Special Education Instructional Aide (Moderate/Severe Disabilities)

Hawthorne School District; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus $1,000

Fringe benefits

Job summary

Hawthorne School District in Southern California seeks a dedicated support staff member to assist in special education programs for students with learning needs. This role involves applying intensive behavior interventions (Applied Behavior Analysis) and helping implement individualized plans within classroom settings.

You will collect progress data, support teachers and specialists, and help in preparing instructional materials while maintaining a safe and engaging learning environment for

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic child growth and development and developmental behavior, especially for pupils with special needs; behavior management strategies and techniques for pupils with autism.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding, patient and receptive attitude toward students of varied age groups and needs; communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Appropriate English usage, punctuation, spelling, and grammar; basic arithmetical concepts; routine record storage and retrieval.

Responsibilities

• Assist individual students and small groups with learning activities.
• Administer intensive behavior intervention under supervision.
• Contribute to implementing IEPs with input from staff such as school psychologists or behavior analysts.
• Collect data and maintain progress notes, and apply behavior modifications as needed.
• Support in training for personal hygiene and development of self-sufficiency.
• Assist in managing student behavior and creating a safe learning environment.

Skills

Behavior management

Developmental knowledge

Communication

Data recording

Education

Associate's degree or higher

Job description

Salary noted is starting salary. The District offers exceptional fringe benefits, plus a $1,000 signing bonus

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, to perform a variety of activities; to assist in the conduct of training and learning activities with children experiencing special learning needs; to perform a variety of routine clerical and supportive activities for instructional personnel; to implement intensive behavior intervention programs for identified special education students; provide intensive behavioral intervention services (Applied Behavioral Analysis) and to do other related work as required.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Assists individual students and small groups of students with special learning needs to reinforce and follow up learning and training activities.


• Under supervision, administer intensive behavior intervention to students in a school setting.


• Works on behavioral recommendations provided by staff, especially the school psychologists and board certified behavior analyst.


• Confers with instructional personnel and provide input regarding student progress to implement Individualized Education Programs (IEP’s).


• Collects data and record anecdotal student progress notes, and implement behavior modifications.


• Assists instructional personnel with behavior management of students.


• Assists in training for personal hygiene, taking care of personal needs, and developing basic self-sufficiency.


• Assists students by interpreting classroom assignments.


• Supervises student at recess, lunch, on the playground, and on field trips.


• Applies behavior modification techniques.


• Assures the safety of students by following safety practices and procedures.


• Attends a variety of meetings, workshops and in-service trainings to maintain current knowledge of special education practices.


• Participates in seminars, and workshops in the area of autism and intensive behavior.


• Sets up work areas and prepare materials for instructional use.


• Directs students into safe learning and play activities and functions, and assists in shaping of appropriate social behaviors.


• Assists in the management of students exhibiting challenging behaviors through the use of positive reinforcement strategies and other appropriate techniques.


• Assists in the preparation of a variety of instructional materials and learning aids geared to the instructional level of children with special needs.


• Maintains a variety of records, including confidential student records.


• Monitors and assists in the remediation of specific learning problems and conditions.


• Maintains or assists in maintaining an orderly, attractive, and positive learning environment.


• Assists in toileting, which includes: cleaning and changing students, as well as supporting toileting goals.


• Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Basic concepts of child growth and development and developmental behavior characteristics, particularly pertaining to pupils with special learning needs; Behavior management strategies and techniques relating to pupils experiencing atypical control problems; Special needs and requirements of students with autism; Child guidance principles and practices related to children with special education and autistic needs; Applied Behavior Analysis methods; General purposes and goals of public education.

• Appropriate English usage, punctuation, spelling, and grammar;


• Basic arithmetical concepts;


• Routine record storage, retrieval;

Ability to: Demonstrate an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude toward students of varied age groups, particularly those exhibiting specialized needs; Appropriately manage students exhibiting challenging behavior and guides students toward more acceptable social behaviors; Communicate effectively in oral and written form; Perform routine clerical tasks and operate a variety of educational and office related machines and equipment; Learn to utilize a variety of appropriate instructional materials and procedures in the enhancement of a training and educational environment; Understand and carry out oral and written directions; Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with children and adults.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions.

• Persons performing service in this position classification will exert 50 to 75 pounds of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.


• This type of work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods.


• Perceiving the nature of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, providing oral information, the manual dexterity to operate business related equipment, and handle and work with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skills would be:

• Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade, and must meet one of the following requirements:
  
  
  
  • a) have obtained an Associate’s (or higher) Degree,
  
  
  • b) have completed at least 2 years (48 semester units) of study at an institution of higher education.
  
  
  • c) have met a rigorous standard of quality that demonstrates, through a formal academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and math.
  
  

Company Description

The community and the staff of the Hawthorne School District are committed to providing a rigorous standards-based educational program to its students. Students are challenged and encouraged to excel in all curricular areas. The staff aspires to encourage continuous individual development and a lifetime love of learning, and prepare students to be successful in a culturally diverse society.

Hawthorne School District is dedicated to educational excellence and the continuous academic growth of all students. Located in Southern California’s Los Angeles basin, minutes from the Los Angeles International Airport, the Hawthorne School District educates close to 10,000 pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade students in the diverse urban community of Hawthorne. Founded in 1907, the District is proud of its long tradition of academic excellence. There are currently seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and a charter high school in the District. All schools follow a modified traditional school calendar. The District’s high school, Hawthorne Mathematics and Science Academy, opened in the 2003-04 school year and offers a rigorous, college-preparatory program. Students from Hawthorne School District not attending the charter high school attend high schools in the Centinela Valley Union High School District.