Teaching Assistant

State of Oregon; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 39,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Pension plan

Paid leave

Job summary

The Oregon School for the Deaf is seeking a Teaching Assistant for a full-time position during the academic year. Based in Salem, Oregon, the school serves Deaf and Hard of Hearing students aged kindergarten through 21, offering direct educational and residential services.

Responsibilities include supporting teachers with lesson plans, behavior plans, transitions, and classroom activities; ensuring student safety; and complying with policies to promote health and learning.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or two years of college in Education.
• ASLPI level 3 or SLPI:ASL Intermediate; bilingual differential pay after assessment.
• Criminal history background check required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering cognitive and self-help skills, monitor student behavior, and provide clerical support in the classroom.
• Aid teachers in implementing behavior plans and academic programs, with data collection and safety considerations.
• Escort and supervise students during transitions, including bus rides and meals.
• Follow lesson plans for groups across elementary to high school.
• Assist in activity preparation and clean-up as needed.
• Stay informed about policies and ensure health, safety, and welfare of students.

Skills

ASL proficiency

Effective communication

Experience with deaf/HOH

Classroom experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Two years of college in Education

Job description

Initial Posting Date:

08/20/2026

Application Deadline:

/

Agency:

Oregon Department of Education

Salary Range:

$3,515 - $4,738 ($3,742 - $5,067 PERS)

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Teaching Assistant

Job Description:

Position Title & Classification: Teaching Assistant

Salary Range: $3,515 - $4,738 ($3,742 - $5,067)

The Oregon School for the Deaf is seeking a Teaching Assistant! This is a full-time position that works during the academic year.

About us:

The Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD), located in Salem, Oregon, provides direct 24-hour educational and residential services to approximately 130 students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, kindergarten through age 21. OSD also acts as a resource to the entire state, providing special activities, consultation, and educational services to students, professionals, families, and the public.

All students enrolled at the Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD) are entitled to the best education that our resources can provide. Each student is valued as a unique individual, to be treated with dignity, in an atmosphere where individual differences are accepted. The ideal candidates are committed to ensuring that students reach their maximum potential in ASL and English, while also supporting their individual communication needs.

Please enjoy a video from OSD Director, Sharla Jones: Welcome Message.

What you will do!

Teaching Assistants play a vital role in making sure each student gets the help they need. They work closely with teachers to achieve the goals set in the students' plans, whether it's one-on-one teaching, helping with job-related tasks, or supporting health services. Teaching Assistants are always watching over students and quickly address any concerns by talking to the right people.

Typical duties include:

• Assist in delivering cognitive and self-help skills, monitor student behavior, and provide clerical support in the classroom.
• Aid teachers in implementing behavior plans and academic programs, actively participating in behavior management through observation, data collection, and interpretation. Ensure student safety during these activities.
• Escort and supervise students during transitions between classes and activities, including recess, bus rides, meals, and other non-instructional periods. This may involve occasional driving of a state vehicle for on- and off-campus educational programs.
• Follow teacher-made lesson plans when working with individual or small groups of students across elementary, middle, and/or high school departments.
• Assist in activity preparation and clean-up as needed.
• Stay informed about the Educational Staff Handbook, as well as OSD/ODE policies and procedures, to provide guidance in daily duties. Ensure compliance to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of students.

Please click this link to view the full position description

Minimum and Special Requirements:

• Equivalent to a high school diploma and six months of paid or unpaid experience working with or caring for children, preferably in groups; OR Two years of college courses in Education.
• Bilingual Requirement: These positions require a minimum of ASLPI level 3 or SLPI:ASL Intermediate. The successful candidate will receive a 5% bilingual differential pay upon successfully passing language assessment. You must meet this requirement within 12 weeks of hire.
• You must pass a criminal history background and fingerprint-based criminal history record check upon hire as required by ORS 326.603 and OAR 581-021-0500. There is a fee (payable by the successful candidate) of $71.50 for the process.

Desired Skills:

• Ability to work harmoniously with school age children and/or exceptional students of all ages and abilities.
• Effectively communicate ideas through signing and in writing.
• Experience working with deaf or hard of hearing children.
• Experience in a classroom setting with children.

Mandatory Working Conditions:

This position is required to obtain a first aid card and pass Oregon Type 10 license to provide student transportation in state vehicles. These positions involve being outside part of every workday (e.g. being with students to/from classes, and/or going to/from off-campus worksites, sometimes by bus). Occasionally, a student becomes combative to staff or other students. Occasional lifting or moving of educational equipment. Exposure to communicable diseases. Works with active deaf and hard-of-hearing children throughout the day. May be required to supervise students during special activities. May work with students who have severe emotional or behavioral problems with whom physical restraint techniques may need to be used. May work with and train teaching assistants, volunteers, college practicum students, and/or student teachers. Walks around and stands a great deal of the time in order to instruct and assess effectively.

Our amazing benefits include:

The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including excellent medical, vision and dental coverage, pension and retirement programs, paid holidays off, and personal business leave, as well as paid and accrued vacation leave, sick leave,. In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.

Student Loan Forgiveness Program: if you have federal student loan debt or are thinking of going back to school, then you will want to look into this program. If you make 120 qualifying payments on your student loan while working full time for a qualifying employer, your student loan debt may be forgiven.

If you currently work at an Oregon school district or education service district, we may be able to transfer in your sick leave balance! If you have a desire to make a difference in the lives of Oregonians, apply today!

Additional Information:

• These positions are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
• Salary Range: The range listed is the non-PERS salary range. Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS.
• Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment. For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage.
• The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submission. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.
• If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions or need assistance with the application process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please be sure to include the job requisition number.
• Veterans: Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans’ preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources. You may also call the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at 1-800-692-9666.
• Visa Sponsorship: The Oregon Department of Education does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The Oregon Department of Education is an E-Verify employer. If you are the successful candidate you must present your I-9 acceptable documents (See page 3) for employment verification.

The Department of Education is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workforce. The Department strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every one of our qualifications listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.

Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference… for a lifetime!