34 District Educational Assistant Position Description Qualifications OVERVIEW The District Educational Assistant (DEA), under the general direction of the teacher and the supervision of the Principal, monitors student behaviour, provides academic assistance to students and facilitates the integration of the student in the classroom and school environment. The District Education Assistant works with students identified by the District Special Education Team. This position works with the most severe students generally in the low incidence categories or in District behaviour programs. The student(s) often exhibit aggressive, defiant, violent and/or non-compliant behaviour and has a District Safety Management Plan. Staff assigned to the District Educational Assistant position are District based and may be moved from school to school depending on student and District need. POSITION DESCRIPTION DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT EAG - 1 Facilitates student learning individually and in small groups EAG - 2 Observes and documents students' daily progress; marks objective student work and assists students with corrections EAG - 3 Assists in preparing and presenting lessons and adapting materials in an appropriate format for the individual student(s) EAG - 4 Attends Individual Education Plan (IEP) and consultative meetings with teachers, parents and therapists as feasible EAG - 5 Communicates student-related information to teacher and/or schoolbased team EAG - 6 Assists in the design, implementation and monitoring of appropriate
behaviour management or social adjustment programs EAG - 7 Supports students in learning communication skills, social behaviour and life skills as outlined in the student(s) IEP EAG - 8 Supports students in a wide variety of educational computer programs and equipment EAG - 9 Inputs and assists in maintaining student(s) records EAG 10 Maintains and organizes classroom items such as materials, supplies and equipment EAG - 11 Supervises students during recess, noon-hour or during the temporary absence of the teacher; reports incidents to the teacher or Principal EAG - 12 Assists the teacher in supervising activities such as work experience programs and physical education activities EAG - 13 Assists in organizing, conducting and supervising school activities such as field trips and other special events EAG - 14 Provides assistance to students in the case of injury or illness; performs assigned duties during fire/earthquake drills and other crisis situations DUTIES SPECIFIC TO THE DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT DEA - 1 Assists in the development of behaviour management plans by providing suggestions to the school based team and District behavioural consultant based on behavioural data, experience and knowledge of the student(s) DEA - 2 Implements the District Safety Management Plan for the student in conjunction with the school based, student specific team
DEA - 3 Monitors student(s) behaviour to ensure the safety of the student(s) and prevents student(s) from hurting self or others DEA - 4 Restrains or transports the student to a safe area as outlined in the District Safety Management Plan DEA - 5 Assists student(s) in avoiding escalations by responding with vigilance in a manner that will effectively defuse potentially increasing verbal and/or physical behaviours DEA - 6 Assists student(s) in managing their own behaviour by providing external support which may include coaching, teaching, modeling or directing the student(s) DEA 7 Charts, records, tracks and maintains data on student behaviour for behavioural analysis DEA 8 Performs reliable weight bearing transfers of students weighing up to 68 kg (150 lbs) DEA - 9 Performs other assigned comparable or transient duties, which are within the area of knowledge and skills required by this job description QUALIFICATIONS DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT EDUCATION TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Grade 12 or equivalent; First Aid, C.P.R. courses or equivalent; Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training and attends six (6) hours of Non-violent Crisis Intervention Refresher instruction/training annually; 5 day, District offered, Autism and other related disorders Course;
and, 1 year Teaching Assistant Program certificate or equivalent post secondary courses in child or adolescent development, or behaviour management EXPERIENCE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 1 year demonstrated, successful experience working with persons with extremely challenging behaviours KNOWLEDGE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Broad knowledge of computers and related educational software packages Broad knowledge of cognitive styles and abilities and support requirements for learning Extensive knowledge of conflict resolution methods Broad knowledge of inclusion and integration principles Broad knowledge of social and life skills programs Extensive knowledge of support required for behaviour management SKILLS AND ABILITIES JOB SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS Ability to support student(s) in the implementation of his/her IEP Ability to work with students with social, communication and behaviour challenges Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information Ability to understand and work with core curriculum at the appropriate grade level(s) Ability to be flexible to meet the varying academic, social, emotional and behavioural needs of students Ability to implement clearly defined limits of acceptable behaviour with patience and flexibility while maintaining a positive attitude Ability to chart and record student behaviour Ability to cope with physical and emotional demands required in working with students with extremely challenging behaviours i.e. restraining students as necessary
INTERPERSONAL REQUIREMENTS Effective written and oral communication skills including the ability to relate to students, staff, parents, professionals and other members of the public and to request and convey information in an appropriate manner Patience Ability to maintain an effective processional working relationship within a multi-disciplinary team Ability to work independently with minimal supervision PROBLEM SOLVING REQUIREMENTS Ability to supervise students in instructional and non-instructional activities Ability to determine and select an appropriate course of action within established methods, procedures and policies Ability to provide advice, guidance, instruction and directions to students Ability to apply conflict resolution skills Creativity/Innovative Organizational skills Ability to prioritize workload and manage time appropriately Ability to document and summarize information/data in an accurate manner Ability to pay close attention to detail Familiar with District Physical Restraint policy and regulation WORKING CONDITIONS OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Sufficient vision and hearing to perform related job duties Physically able to lift up to 22 kgs (50 lbs) and operate related equipment Able to perform related physical and mental activities Able to work in a highly active physical environment February 20, 2006