Special Programs Assistant (Life Skills) - SPA II 

POSITION TYPE: Classified
START DATE:  ASAP
WORK DAYS: 185 if work begins in August
PAY: for the 2024-25 school year, $17.18 - 21.76, depending on experience and education level. We also pay your PERS retirement contribution

Sublimity School is looking for a highly qualified, energetic, positive team player to work in our Life Skills classroom. Our mission is to help students reach their full potential and become productive citizens, and we seek to hire quality individuals committed to ensuring an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. The schedule for this position will be Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m - 3:00 p.m. 

About Us
Sublimity School is a unique K-8 school located approximately 20 minutes east of Salem, Oregon. While our students often perform well on standardized tests and other academic measurements, our main goal is to help them perform well in life. We are fortunate to have the support of a very involved community, which is often reflected by our PTC's involvement and financial support. Our staff believes in setting high expectations for students, taking time to create intentional relationships within our community, and mentoring each other.

The Life Skills classroom located at Sublimity School serves the needs of students throughout the North Santiam School Distict in grades 4-8 with moderate to severe disabilities.  

Under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher or administrator, the Special Programs Assistant II provides support services to special needs students in the Life Skills classroom at Sublimity School. This classroom serves students in grades 4-8 with moderate to severe disabilities. 

 Distinguishing Characteristics:

Positions assigned to the Special Programs Assistant II classification are distinguished by the responsibility to provide, under teacher supervision, direct instruction and support to students with moderate to severe disabilities and assist with the development of teaching materials.

Essential Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to fulfill each requirement satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/ or ability needed for the position.

  At the time of hire, candidates must qualify by having met at least one of the following requirements: 

• Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education
• Obtain an Associate’s Degree or higher; or 
• Demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, the knowledge of and ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and mathematics or the instruction in readiness for these subjects. 

Experience working with special needs students preferred.  

• 18 years of age or older
• Ability to work harmoniously with others and to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) with students, parents, and staff
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of students and their records
• Ability to supervise individual or groups of student(s) in an instructional setting without constant teacher oversight; work in a team situation
• Ability to work with students who may exhibit aggressive behavior, as required of specific job assignment
• Ability to work with students who require attention to basic feeding and personal hygiene needs, as required by specific job assignment
• Demonstrate standards of moral character and behavior to serve as an effective role model for students
• Understand basic provision of IDEA, due process procedures, and the IEPs for children identified as disabled, as required by specific job assignment
• Demonstrate a positive attitude in working with children with special needs
• Knowledge of business English, spelling, math, office practices and procedures, and computer skills
• Ability to direct and respond appropriately to students
• Ability to work effectively in an environment that can be both physically and emotionally fatiguing; perform physically demanding requirements of the job
• In an ESL/ migratory position, as specified by the administrator, ability to be bilingual in Spanish, English, or other languages (speak, read, and write)
• Ability to deliver instructional programs to students who have learning and physical disabilities and/ or social behavior problems, as required by specific job assignments
• Perform physical requirements, which may include:

              A. High level of degree of physical stamina and frequent lifting up to 50 lbs.

              B. Frequent standing, walking, and bending

              C. Physically restraining students as needed, utilizing training procedures

              D. Possible exposure to bodily fluids in assisting students with using restrooms and ?when tending to injury and illness

• Such alternatives to the above requirements as the School Board or Administration may deem appropriate and acceptable

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1.     Assist special education teaching staff with implementing individualized education plan (IEP). Participate as a member of the IEP team as requested and attend IEP meetings as a member of the team when required, as required by specific job assignments.
2.     Assist special education teaching staff responsible for writing, reviewing, updating, implementing, and evaluating instructional programs, as required by specific job assignments.
3.     Assist special education teaching staff responsible for preparation, implementation, and evaluation of individual and group behavioral programs, as required by specific job assignments.
4.     Assist special education teaching staff in communicating with teachers and parents on student’s progress, as required by specific job assignments.
5.     Assist with recordkeeping to monitor students’ daily and monthly data on instructional and behavioral progress, as required by specific job assignments.
6.     Assist with physical management of disabled student(s), including lifting, moving, positioning, feeding, diapering/toileting, and personal hygiene, as required by specific job assignments.  Additional nurse-directed procedures may be assigned.
7.     Assist classroom teachers in diagnostic testing and reporting.
8.     Provide remedial instruction as requested.
9.     Prepare and teach a unit of instruction under the supervision of a teacher.
10.  Perform clerical duties such as typing, computer entry, duplicating, and recordkeeping.
11.  Provide supervision of student(s) in buildings or other school areas and school-related activities (i.e., hall duty, at assemblies, in lunch and playground areas, or with school buses as required).
12.  Assist the classroom teacher in maintaining class and student records.
13.  Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students and staff.
14.  Participate in in-service programs as assigned.
15.  Act as a friendly ambassador of the NorthSantiamSchool District
16.  Perform such other tasks (which may require knowledge of other job descriptions) as deemed appropriate to the Board or Administration.

Working Conditions:

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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Other:

1.     Valid First Aid card as required
2.     HQ Paraprofessional
3.     Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance
4.     Bloodborne Pathogen Training/ Hepatitis B Shot Series Training as required