Casual Education Assistant

We acknowledge that the Abbotsford School District is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Semá:th First Nation and Máthxwi First Nation. With this, we respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have to this land, as they are the original caretakers.

Why Abbotsford?

Located under an hour from Vancouver, the Abbotsford School District is settled in the heart of the beautiful Fraser Valley and surrounded by spectacular mountain views.

Learn more about the Abbotsford community:  tourismabbotsford.ca //  thefraservalley

Why the Abbotsford School District?

Every day, in every classroom and office at Abbotsford School District, our employees provide a world-class, innovative educational experience for over 21,000 students. We provide a workplace that fosters creativity, inspires excellence, and challenges everyone to embrace growth.

Working in public education is both challenging and rewarding, but at the Abbotsford School District we truly believe that every one of our employees has the opportunity to help children learn, grow, and succeed.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Under the general direction of the Principal, and with the supervision of the classroom teacher, the Educational Assistant works in an integrated setting to aid and support special needs students in accomplishing their IEP (individual education plan) objectives by ensuring a safe learning environment, reinforcing social protocols, promoting personal health and hygiene as required and in accordance with established policies and procedures, and providing academic support as required.  The needs of students include a range of learning and physical disabilities, mental illnesses, and/or complex disabilities.

The overall goal of the Educational Assistant is to aid students in achieving their IEP goals and encourage their personal level of independence in a professional and courteous manner.

The job involves maintaining confidentiality in all matters of the school district and current, proficient knowledge of the documentation practices, detailed procedures, School District Policies and Ministry of Education Legislation.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Ensuring a safe learning environment for all students by avoiding triggers that may escalate special needs students’ inappropriate behaviours and implementing recognized behaviour management techniques.
• Providing positive behaviour support and utilizing communication skills to diffuse escalated behaviours (e.g.:defiance, emotional outbursts, disengagement, etc.), reporting any extreme or unusual incidents to the supervisor.
• Providing academic support by: working with special needs students one-on-one and/or in small groups, reinforcing the concepts of the lesson at hand, and adapting learning materials as required.
• Monitoring student progress and providing daily or weekly updates to the teacher.
• Participating in IEP meetings with teachers, parents, and other parties such as psychologists and/or therapists upon request.Providing general classroom support by collaborating with the teacher to oversee the progress of other students in the integrated setting.
• Providing social guidance by: reinforcing appropriate behaviours for social interaction; assisting with social integration in the classroom as well as during recess and lunch periods as appropriate; implementing and monitoring behaviour management programs which includes observation, data-keeping, and follow-up; and discussing student progress and adaption requirements with the teacher.
• Promoting personal health and hygiene by: assisting with toileting, feeding, and general cleanliness; assisting with the administration of student medication as indicated on medical forms, under the teachers’ supervision, as required; ensuring students adhere to medical routines and/or special diets; and performing physiotherapy and/or speech therapy as instructed by Occupational Therapists (OT) and Speech Language Pathologists (SLP).
• Assisting in administering minor first aid to students—e.g.: applying bandages and dispensing ice packs.
• Ensuring the safe and orderly storage of special equipment and supplies.
• Participating in staff meetings as requested and performing all such other duties as may be assigned by the Principal or designate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS:

This position requires a relatively equal balance of standing/walking and sitting to accommodate students’ needs.  Incumbents may be required to briskly walk on occasion and physically assist students using lifts and transfers. Incumbents may expect to be exposed to aggressive incidents from students (e.g.:  biting, hitting, spitting), and bodily fluids.  

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Grade 12 diploma, or equivalent, supplemented by graduation from an Education Assistant Program of 1 year and up to 2 years or equivalent from a recognized post-secondary program, current CPI (Crisis, Prevention, and Intervention) certification. A minimum of 1 year of recent related work experience with special needs students. A valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License. As well, incumbents also require the following:

• Proven ability to use Microsoft Office programs, internet and internet-based programs, with the ability to learn other software programs;
• Proven ability to determine, judge and select appropriate courses of action in accordance with established policies and procedures;
• Understanding and awareness of cultural diversity;
• Proven ability to multi-task, prioritize, self-motivate, and meet deadlines;
• Proven ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and to provide service and relationship to the public and School District in a professional, respectful, positive and courteous manner;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain positive, effective work relationships in a team environment at all times;
• Proven ability to use tact and discretion and maintain confidentiality in matters pertaining to the School District;
• Working knowledge of WHMIS and WorkSafe BC occupational health and safety regulations and the demonstrated ability to work in a manner that recognizes personal safety and the safety of others;
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable and resilient to change;
• Ability to explain complex or simple instructions or information clearly to others;
• Working knowledge of the district child abuse protocol and reporting procedures;
• Demonstrated willingness to participate in professional development opportunities as provided by the district;
• Ability to provide educational support in academic subjects as per school level (i.e.:elementary, middle, and/or secondary);
• Working knowledge of various electronics used for educational purposes (e.g.:tablets, speech recognition programs, audio and visual equipment);
• Working knowledge of reading and writing software programs (e.g.:Kurzweil, Boardmaker);
• Ability to effectively interact and establish positive rapport with students;
• Experience in, or willingness to learn, scribing techniques;
• Ability to use office equipment (e.g.:printer, photocopier) at a basic level;
• Level 1 First Aid certification is an asset;
• POPARD (Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders) training is an asset
• Experience supporting special needs at the secondary school level is an asset;
• Sufficient physical capabilities, stamina and coordination to perform the duties of the position to the required standard.