Education Assistants - Casual

EDUCATION ASSISTANTS

Casual (On-Call)

School District No. 42 (SD42) meets the learning needs of approximately 17,000 students of all ages in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, and is defined by its determination to keep student learning and growth at the heart of all its decisions. With an annual budget of over $200M and over 2,000 staff, the school district provides K-12 educational services in 22 elementary schools, six secondary schools, and two alternate schools. It also provides a variety of certificate programs and relevant quality life-long learning opportunities through Ridge Meadows College and Continuing Education. 

SD42 is looking for qualified candidates interested in working as Casual Education Assistants in our District. The Education Assistant provides support to the classroom teacher(s) in creating inclusive schools and classrooms. The Education Assistant role will vary according to school and student needs as determined by the Principal/Vice-Principal in collaboration with the School Based/Support Team. 

Casual Education Assistants are expected to work 90 shifts per school year, an average of approximately 9-10 shifts per month. 

Responsibilities

• Provides personal care (level 1 or 2 as defined below) and administers support to students with health care needs.
• Level 1 Supports are transferable and include: oral hygiene and cleanliness of hands/face; oral feeding; dressing; toileting; diapering; assisting with walking; assisting in the operation of a wheelchair; assisting with transfers (e.g. chair to toilet, floor to chair) and positioning of student; and addressing symptoms of common illness (e.g. vomiting, coughing, diarrhea).
• Level 2 Supports are child-specific procedures based on a pre-established routine and plan for which the Education Assistant is trained and monitored by the appropriate person or health care professional. These supports include assisting with ambulation, manual lifting, transferring and positioning when specific skills are required; passive and active remedial exercise programs; application of orthotics {such as splints, braces) and prosthetics; oral feeding when precautions are required, such as against choking; emptying, changing and cleaning urinary drainage bags; chest care and postural drainage; administration of respiratory aerosols; monitoring blood sugar levels and administering of insulin; emptying ostomy bags and changing an established appliance; clean intermittent catheterization (CIC); monitoring student self-catheterizing; management of frequent and severe seizures; administration of oral and topical medication when a student has other level Il requirements; monitoring preset medication pumps; gastronomy care, feeding and/or administration of medications; nasogastric tube care; instillation of eye drops; administration of preset oxygen; changing ambulatory-dialysis bags; application of hot/cold packs; and application of therapeutic dressings.
• Supervises students on a one-to-one or small group basis in the reinforcement of academic, behaviour, life and social skills in accordance with a student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) which may include adaptations (universal or targeted supports) and/or modifications (specific supports).
• Supports students in the development of functional academic, life and social/emotional skills on and off school sites. Assists students to develop academic skills, apply self-regulation strategies, build effective work habits, and foster positive attitudes toward learning.
• Assists students with fine motor, gross motor and sensory regulation skills, activities and strategies. Supervises assigned students during unstructured time such as recess/nutrition break and lunch break. Assists teachers with supervision of assigned students during bus transportation, field trips and other off-site activities.
• Guides students through speech and language, occupational therapy and/or physical therapy programs.
• Assists in the development and implementation of augmentative alternative communication systems (AAC). Uses basic sign language or cued language communication systems and other aids for Deaf or hard of hearing students.
• Prepares, accommodates, adapts, duplicates, distributes, marks and files instructional materials for assigned students, including monitoring test situations under the direction of a teacher. Takes notes or scribes where needed for the student.
• Assists students with technology skills.
• Assists in classroom observations and anecdotal record keeping.
• Drives secondary students to and from work experience assignments. Monitors and supports work experience assignments.
• Attends meetings and implements strategies as outlined in the student's Individual Education Plan, Student Support Plan, Behaviour Support Plan, and/or Employee Safety Plan. Also attends department, staff, professional development, or school planning meetings as required.
• May orient, demonstrate and role-model the duties of an Education Assistant for practicum/job shadowing placements.
• Performs other assigned comparable duties which are within the scope of knowledge, skills and abilities required by this position.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of Grade 12 plus the Special Education Teaching Assistant program or equivalent plus successful experience working with individuals with special needs.
• Knowledge of behaviour management, conflict resolution and restraining techniques plus a variety of learning strategies and the ability to assist in modifying curriculum to suit individual student’s needs.
• May be required to have basic signing at a level appropriate to the Hearing Impaired student.
• Ability to function and communicate effectively as a member of a team in the support of complex programs requiring a high degree of courtesy, discretion and maintenance of confidentiality with a wide variety of school personnel, students and parents.
• Flexibility, patience, stamina, emotional stability and maturity to assist students with a variety of challenges to develop to their maximum potential.
• Sufficient physical strength, health and coordination to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job.
• Valid BC Driver’s license.

To apply, please submit the following documentation:

• Resume and Cover Letter,
• Copies of your certficate(s) and transcript(s),
• Copies of all your Practicum Reports - (recent graduates)

The district appreciates the interest all applicants, however, only those shortlisted will be contacted.

For more information about our School District please visit:  http://www.sd42.ca/our-district/

Our staff members are the foundation of our system. When you join our school district, you become part of a talented community of educators and support staff dedicated to enriching the lives of all students and helping them achieve success.