Student Support Specialist

About the Employer

Student Support Associate

Job Summary/Goal

To assist classroom teacher in helping students to increase their academic and social skills as well as prepare them for inclusive activities into general education classrooms. Assist in maintaining a safe and orderly environment. Assist in problem-reducing behavior in/on school facilities to reduce disruptions and off-task behavior within the classroom.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Duties may vary by season, grade-level and activity usage; however, significant performance responsibilities are listed below. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive. Other duties may be assigned which fulfill the needs of students.

Programs and/or Students with Special Needs

Programs and/or students have been assigned an educational assistant because of one or more conditions which diminish capacities; examples include: blind, hard of hearing, cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, limited (fine) motor skills, reduced mental abilities, confined to wheelchair, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, etc.

Supervision and Assistance

Under the guidance of a principal, teacher or nurse, supervise and assist the students with:
* Personal hygiene programming.
* Protect the student's health and safety through the administration of CPR, first aid, changing trach, catheters, use of medications, knowledge of the student's reaction to medication; both over/under correct levels.

Environmental Mobility Programming

Supervise and assist the students with:
* Environmental mobility programming that is conducted within the community setting.
* The adaptive physical education program special events, field trips, assemblies, tours, and concerts.

Classroom Support

Assist with all student needs during the day including but not limited to: movement in and between classes, art, music, physical education, physical therapy, recess, restrooms, personal hygiene, and occupational therapy.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Facilitation

Carries out teacher directed activities to reach the student's established goals on an individual basis or within a group. Assist with the preparation of specialized teaching aids and materials as planned by the teacher. Carries out the recommendations provided by consultants (e.g., occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech/language pathologist, etc.).

Classroom Management

Enforce rules and procedures for appropriate classroom behavior, to maintain and promote a fair, supportive, inclusive and positive learning environment.

Reinforcement Strategies

Use appropriate reinforcement strategies such as prompting, modeling and shaping.

Positive Interactions

Provide modeling and guidance when implementing activities that integrate children with special needs. Assist in maintaining a fair, supportive and inclusive learning and working environment for all students and employees regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or genetic information.

Student Feedback and Reinforcement

Provide student with feedback and reinforcement on the student's performance consistent with the teacher's behavior management plan.

Communication Skills

Read and comprehend at the student's grade level or above. Develop working rapport with the student(s).

Confidentiality and Record-Keeping

Confidentiality of all information and student records is mandatory. Maintain a clean, sanitary, orderly and safe environment.

Health and Safety

Ensure the health and safety of the student at the center, on the outdoor play areas and on field trips.

Reporting and Data Management

Record behavioral data, accident reports, etc.

Professional Development

Exhibits an understanding of the district / school programs that exist in assigned learning environment. Works collaboratively with and plans, reviews and reports student needs, concerns and performance with assigned teacher / team.

Classroom Assignments and Tasks

Assist student in completing classroom assignments and tasks reinforcing concepts presented by the teacher.

Environmental Awareness

Recognize and facilitate appropriate environments for individual students and classmates in their work and behaviors.

Behavior and Learning Challenges

Offer new ideas; suggest innovative and better ways of performing necessary tasks.

Supervisory Responsibilities

If required, supervise the individual special needs student(s) as well as other students throughout the building/playground.

Minimum Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent. Experience working with students preferred but not required. Experience in school special education department or related experience preferred but not required. Experience working with behavior and learning challenged students.

License or Certification

American Heart or Red Cross Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification for adult, child and infants including automated external defibrillator (AED) and barrier devices (preferred). American Heart or Red Cross First Aid certification (preferred). Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training (preferred). Annual mandatory reporting for child/dependent adult abuse.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be capable of standing constantly Must constantly present appropriate appearance and personal cleanliness suited to working in close proximity to school age children and adults Must be able to frequently work with interruptions during a work shift

Must be capable of *frequently working with co-workers with different personalities.

May be necessary to lift up to 80 pounds to waist level (with assistance), lift up to 30 pounds to shoulder level, and lift up to 25 pounds above head level.

Must be capable of carrying a wheelchair, other mobility devices, equipment or supplies weighing up to 50 pounds for a distance of 20 feet. Must be capable of carrying a wheelchair, other mobility devices, equipment or supplies weighing up to 50 pounds up 10 steps. Must be capable of trunk rotation for up to 2 minutes at a time. Must be capable of squatting for up to 2 minutes.

Must be capable of sitting at different levels including adult and child height chairs (12 inches), benches and the floor and up and down movements to attain those different levels.

Willing to come into contact with body fluids such as urine, blood and nasal secretions and contagious diseases such as flu and the common cold.

Must be capable of using cleaning and sanitizing chemicals with appropriate PPE's. Must be capable of working in broad range of temperatures, humidity and other winter and summer environments. Must be capable of working in a noisy environment. Have physical dexterity in limbs and digits necessary to physically interact with children in a playground and classroom environment.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in this environment is quiet to loud, depending upon the activity in the particular location and part of the day. The environment has little or no air conditioning. Some supervisory responsibilities may require the employee to work outside in all types of weather.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Linn-Mar Community School District shall provide equal opportunity to employees and applicants for employment in accordance with applicable equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws, directives, and regulations of federal, state, and local governing bodies. In employing individuals, the district will consider the qualifications, credentials, and records of the applicants without regard to age, color creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, genetic information, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, military status, socioeconomic status, pregnancy, or familial status.