JOB DESCRIPTION

Morongo Unified School District

Instructional Services

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT (SCIA)

Purpose Statement

The job of Special Circumstance Instructional Assistant (SCIA) was established for the purposes of providing support to a student with special needs with specific responsibility for assisting in the supervision and instruction of a particular student in either a special or general education classroom; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior; providing information to appropriate school personnel; assisting students in completing classroom assignments, and supporting students with unique medical, physical and/or adaptive needs. Essential Functions

• This is an itinerant position and student assignments are generated from the SELPA Office.
• SCIA would follow assigned student from grade to grade; program to program; site to site on assigned end of the district. If the assigned student leaves district, is no longer needing these supports or is out of school temporarily, the SELPA office would assign SCIA a new student or a temporary student from SCIA’s assigned end of the district or otherwise agreed upon side of the district.
• Adapts, under the direction of the supervising teacher, classroom activities, assignments and/or materials; assists in the preparation of a variety of instructional materials and learning aids geared to the instructional level of children with special needs for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives.
• Assists in the management of student behavior through the use of positive reinforcement strategies and other appropriate techniques for the purpose of maintaining a safe environment.
• Attends to the physical and health needs of children; performs first aid and specialized medical procedures for medically fragile children which may include aiding children experiencing seizures, suctioning, toileting/diapering or respiratory disorders for the purpose of maintaining the student’s physical well-being.
• Administers tests, homework, make-up work, etc. for the purpose of supporting teachers in the classroom.
• Attends meetings, professional development and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions and duties.
• Observes and monitors physically impaired students for the purpose of requesting appropriate assistance for students experiencing physical distress.
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel, and parents for the purpose of assisting in evaluating student progress.
• Implements, under the supervision of assigned teacher, planned district adopted curriculum for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts.
• Assists students as needed in learning self-care techniques, including toilet training, bathing, feeding and personal cleanliness for the purpose of advancing the student’s independence.
• Maintains or assists in maintaining an orderly, attractive, and positive learning environment for the purpose of ensuring student success in school.
• Maintains instructional materials and/or manual and electronic files/records for the purpose of ensuring availability of items; providing written reference; and/or meeting mandated requirements.
• Monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g. classroom, rest room, playground, library, hallways, bus loading zones, cafeteria, parking lots, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provides under the supervision of assigned teacher, instruction to students in a variety of individual and group activities (e.g. academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills, etc.) for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives and ensuring students success in school.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform single tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; protecting physical safety of self and others in a classroom where pupils, because of assaultive or self-abusive tendencies, could cause serious injury to themselves or others; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; understand written procedures, write routine documents, and speak clearly; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge- based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: age appropriate activities/behaviors.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods.  Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individual; work with a variety of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to change work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; maintain confidentiality; working as part of a team; and working with constant interruptions. Operates a variety of medical equipment when needed.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working with immediate supervision; providing information and/or advising others; and operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job’s functions. There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization’s services.

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing  the job's functions requires the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying,  pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing  and balancing; frequent  stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity.  Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 50% walking and 40% standing. 

The job is performed under minimal temperature variations, some hazardous conditions, and in a clean atmosphere.

Experience: Job related experience is required. None Specified.

Education: High School diploma or equivalent.

Required Testing: Pre-employment Proficiency Test (AA or 48 college level semester units may be required

Continuing Educ./Training: None Specified.

Clearances: Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance, TB Clearance

Salary Grade: Classified 18

FLSA Status: Non Exempt    Approval Date: 6/15/21