Instructional Assistant II - Special Ed

  • Berkeley Unified School District
  • Berkeley, California
  • Mar 05, 2024
Full Time Clerical and Administrative Support Education and Training Human and Social Services Non-Management
  • Apply By: Dec 28, 2022

Summary

Would you like to make a difference in the lives of children? Perhaps you know of a child whose life was positively impacted by an instructional aide. If so, please consider applying to be an Instructional Assistant for Berkeley Public Schools.

You will get to participate in assisting with small groups or individual instruction among other duties. You can be a part of fostering a nurturing environment for kids to flourish.

Come be a part of this rewarding experience.

Job Description

Under the direction of a certificated administrator, assist certificated teachers and/or other service providers in reinforcing instruction to individual or small groups of students with special needs; assist in providing learning activities and meeting the special needs of assigned students in areas related to feeding, toileting, positioning, hygiene, motor skills, sensory and physical therapy functions; monitor health conditions. Assist in the preparation of instructional materials and implementation of Individual Education Programs; provide routine clerical duties in support of the educational program.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:


• Assist instructional staff and/or other service providers in reinforcing instruction to individual or small groups of students classified with mild to moderate or moderate to severe learning and/or emotional disabilities in a classroom or other learning environment; monitor and reinforce student drills, practices and assignments in various subjects; assist with the implementation of Individual Education Programs
• Monitor student health conditions; respond to seizures, respiratory problems and other medical emergencies according to District protocols; prepare related paperwork as appropriate; notify appropriate staff of student health conditions and progress
• Observe, monitor and redirect behavior of students in accordance with grade level, student's ability to understand discipline and approved procedures; utilize approved techniques for responding to students whose behavior may escalate to self-injurious or physically aggressive acts, including spitting, pinching, biting, hair-pulling, kicking and hitting; collect data and monitor progress
• Assist students in completing classroom assignments, homework and projects in various subject areas; ensure student understanding of classroom rules and procedures; assist students by answering questions, providing proper examples, emotional support, positive attitude and general guidance; confer with instructional staff and/or other service providers concerning adapting lesson plans and materials to meet student needs
• Assist students with personal hygiene including bathing, brushing teeth and grooming as required; assist students with eating activities; toilet students and change diapers and soiled clothing as required
• Monitor and assist students with activities to develop small muscle and eye-hand coordination; assist students in learning gross motor skills such as walking, jumping and climbing; assist students in learning fine motor skills such as reaching, grabbing, folding, cutting and writing
• Perform routine clerical duties in support of educational activities such as preparing, typing, duplicating and filing instructional materials; distribute and collect student assignments, documents and various forms Reinforce concepts and ensure student understanding of assignments and homework instructions; reinforce vocabulary and concepts as necessary; assist students with meeting individual education goals and objectives; collect data and report progress regarding student performance and behavior
• Observe and redirect behavior of students according to approved procedures; monitor and interact with students during outdoor, physical education and other recreational activities as directed; develop incentives as positive reinforcement; reinforce behavior modification techniques determined by the teacher
• Assist with maintaining student records and files related to progress, behavior and assigned activities; prepare mandated time accounting reports and documentation as required; collect data and monitor student progress
• Assist students to perform and develop independent living and self-help skills such as shopping, counting money, cleaning and related activities as assigned; assist students to develop social, vocational and job searching skills as assigned
• Read books to students and observe their reading abilities; assist students with letter and word pronunciation and recognition; assist students with assignments such as reading, writing and mathematics
• Escort students during the regular duty day as assigned to and from designated locations; accompany students on fieldtrips, recreational therapy activities, social events and during outdoor activities; may accompany students to District-sponsored events or recreational functions
• Assist in maintaining the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures
• Assist in maintaining a learning environment in a safe, orderly and clean manner; provide classroom support by setting up work areas and displays and distributing and collecting paper, supplies and materials
• Maintain confidentiality of student information in accordance with state and federal mandates
• Operate a variety of office and classroom equipment including a copier, computer and software as appropriate
• Communicate with faculty, staff, administrators and others to exchange information and resolve issues or concerns; answer telephone calls, take messages and provide general class and student information as assigned
• Respond to student medical emergencies according to District protocol and prepare related paperwork as appropriate

