Preschool Special Needs Assistant 2024-25 - Bellevue School District

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

The position of Preschool Special Needs Assistant is done for the purpose/s of assisting and supporting all students with a focus on those with disabilities, teachers and ESAs in an assigned school, including assisting the implementation of components of Individual Education Programs (IEP's).

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY:

The Bellevue School District is committed to a diverse workforce representative of our students, one that embraces and models cultural competency as an international community.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: (These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)

• Provides for the physical, health and safety needs of students.
• Works as a team member to guide and interact with children during age/developmentally appropriate projects and activities.
• Provides social- emotional, behavioral and educational support for students with disabilities.
• Provides specially designed instruction (SDI)
• Serves as advocate and support of students with disabilities in their least restrictive environment.
• Ensures that children are auditorily and visually supervised at all times.
• Assists in maintaining a clean, organized and safe environment for children.
• Participates in and assists in center family conferences.
• Establishes rapport with family members.
• Supports students with emotional regulation challenges.
• Encourages and fosters student independence in all settings.
• Assists preschool students with daily living skills such as, but not limited to toileting, changing, tube feeding, medical assistance, etc.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to and is directly supervised by coordinator.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (positions in this class typically require):

Required:

• High school graduation or equivalent Current Child Development Associate certificate (CDA) or equivalent credential (such as Montessori Credential or completion of Military Modules),12 or more college credits in early childhood education or child development, or Associate’s (AA) Degree or higher.

Preferred:

• Experience working individually with students with diverse aptitudes and levels of achievement and with behaviorally disabled students preferred.
• Right Response Trained
• First Aid CPR certification required for position

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (positions in this class typically require):

• Registered in the MERIT (Department of Early Learning) System; including a valid portable background; and ongoing STAR training
• Additional requirements for ECEAP may include; completion of staff qualifications application in MERIT; food handlers permit;
• Valid TB test
• MMR vaccine

KNOWLEDGE OF: (position requirements at entry):

• Child development and behavior.
• Reading, writing and arithmetic.
• Behavior modification programs, including restraint techniques.
• Adaptive technologic equipment.
• Non-violent crisis intervention.
• Computer use and a variety of software programs.
• Physical therapy techniques and procedures.
• De-escalation strategies.
• Functional life skills.
• Safety procedures for students.
• Proper lifting techniques.
• Safety procedures for students.

SKILLS (position requirements at entry):

• Oral and written communication.
• Work with students in a warm and confident manner.
• Work effectively as member of a team.
• Follow directions.
• Model and monitor appropriate student behavior.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect between students, parents and teachers.
• Maintain positive relationships with students, staff, parents and the public.
• Nasal and gastrostomy tube feeding.
• Positioning and range of motion exercises.
• Toileting and changing students.
• Seizure care.
• Physical restraint of severely behaviorally disabled students.
• Meet and maintain punctuality and attendance expectations.
• Performs all duties in accordance with all applicable Board policies and district and legal requirements.
• Perform all physical activities and meet all physical requirements indicated in section above.
• Demonstrates multicultural sensitivity with the ability to effectively and collaboratively work with diverse populations
• Ability to perform all duties in accordance with all applicable Board policies and district and legal requirements
• Ability to meet and maintain punctuality and attendance expectations

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Positions in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of forces constantly to move objects.

Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, odors, chemicals, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and intense noises. May work outdoors in inclement weather. May require physical mobility to move through a school campus, including up and down stairs and inside and outside.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This is a general posting for one or more Preschool Special Needs Assistant positions. Positions may be full or part-time and will be filled as specific openings are identified.

AISP pay step D $ 29.62 per hour based on negotiated collective bargaining agreement. Medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life-insurance eligibility is based upon 630 hours worked within a school year. Retirement provided through Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.

NOTE:

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed. The successful candidate for this position must be fingerprinted. Employment is contingent upon clearance by Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination:
Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or phamn@bsd405.org

Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment:
Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org

Disability Discrimination:
Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Heather Edlund, (425) 456-4156 or edlundh@bsd405.org

Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.