Special Education Instructional Assistant - 6.75 Hours/ Day - Westside Elementary School

Note: Interviews have been scheduled.

Open until filled. This is a regular position and will begin August 20, 2024, for the 2024/25 school year.

Hood River County School District offers a comprehensive benefits program, including family medical, dental and vision insurance, paid sick leave and holidays, and payment into the employee's retirement account. Check out all benefits available to Classified employees on the HRCSD website, under Business Services Department.

Application Instructions:
Current District Regular Employees and 23/24 Temporary Employees (through June 30, 2024):
Submit your interest letter in TalentEd/Recruit & Hire.

External Applicants (including Substitutes and District Coaches):
Complete an electronic TalentEd/Recruit & Hire application.
Letter of interest addressed to Ocean Kuykendall, Westside Elementary Principal;
Current resume;
Three (3) recent letters of reference or provide the names and information for three (3) professional references;
Unofficial college transcripts or passing score on the CBEST or equivalent Paraprofessional rigorous knowledge test. Official transcripts or score report will be required upon hire.
Job Purpose Statement: The job of Instructional Assistant I is done under the direct or indirect supervision of a licensed staff member and/or school administrator to support student learning and growth. The incumbent performs a variety of instructional and classroom support and student supervision duties to assist the school and the staff. Instructional support is within the framework of a licensed staff member planned and evaluated program; assists in providing a safe, healthy environment for students; and performs a variety of general clerical duties. This position will work one-on-one with a student. Employees in this classification do not supervise others.

Essential Job Functions:
Assist licensed staff in the social and educational development of students
Implement district adopted curriculum and intervention programs with licensed staff guidance. This includes preparing materials, teaching and monitoring student progress, and small group instruction
Collect data as prescribed by the licensed staff
Understand and maintain district guidelines regarding safety and confidentiality
Provide students a safe and secure environment at all times. This may include playground supervision cafeteria duty, small group management before and after school
Administer minor first aid
Provide Clerical support and simple maintenance and operation of school equipment and supplies
Prepare instructional materials related to area of assignment
Provide personal care and assistance to students for the purpose of helping them access their education which may include: toileting, personal hygiene, feeding, positioning, mobility, and delegated nursing and/or therapy services
Encourage acceptable student behavior and assist in maintaining classroom discipline. Guide and reinforce student understanding of rules and procedures
Participate in professional development activities related to assignment
Maintain a confidential, non-preferential, non-judgmental manner towards the students, staff, and department/school
Assist students by answering questions, provide proper examples, and offer general guidance
Maintain student records and files as directed
Compile student information and materials and prepare reports as requested
Assist licensed staff with phone calls of a general nature to parents
Maintain regular and predictable attendance to meet the needs of the students and the expectations of the district
Employ good judgment in a variety of situations, including emergencies
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, staff, and general public
Comprehend and follow oral and written instructions and complete work within established timelines
Confer, as needed, with licensed staff concerning programs and materials to meet student needs
Other related duties as assigned
Experience Required: Prior job related experience providing support to elementary school age children or adolescents preferred.

Education Required: Possess the equivalent of 72 quarter-credits of college coursework (equivalent to an Associate's Degree), or have passed the CBEST (California Basic Education Skills Test) or the ETS Paraprofessional Assessment. Official college transcripts or passing test results will be required, upon hire.

Skills, Knowledge and/or Abilities Required:
Skills to perform instructional activities, communicate with parents, students, staff and community, basic arithmetic calculations, operate standard office equipment, use English in verbal and written form, use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling, and perform basic clerical functions.
Knowledge of principles of child development and instructional processes.
Abilities to work as part of an instructional team and be willing to be flexible in working with a wide variety of students and tasks; sit and/or stand for prolonged periods, understand and carry out oral and written instructions, maintain confidentiality of student records, meet schedules and deadlines, read/interpret/apply rules, regulations, policies, rapidly learn methods and materials used in a variety of instructional situations. Significant physical abilities include lifting (up to 100# occasionally and 50# frequently)/reaching/handling, talking/hearing conversations, near/far visual acuity.
Bilingual ability in English/Spanish preferred.
Required testing:
Any offer of employment made by Hood River County School District to an external candidate is contingent upon satisfactory results of:
Drug screening tests for any illegal drug or substance classified in Schedules I through V under the Federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 811 to 812. This includes, but is not limited to, marijuana, mind-altering substances or narcotic drugs such as hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates, or any other illegal drug or controlled substance, except those federally recognized as legally prescribed by a physician and used as directed.
Post-offer physical abilities assessment.
Nationwide criminal history verification - a background check for any convictions directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Unless otherwise required by law, only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the applicant from employment.
Fingerprint-based nation-wide background clearance.
Compensation: The 2024/25 hourly pay range for Instructional Assistants is $17.77 to $20.80. Instructional Assistants are assigned a 188-day calendar, which includes 9 paid holidays. Employees who pass the District's Bilingual English/Spanish exam also receive a 5% per hour pay premium. Instructional Assistants who work 1:1 earn an additional 2.5% increse per hour.

HOOD RIVER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Disabled persons may contact Hood River County School District at 541/387-5016 for additional information or assistance. Speech or hearing-impaired persons may contact Hood River County School District for assistance through the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 1-800-735-2900.