JOB TITLE:  Learning Specialist Assistant                                 

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:  Building Administrator

FTE:  (.4688) 3.75 hour positions - Multiple postions available

POSITION START DATE:  October 14, 2019 or as soon as possible after hire

Employment in our Title 1 schools is contingent upon providing proof of Highly Qualified Documents (Transcripts or ParaPro Test Results).

GENERAL DUTIES SUMMARY:

Performs a variety of duties in assisting a licensed teacher in the implementation of instructional programs for students with special needs.  May function in an instructional setting separate from the teacher, exercising a considerable degree of skill with supervision within the framework of a teacher-planned and evaluated program.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential requirements and responsibilities of this position are listed below.  Employees in this position must possess the ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

• Make some independent judgments within prescribed policies and procedures
• Employ good judgment in a variety of situations, including emergencies
• Work with a variety of students and demonstrate a willingness to gain the information and training necessary to work effectively
• Possess the characteristics and understanding to be an effective member of an educational support team
• Comprehend and follow oral and written instructions and complete work within established time lines
• Communicate with appropriate student age group requiring the exercise of both empathetic and disciplinarian approaches
• Maintain a confidential, non-preferential, non-judgmental manner towards the students, staff, and program
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, staff, and general public
• Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, word usage, and sentence construction of the English language as necessary to detect and correct basic errors in prepared materials
• Demonstrate mental acuity, processing skills and long and short term memory to track and meet deadlines and responsibilities
• Demonstrate ability to be at work, on time, every work day
• Preferred-Discrete Trial Training and Applied Behavorial Analysis Experience
• Spanish Preferred
• Must have AA Degree or Equivalent

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION, SKILLS, AND CAPABILITIES

• Learn and implement policies for students of program employee is responsible for (see duties and responsibilities for specific job)
• Keep current on changes in requirements of the job by possessing a willingness to attend training, classes or workshop
• Assist in administering criterion referenced tests for the purpose of daily tracking or programming
• Implement education program as designed by Learning Specialist (i.e. language, motor, academic and
• physical Ed. programs)
• Assist in implementing behavioral and disciplinary programs as designed and mentored by Learning
• Specialist
• Assist with and/or monitor student's completion of classroom assignments  either in regular classroom or special education setting
• Assist student in performing routines related to self-help including but limited to; feeding, toileting, and mobility
• Correct Objective tests and assignments
• Contact parents to communicate objective information as assigned by Learning Specialist
• Maintain confidential files as assigned by Learning Specialist
• Escort and monitor students in and out of classroom including but not limited to; playgrounds, cafeteria, buses, restrooms, field trips
• Work on basic computer software
• Collect data regarding students goals for their IEPs (Individual Education Plans)
• Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form
• Depending on individual assignments, a combination of education and experience that equals 12-14 years
• One year minimum child-care experience is preferred
• One year experience as an Instructional Assistant or one year working in a setting with high needs students is desirable
• Oregon Driver's License, or ability to get to and from work in a timely manner and perform the essential functions of the position
• Medic First Aid Card (must be certified within the first 60 days of employment)
• Other certifications/trainings as required to execute the Essential Functions and Duties and Responsibilities of this position (i.e. blood sugar testing, bee sting, dispensing of prescription medication)
• All employees must be able to communicate in an effective manner.  Employees with English as a second language must be able to communicate their need for clarification and/or interpretation of directions.  Employee should be willing to attend English class as requested by supervisor.
• Communicate with high needs students in a manner that reflects a consistent, positive, nurturing,  attitude is required

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by and 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.

• Intervene and separate quibbling children (includes lifting to 50 pounds, running, awkward positions)
• Stand and walk in playgrounds/classrooms for one to two hours at a time
• See near and far (i.e. constant observation of students)
• Discriminate colors (i.e. teaching colors)
• Hear sufficiently to perform the duties and responsibilities (i.e. understand speech which may be difficult to understand, listening for distress signals)
• Medium lifting occurs occasionally (20-50 lbs)
• Lifting occurs frequently (0-20 lbs)
• There is occasional light to medium carrying of supplies and equipment
• Pulling/pushing occurs occasionally (i.e. wheel chair, vacuuming, open/close doors, gait trainer and stander)
• Crawling, kneeling, climbing, cramped spaces and repeated bending occurs occasionally to frequently in the course of a day (i.e. toileting, loading bus, machinery control, working on same level as student, picking up trash, assisting student in bathroom)
• Balance upper body and hand/wrist movement occur often to frequent in the course of a day (i.e. assist with student balance, coordination in movement, writing, grabbing, keyboards, reaching, stretching)
• Ability to chase children who run
• Occasional use of household cleaning type chemicals (i.e. bleach)
• Occasional use of glues
• Constant exposure to blood and body fluids (i.e. spitting, feeding, changing, biting)
• Exposure to bees, pollens, head lice may occur occasionally to frequently
• Jobs in this classification are physically active positions that perform duties both inside and outside including exposure to inclement weather.  Noise level can be normal to high. Students may demonstrate uncontrollable anger and volatile behavior and may be extremely handicapped.  Employees are frequently to constantly exposed to blood and bodily fluids including but not limited to; spitting, feeding, changing, biting, body secretions (nasal, menstrual blood, feces, urine, etc.), testing blood sugar/ketones with a diabetic child or catheterized students.

DRESS REQUIREMENTS

This dress code is not a Personal Protection Equipment statement.  PPE is addressed specifically for certain tasks and is the responsibility of the supervisor to instruction employee.  This dress code covers the personal dress of the employee in this position. All employees will wear school appropriate work dress

Below is a list of items to avoid wearing, it is not inclusive but gives the employee an idea of what types of items could cause a safety issue if worn:

• Jewelry(i.e. earrings that can be grabbed, pulled or that fingers can hook into; necklaces that hang over the clothing, bracelets that dangle can be grabbed or twisted; and rings if using equipment that could cause injury
• Dress pants and dresses should not be loose and flowing, they could become entangled in wheels or beds
• Hair should not be in styles or contain items that can be grabbed or pulled out of the hair
• Smocks or over shirts are worn and should be changed when soiled
• Shoes should be closed toed, generally clogs are not appropriate unless they have straps so they remain on the foot securely during fast or awkward movement.  Rubber soles are preferred to prevent slipping

EVALUATION

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Tigard-Tualatin School District 23J and Oregon School Employees Association Chapter 51.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a 9 month assignment on the I range of the Classified Job Schedule. The assignment of the step will be in compliance with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement and range of pay is located in the current Classified Salary Schedule.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.  While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, the administration reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign duties as necessary that still reflect the essential functions of the department.