Special Education Instructional Assistant III

Young World Physical Education; Independence (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Young World Physical Education in Independence, Oregon, is seeking a Special Education Instructional Assistant III to assist classroom teachers and provide support to students in various educational environments.

This role involves physical management of students with disabilities, ensuring a safe learning atmosphere, and collaborating closely with instructional staff. Candidates must have a relevant Associate's degree and experience in educational settings.

Qualifications

• Education: Requires an Associate's degree or paraprofessional assessment.
• Experience: Previous experience in an educational setting preferred.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Assist the classroom teacher with specific duties and tasks.
• Help students with personal care tasks as needed.
• Monitor students' behavior and maintain a safe learning environment.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Confidentiality

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent

Tools

Computer usage

Job description

Special Education Instructional Assistant III

Starting Date: Aug 25, 2026

Job Title: Instructional Assistant III (Special Ed.)

Reports To: Building Administrator

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

This position assists classroom teaching staff and/or specialists by performing instructional tasks in small groups and one‑on‑one settings and provides student supervision in the Post‑High Transition Program and Intensive Learning Centers. Additionally, individuals in this classification may provide student support in a Resource Room or classroom environment as assigned.

BASIC ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist classroom teacher in performing specific duties as assigned or undertaking specialized tasks to achieve and enhance instructional and behavioral objectives.
• Lift, move, and operate adaptive equipment.
• Assist students with personal care tasks, including but not limited to clothing, hygiene, diapering, toileting, and wash‑up routines.
• Assist in the implementation of 504 or Individual Education Plans for the students and monitor their progress. Be capable of physically assisting students with special needs as required (positioning, lifting, transferring, restraining, etc.)
• Have demonstrated ability to work effectively under the direction of others.
• Have demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Have willingness to assume any responsibilities appropriate for the position.
• Behave and speak in a professional manner at all times.
• Communicate with supervising instructional staff and take direction from professional support personnel (e.g., speech therapist, behavior specialist, occupational therapist, etc.) for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Implement under the supervision of assigned teacher behavioral plans designed by IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts. Model conversation, manners, clean up activities, listening, and everyday interactions for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Monitor student’s daily schedule and behavior plan (e.g. class schedule, lavatory, toileting, medication, appetite, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Respond to emergency situations (e.g. injured students, student conflicts, etc.) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Demonstrate cooperation, openness for growth and willingness to contribute in a team approach.
• Collaborate and cooperate with colleagues, supervisors, and students.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding all aspects of his/her work with special education children and other staff.
• Assist students, individually or in groups, with lesson assignments to reinforce learning concepts.
• Tutor students individually or in small groups to reinforce and follow up learning activities.
• Oversee and supervise students during activities, in library, in hallways, on field trips, at lunch and recess, ensuring safety and security at all times.
• Assist with loading and unloading children from buses.
• Assist students with managing behaviors and resolving conflicts as assigned by the teacher in multiple settings including classroom, individual learning space, and community.
• Maintain accurate and current student records (e.g., behavior/academic data), attendance records and files.
• Maintain a safe learning environment for students at all times.
• Follow the prescribed daily schedule as outlined by the teacher.
• Assist the teacher in the set‑up and maintenance of the classroom materials and supplies.
• Assist the teacher in scheduling appropriate meetings and completing paperwork.
• Assist the teacher in developing and assembling alternative educational materials (copying, typing, laminating, etc.).
• Assist teachers with filing, typing and/or data entry, duplicating materials and operating general office machinery including photocopy machines, computers and fax machines.
• Evaluate student injuries, determine course of action, perform minor first aid in compliance with District policy(ies) and complete required paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Report safety, sanitary and fire hazards immediately to supervisor.
• Maintain appropriate certifications and training hours as required.
• Comply with applicable District policies and procedures, state, local and federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Interact thoughtfully and courteously with students, staff and community.
• Attend work regularly and be punctual.
• Attend in‑services, trainings, and staff meetings as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work directly with students who may require physical restraints, which will require special training and education.
• Work directly with students with severe disabilities.
• Must currently have or have the ability to obtain a CPR/First Aid Card and Restraint Certificate.
• Assist with physical management of students including lifting, moving, positioning, feeding, and toileting or diapering under the direction of teacher.
• May be required, as needed, to satisfactorily perform some or all of the following specific evidence‑based strategies as requested by teacher or other specialists: antecedent‑based interventions, consequence‑based interventions, discrete trial training, task analysis, functional communication training, using visual supports, using structured work systems, and pivotal response training.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Associate's degree (A.A.), or equivalent, or successful completion of a paraprofessional assessment. Must be highly qualified as defined by State/Federal rules, regulations and Board policies.
• Experience: Previous experience with children in an educational setting preferred.
• Works well with others; focuses on solving conflict, maintaining confidentiality, listening without interrupting, keeping emotions under control, remaining open to others’ ideas and building positive team spirit.
• Ability to communicate fluently verbally and in writing in English, present information and respond to questions in one‑on‑one and small‑group situations.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
• Ability to solve practical problems and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• General knowledge of computer usage and ability to use email, internet software, word processing software.
• Ability to politely and appropriately communicate with students, teachers, parents and community members and exercise good judgment in a dynamic environment.
• Certificates as required by district including highly qualified requirements, Mandt Certification or equivalent, valid CPR/First Aid card. Additional training: bloodborne pathogen training, child abuse and sexual conduct training, and other district‑specified training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Employee regularly required to talk or hear. Frequently required to walk, stand, sit, use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. May occasionally climb stairs or ladders. Requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus and peripheral vision. Job requires approximately 20% sitting, 40% walking or moving, 40% standing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Standard classroom setting. Noise level low to moderate, occasionally high depending on student population and activities. Employee occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions, outdoor weather and bloodborne pathogens.

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 at any time as it deems advisable.