Cottonwood Union School District

Position Description

TITLE:  Instructional Aide/Special Education                  REPORTS TO:  Site Principal

CLASSIFICATION:  Classified                                     WORK YEAR:  School Year

BOARD APPROVAL:                                                 SALARY: 

BASIC FUNCTION:

      Instructional Aide works under the general supervision of the Site Principal.  Works under the daily direction of either a classroom teacher or a special education teacher performing a wide variety of tasks in a support role.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

? Must be energetic, congenial and exhibit initiative in performing duties aimed at achieving goals established by the classroom teacher and other staff at the site as deemed appropriate.

? Establish rapport and warm, meaningful relationships with children and support educational performance and social growth.

? Converse with children and establish an atmosphere to encourage their expression of feelings and ideas and deal effectively and constructively with such feelings and ideas.

? Participate in periodic in-service workshops and other training sessions as applicable to the position.

? Help build confidence and self-esteem in children through one-on-one and/or group interactions.

Assists with the special physical needs of students including, but not limited to, toileting, diapering, changing clothing, regularly feeding students and other limited duties that would be indicated in the IEP

Performs other duties as required.

EDUCATIONA ND EXPERIENCE:

Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) and have passed the Basic Skills Proficient Test (Aides Test) at the 70^th percentile or above on each area:  Reading, Language and Math or have 60 college units or an AA degree.  Ability to work with various age levels K-8 grade.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

A valid California driver’s license is recommended.  Ability to pass a physical exam if requested. CPR and 1^st will be required but not mandatory for applying.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

Basic child development and general signs of healthy social/emotional functioning.

Ability to:

Function as a supportive, non-threatening, non-judgmental staff member when working with students.

Set appropriate limits for behavior and employ discipline techniques when appropriate.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

PHYSICAL ABILITIES: 

Lifting and carrying moderately heavy children and objects (maximum of 15 pounds without assistance); sitting or standing for extended periods of time; hearing and speaking to communicate with children and parents; seeing to monitor children; dexterity of hands and fingers to hold children and manipulate; bending, kneeling and crawling.

HAZARDS:

Possible exposure to childhood communicable diseases.