevant information, and planning, problem-solving, and decision-making on a daily basis.
• Assist in educating students in accordance with students' IEP goals by using a variety of learning techniques, communication strategies, and behavior intervention techniques.
• Be familiar with and follow the guidelines of the students' Behavior Support plan and Crisis Intervention Plan; provide input to the students' Functional Behavioral Assessment.
• Provide immediate physical support in helping to transport or restrain students for as long as needed to ensure safety in a crisis situation, in accordance with approved SOESD training.
• During a crisis or physical acting-out incident, assistants not handling the behavior should be able to quickly adapt to provide necessary support to other students and secure the classroom.
• Supervising and applying behavior intervention with students and diligently tracking all behaviors in a manner requested by the teachers and specialists as per approved agency policies and classroom procedures.
• Comply with ESD rules and policies.
• Perform physical requirements unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation (see reverse).
• Perform job-related tasks as designated by the supervisor.
• Participate in team meetings and other committee meetings.
• Follow established SOESD policies and procedures. Comply with district and ESD rules.
• Participate in training and professional development.
• Perform physical requirements unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Ability to obtain a CPR and First Aid training certification.
• Ability to learn and follow delegated medical procedures.
• A valid Oregon driver's license.
• Ability to pass a physical fitness test, as designated by SOESD, subject to retesting if physical requirements are not satisfactorily performed.
• Ability to read and follow a detailed schedule independently.
• Positive, flexible attitude.
• Physical stamina and general good health are needed for frequent exposure to physical injury from physical acting-out behavior and potential exposure to communicable diseases.
• Ability to independently problem solve potentially volatile situations quickly, effectively, and safely.
• Demonstrated effective communication skills, teamwork, and professionalism.

Any equivalent combination of experience, certification, and training/education, deemed by the district, which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of this job may be used as an alternative to this prerequisite.

Location:

In person in the STEPS Plus classroom.

Length of position:

190 Days (academic year)

Salary:

Per Collective Bargaining Agreement- $20.56/hr - $24.61/hr starting wage for 2026-2027 school year.

Immediate Supervisor:

Department Administrator

SOESD Benefits (For .50 FTE And Over)

• Southern Oregon ESD contributes up to $2182.00 per month (family coverage) for health, dental, and vision insurance premiums for qualified employees.
• Employer-paid PERS (Public Employee Retirement System), including an additional 6% individual investment account with PERS.
• 9 paid holidays
• A generous sick, vacation, and discretionary (personal) leave packet is also provided to qualified employees.

Health Insurance

• OEBB MODA
• Includes medical, dental, vision & prescription insurance
• Monthly premium deducted pre-tax

Options

• Health Savings Accounts
• Flexible Spending Accounts medical, day-care expenses
• Optional Coverage for Additional Life, AD&D, Short Term Disability Insurance through Aflac or American Fidelity
• 403(b)
• Mercy Flights Membership

The following physical requirements are essential functions of the Educational Assistant, Behavioral Programs:

• Stand/Walk - 4-6 hrs/day
• Sit/Sit on Floor - 1-4 hrs/day
• Drive - 1-4 hrs/day
• Bending - Frequently
• Squat - Frequently
• Climb Stairs - 1-4 hrs/day
• Single Grasping - Frequently
• Pushing - Frequently
• Pulling - Frequently
• Fine Manipulation - Frequently
• Repetitive Foot Control - Limited
• Lifting (less than 25 lbs.) - Frequently
• Lifting (25-50 lbs.) - Frequently
• Lifting (50-75 lbs.) - Occasionally
• Lifting (75-100 lbs.) - Occasionally
• Shift position quickly - Occasionally
• Strength/Endurance - Occasionally

Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions, or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify, or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

SOESD is an equal opportunity employer that complies with applicable employment discrimination laws, including ORS Ch. 659, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.