Special Education Instructional Assistant, Expressions

Frederick County Public Schools; United States; Presencial; USD 32.000 - 42.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Frederick County Public Schools is seeking a Special Education Instructional Assistant for Expressions and related Specialized Programs to support students with special needs within FCPS. You will assist with IEP goals, adapt instructional materials, and help ensure safe classroom operations in a team environment.

Under supervision of certified staff, you may perform personal care tasks and mobility assistance as needed, while maintaining confidentiality and attending required trainings.

Formación

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) and alternative education options listed.
• 48 college credits, AA degree, or passing specific exams for Title One Schools.
• 1–3 years’ experience with students having behavioral, communicative or intellectual needs.
• CPR/First Aid Training to be completed within first year of hire if not current.
• Crisis Prevention training program completed within first year of hire.
• Registered Behavior Technician Training completed within first year of hire.
• Clear and concise oral and written communication skills.
• Willingness to participate in training and development programs.
• Regular and predictable attendance.

Responsabilidades

• Support students under direction of certificated FCPS staff.
• Communicate and document student progress.
• Set up and adapt materials and devices for student use as directed.
• Assist with student independence and mobility as needed.
• Monitor students during educational and recreational activities.
• Assist with routine personal care not requiring a nurse.
• Support implementation of IEP goals and objectives.
• Assist with assessments, crisis interventions, and safety plans as required.
• Participate in IEP and staff meetings and provide classroom coverage when needed.

Conocimientos

Clear communication

Team collaboration

Patience with students

Professional discretion

Adaptability

Educación

High school diploma or equivalent

48 college credits / AA or equivalent

Herramientas

CPR/First Aid Training

Crisis Prevention training

Registered Behavior Technician Training

Descripción del empleo

Special Education Instructional Assistant, Expressions JobID: 18924

All education provided on your application must be supported by attaching a scanned copy of your high school diploma, transcription or college/university transcript.

Special Note: This position is a Waiver position. A waiver position is assigned to the school above and beyond the normal staffing. Funding for this specific position will not continue into the 2027-2028 school year. As a result, the employee hired into this position will be subject to an involuntary transfer and placement into another comparable position with Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) for the 2027-2028 school year, in accordance with applicable FCPS procedures.

Work Year Calendar and Hours

Under the Fair Labor and Standards Act this position is non-exempt from overtime. Actual salary placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Frederick County Public School System. Please see linked salary scale for the full range. This vacancy announcement is part of a current classification study which is an ongoing evaluation process to review its duties, responsibilities, and appropriate placement within the organization's job structure at FCPS

Role

Under the general direction of one or more certified classroom teachers and/or school administrator(s), Special Education Instructional Assistants for Specialized Programs monitor, assist, and provide support for students with special needs to implement the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students that participate in Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) Specialized Programs (Expressions, Learning for Life, Pyramid, Rock Creek). Assistance to the student(s) may include extensive physical and/or personal care support. All duties/responsibilities are performed under the direction of a special education teacher. The ability to lift may be required based on student needs.

Essential Functions

• Supports students under the direction of a Certificated FCPS staff.
• Communicates and documents student progress.
• Sets up and adapts materials, equipment, and assistive devices for use by student(s) as directed.
• Facilitates student progress toward independence.
• Monitors and assists students during educational and recreational activities.
• Assists student(s) with routine physical and/or personal care not required to be performed by a nurse.
• Monitors and assists students in meeting IEP goals and objectives.
• Carries out emergency action and/or health care plans for designated student(s).
• Assists students with classroom accessibility.
• Prioritizes work assignments appropriately.
• Completes appropriate amount of work in an efficient manner; seeks out additional assignments as time permits.
• Demonstrates support for the organization and its goals; accepts constructive criticism.
• Reports promptly for work, utilizes time wisely and maintains an acceptable attendance pattern.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of English, spelling, vocabulary and mathematics.
• Maintains confidentiality of student information.
• Assists with administering, scoring, and recording of assessments.
• May participate in crisis intervention techniques.
• Assist with physically aggressive behaviors as needed.
• Assist in student mobility, moving wheelchairs, operating lifting devices and assisting students with self-care needs.
• Work effectively in a team environment.
• Supports the delivery of education and services to students with moderately to severe behavioral needs.
• Assists in the delivery of education and services to students with moderately to severe communication needs.
• Supports in the delivery of education and services to students with moderately to severe intellectual needs.

Other Functions

• Attends IEP team meetings and staff meetings as directed and/or scheduled.
• Provides weekly classroom coverage for teachers attending IEP team meetings.
• Provides general clerical support for the special education program, including typing, filing, making phone calls, scheduling, classroom preparation, and other similar tasks.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED). Note: 48 college credits, AA degree, or passing one of the following exams (ParaPathways, Pearson NES: Foundations of Classroom Support, or Pearson NES: Foundations of Classroom Support & Instruction) will be required for Title One Schools.
• One (1) to three (3) years' experience in working with students with moderately to severe behavioral, communicative and/or intellectual needs in a school or educational setting.
• CPR/First Aid Training (completed within first year of hire if not current)
• District approved Crisis Prevention training program (completed within first year of hire)
• Registered Behavior Technician Training (completed within first year of hire)
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, concisely in both oral and written form.
• Working knowledge of English, spelling vocabulary, and mathematics.
• Willingness to participate in training programs or professional development designed by the principal or central office staff as it pertains to the job function.
• Capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Regular and predictable attendance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate of Arts Degree
• College level coursework related to child development
• Previous experience working with children in an educational setting
• Experience working with students with disabilities
• Knowledge of American Sign Language.
• Knowledge of child development and instructional strategies.
• Familiarity with the FCPS policies, goals and programs.

Physical Demands

• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation and on the telephone and in addressing groups.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Ability to sit and stand in a classroom setting.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms.
• Sufficient manual dexterity to grasp, handle, manipulate, and/or feel objects and use classroom/office technology.
• Sufficient mobility to move about the work area.
• Sufficient vision to read and comprehend printed materials, see distant objects with clarity, and identify and distinguish objects.
• Sufficient hearing to hear and comprehend conversations in person and on the telephone, as well as distinguish sounds up to twenty (20) feet.
• Occasionally climb or balance.
• Frequently stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Frequently lifting fifty (50) pounds.

FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO INDICATE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING THIS POSITION. IT IS NOT WRITTEN TO INCLUDE OR BE INTERPRETED TO INCLUDE A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF ALL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF THE EMPLOYEE. NOTHING IN THIS DESCRIPTION RESTRICTS MANAGEMENT'S RIGHT TO ASSIGN OR REASSIGN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OR ADD REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT ANY TIME.