STEPS Plus Educational Assistant
The Southern Oregon Education Service District is seeking a confident and collaborative Educational Assistant to join its dynamic classroom team. The STEPS Plus program offered by Southern Oregon Education Service District (SOESD) is an exceptional, specialized educational program that serves students from ages 5 – 18 who experience multiple, significant disabilities along with cognitive deficits, and/or life-impacting medical conditions. Highly regarded throughout the region for its successful delivery of instruction and support for students who present the most difficult and challenging behaviors, the program enrolls students from districts throughout Southern Oregon. Cooperation and collaboration among staff are paramount to the team approach in the classroom, which is built on fidelity to safe and consistent systems and routines, as well as trust and respectful communication between all members of the STEPS Plus team. This attitude is passed onto students who are treated with dignity and respect as they are taught new ways of communicating and self-regulating their behaviors. If you have experience and/or a desire to work with challenging students in a positive setting, please consider joining our team!
Note: OAR 333-019-1030 Proof of COVID full vaccination status or approved OHA exception is require for this position.
Position Goal:
The goal of this position is to support students with multiple and severe disabilities and significant behavioral challenges by developing and implementing unique behavior management techniques, communication strategies, and specialized learning techniques, so these students can develop increased behavior self-regulation and return to a less restrictive setting.
Level of Responsibility/Supervision:
Employees in this position are responsible for implementation of curriculum, data collection, and behavior interventions, under both direct and indirect supervision by teachers and specialists. They are also responsible for recording attendance and for completion of ongoing job trainings in the areas of speech and language, physical and occupational therapy, delegated medical procedures, and behavioral intervention techniques. Assistants are responsible for working independently and providing 1:1 interventions for students who exhibit maladaptive behaviors. Employees’ work will be reviewed on a regular basis by observation and individual and group feedback to ensure satisfactory performance and conformance to agency policies and procedures.
Duties and responsibilities:
Assist in caring for student’s needs, including toileting, feeding, and physically supporting children as needed.
Participate as an effective team member across all settings in a manner that promotes collaboration for student success by carrying out team decisions, contributing relevant information, and planning, problem-solving, and decision making on a daily basis.
Assist in educating students in accordance with students’ IEP goals by using a variety of learning techniques, communication strategies, and behavior intervention techniques.
Be familiar with and follow guidelines of students’ Behavior Support plan and Crisis Intervention Plan; provide input to students’ Functional Behavioral Assessment.
Provide immediate physical support in helping to transport or restrain students for as long as needed when they become violent to themselves or others, in accordance to approved SOESD-training.
During a crisis or aggressive incident, assistants not handling the behavior should be able to quickly adapt to provide necessary support to other students and secure the classroom.
Supervising and applying behavior intervention with students and diligently tracking all behaviors in a manner requested by the teachers and specialists as per approved agency policies and classroom procedures.
Comply with ESD rules and policies.
Perform physical requirements unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation (see reverse).
Perform job-related tasks as designated by supervisor.
Minimum Prerequisites:
High School diploma or equivalent
Ability to obtain a CPR and First Aid training certification.
Ability to learn and follow delegated medical procedures.
A valid Oregon driver’s license.
Ability to pass a physical fitness test, as designated by SOESD, subject to retesting if physical requirements are not satisfactorily performed.
Ability to read and follow a detailed schedule independently.
Positive, flexible attitude.
Physical stamina and general good health needed for frequent exposure to physical injury from aggressive behavior and potential exposure to communicable diseases.
Ability to independently problem solve potentially volatile situations quickly, effectively, and safely.
Demonstrated effective communication skills, teamwork, and professionalism.
Length of Position: 190 Day School Year calendar
Pay Range: Southern Oregon ESD Classified Hourly Compensation Schedule 21-22 $14.89 - $20.41
Immediate Supervisor: Program Administrator
SOESD Benefits: (For .50 FTE and Over)
Southern Oregon ESD contributes payments for health, dental and vision insurance premiums for qualified employees. Employer-paid PERS, 9 paid holidays, a generous sick, vacation and discretionary (personal) leave packet is also provided to qualified employees.
Health Insurance:
MODA
Includes medical, dental, vision & prescription insurance
Monthly premium deducted pre-tax
Southern Oregon ESD contributes up to $2003.00 per month (family coverage)
Options:
Health Savings Accounts for high deductible plans
Flexible Spending Accounts – medical, day-care expenses Optional Coverage for Additional Life, AD&D, Short Term Disability Insurance through Aflac or American Fidelity403(b) through Carruth Compliance Consulting
American Fidelity
Mercy Flights Membership
Retirement:
PERS - Public Employee Retirement System
Southern Oregon ESD pays the 6% employee contribution on behalf of each employee
pers.state.or.us
The following physical requirements are essential functions of the Early Intervention Teaching Associate:
1. Stand/Walk:...................... X None 1-4 Hrs/Day 4-6 Hrs/Day 6-8 Hrs/Day
2. Sit: .....................................X None 1-4Hrs/Day 4-6 Hrs/Day 6-8 Hrs/Day
3. Drive:..................................X None 1-4 Hrs/Day X 4-6 Hrs/Day 6-8 Hrs/Day
4. Bending:.............................X Frequently Occasionally Limited Not At All
5. Squat:.................................X Frequently Occasionally Limited Not At All
6. Climb Stairs:.......................X Frequently X Occasionally Limited Not At All
7. Single Grasping:................ X Frequently Occasionally Limied Not At All
8. Pushing:.............................X Frequently Occasionally Limited Not At All
9. Pulling: ..............................X Frequently Occasionally Limited Not At All
10. Fine Manipulation:............X Frequently Occasionally Limited Not At All
11. Repetitive Foot Controls:..X . Frequently Occasionally X Limited Not At All
12. Lifting (less than 25 lbs):..X Frequently Occasionally Limited Not At All
13. Lifting (25-50 lbs): ...........X Frequently Occasionally Limited Not At All
14. Lifting (50-75 lbs:) ...........X Frequently X Occasionally Limited X Not At All
15. Lifting (75-100 lbs): .........X . Frequently X Occasionally Limited X Not At All
