Program Assistant *Degree Required*

Experience and Certification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum of one year of successful experience and formal training in special education or other similar setting for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders required
• Bilingual (Spanish/English abilities a plus

Key Job Functions:

• Assist with students throughout the school day in both the classrooms and hallways, and maintain required electronic and paper documentation regarding students’ behaviors and activities within assigned deadlines
• Assist teacher with the implementation of both individual and group classroom assignments, lesson plans, and the administration of tests and examinations; take direction from the teacher regarding delegated tasks
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of academic subjects and the ability to assist students with classwork; provide coverage and carryout lesson plans for teacher during absences or when they need to be away from the classroom during the school day
• Reinforce expectations for learning and set classroom structure to encourage student participation and appropriate behavior
• Help to promote a safe, structured, creative, and engaging learning environment; assist with preparation of classroom materials, distribution of books and supplies, and other basic clerical duties
• Assist with students’ transition between classrooms, during lunch periods, during students’ arrivals and departures or other unstructured times
• Demonstrate clear and professional boundaries with all students
• Demonstrate an understanding of how our students’ disabilities impact their behavior and ability to learn; display knowledge of students’ diagnoses and adapt intervention strategies accordingly to meet the requirements of the students’ IEPs and BIPs
• Effectively manage student behavior through the implementation of the behavior management system, school rules, policies, and procedures; model appropriate behavior for the students during the school day
• Proactively identify behaviors among all students that could lead to a crisis, an unsafe situation or disrupt the learning environment; use effective behavior management techniques to address these behaviors in order to limit the severity and length of disruptions
• Proactively provide supervision of students to ensure the safety and security of the school program at all times
• Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with The Foundation Schools Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Statement and student record confidentiality procedures
• Demonstrate appropriate use of verbal de-escalation skills to manage student behaviors; utilize the behavior continuum in order to use or consider the use of the least restrictive behavioral interventions necessary; use effective, appropriate, and approved strategies during a crisis including the participation in seclusions, therapeutic holds, escorts, and student restraints when necessary; consistently, and appropriately utilize and model TACT 2 techniques or classroom behavior management strategies
• Work with teachers, therapists, school leaders, and other team members to determine the student and/or classroom needs, and adjust interventions and practices to best meet those needs; work with team to develop interventions and/or incentive plans when appropriate