Job Requirements

KNOWLEDGE OF:

 

  • Guidance principles and practices related to students with special needs
  • Basic subjects taught in local schools, including basic and advanced arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language, history, science and reading
  • Basic instructional methods and techniques
  • Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary
  • Challenges and concerns of students with special needs
  • Classroom procedures and appropriate student conduct
  • Safe practices in classroom and playground activities
  • Operation of standard office and classroom equipment including a computer
  • Oral and written communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and professionalism
  • Basic record-keeping and report preparation techniques
  • Serving students with disabilities in full-inclusion settings

ABILITY TO:

 

  • Assist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment
  • Reinforce instruction to individual or small groups of students with special needs
  • Assist in the preparation of instructional materials in support of Individual Education Programs
  • Perform routine clerical duties including keyboarding, filing and duplicating materials
  • Understand and relate to students with special needs
  • Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
  • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
  • Demonstrate an understanding, patient and receptive attitude toward students with special needs
  • Read books to students and assist with reading and writing activities
  • Collect data, monitor, observe and report student behavior and progress
  • Understand and follow oral and written instructions
  • Operate standard office and classroom equipment including a computer
  • Observe health and safety regulations
  • Prepare routine reports

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:


Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and one year experience working with students with special needs in an organized setting

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:


Valid first aid and CPR certificates issued by authorized agency preferred
Incumbents must meet requirements specified under the No Child Left Behind Act
Some incumbents in this classification may be required to speak, read and write in a designated second language

ENVIRONMENT:


Classroom and other indoor and outdoor learning environments

Special Instructions

EXAMINATION INFORMATION:

This is an open and continuous recruitment. This recruitment will have a cut-off date every 90 days.
Cutoff dates for this recruitment will take place yearly on:
March 1, June 1, Sep 1, Dec 1


The first step in the examination process is the application screening and whether or not the candidate meets the minimum qualifications listed. Applicants invited to advance in this recruitment will be scheduled to take the first test soon after the cutoff date.


The testing process may consist of a written exam; an oral exam; a performance exam; a structured interview (SI); a qualification appraisal interview (QAI); an evaluation of training & experience/education (T&E) and/or any combination thereof.


All tests will have a passing score set between 50 and 99 depending of a variety of factors affecting that specific recruitment.
All candidates must pass the first examination process to be invited to the next step/test in the process.
As the testing process consists of a minimum of two examination processes; the weight of each those processes may be determined at any step in the processes.
Qualified candidates will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination(s)/test(s).
Candidates will be notified of the minimum pass points/test score for each examination and/or test in the examination process.


OTHER:

Proof of identification for completion of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be submitted at the time of processing for employment.


SALARIES:

All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown in the posting and increases are granted at intervals based on the anniversary date.


Notification of Non-Discrimination Policy


The Berkeley Unified School District is committed to fostering a positive working environment for its employees. Accordingly, BUSD practices shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying of any employee based on an employee's actual race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
The Board also prohibits retaliation against any district employee or job applicant who complains, testifies or in any way participates in the district's complaint procedures instituted pursuant to this policy.
The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination regarding Board Policy 4030:

 

 

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:


Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate standard office and classroom equipment
Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
Bending at the waist and/or kneeling to assist students
Lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling students weighing up to 50 pounds and with assistance for over 50 pounds
Seeing to read a variety of materials and monitor student activities
Hearing and speaking to exchange information


HAZARDS:


Contact with dissatisfied, assaultive or abusive individuals
Potential physical hazards involved in intervening in fights and other anti-social, and violent behaviors
Exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious diseases

Job Address

Berkeley, California United States View Map