Title: Special Education Aide (1:1) - Pressley Ridge School for Autism (Pittsburgh, PA)
Job Category: Education
Requisition Number: SPECI004241
Job Type: Full-Time
Pittsburgh, PA, 15214, United States

Description

Be the change you wish to see in the world! Come join our team to empower children and families in our communities to transform their lives and develop to their full potential.

Pressley Ridge Benefits

The well-being of our employees and their families is important to us. At Pressley Ridge, we strive to provide the most competitive and comprehensive employee benefit programs that are affordable and help you and your family achieve and maintain your best possible health.

• Medical coverage available with a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer match
• Prescription coverage
• Dental and vision plans
• Patient advocate and Medicare specialists available at no cost
• Dependent Care Flexible Savings Account
• Wellness incentive (up to $250)
• 403b with employer give/match
• Free life insurance and AD&D
• Paid sick time (up to 15 days)
• Paid holidays including a birthday holiday
• Tuition reimbursement (if applicable)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Position Summary

The Special Education Aide (SEA) assists the teaching staff in assuring the effective implementation of the individual education and behavioral plans of a student. This position is assigned to a student rather than building wide or classroom wide support.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Quality Educational Programming
   1. Integrate experiential education into student’s daily programming.
   2. Adapting program as designed by the special education teacher/ behavior health specialist.
   3. Implement and monitor behavior/academic contracts and/or interventions designed by the team.
   4. Assist assigned student in working through their daily lesson plans as prepared by the teacher.
   5. Assist assigned student in participating in daily routine activities.
   6. Assist assigned student in participating in recreational activities.
   7. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity.
2. Communication
   1. Maintain daily communication with team members regarding student programming and progress.
3. Documentation
   1. Maintain written records as required.
   2. Complete daily ACCESS notes.
   3. Utilize technology through electronic documentation, electronic communication, and use of the internet to supplement programming.
4. Supervision
   1. Receive supervision.
      1. Receive supervision from and actively communicate with supervisor on an ongoing basis throughout the week by phone, email, written message and when possible, in person regarding program matters.
5. Leadership
   1. Always maintain visual and auditory contact with the student during the school day unless otherwise arranged with staff.
6. Risk Management and Safety
   1. Follow designated program policy regarding the documentation of critical incidents (such as physical injury or illness, property damage, runaway, student search for drugs or weapons, physical intervention and so on).
   2. Follow program-designated procedures for all physical contact with the student.
   3. Follow program-designated procedures for student illness and injury, including arranging necessary medical care – (with appropriate approval) – informing appropriate persons of the situation, and documenting the injury/illness and actions taken.
   4. According to a designated schedule, supervise the student’s arrival and departure to school via buses and cabs.
   5. When arranged with staff, assist other staff, as needed, in physical interventions to protect students and staff from injury.
   6. When transporting students, maintain safe driving procedures as indicated in the transportation policy.

Qualifications

1. Education/Credentials/Licensure:
   1. Requires high school diploma or equivalent.
   2. Requires proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) within two (2) years of employment for the School for the Deaf.
   3. Requires a valid state driver’s license, safe driving record, and current auto insurance for positions in all schools except School for the Deaf and School for Autism.
2. Experience:
   1. Requires experience working with children.
3. Clearances Required by Applicable Regulations:
   1. State Police
   2. FBI
   3. Child Abuse Clearances
   4. Mandated Reporter-Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse training certificate and/or statement
      
      

Working Conditions

1. Physical Demands:
   1. This position requires operating a keypad device 25% of the day and electronic/office equipment 25% of the day. Works in weather conditions about 25% of the day. Fingers, thumbs, hands, wrists, elbows, legs and feet are all routinely used throughout the day. The lower and upper torso is used 75% of the day. Employee must meet minimum requirements for hearing, speech, and vision. For positions in the School for the Deaf, hearing and speech are not required but ASL proficiency is (see qualifications above). Walking is required 75% of the day. Standing occurs 75% of the day. Sitting happens 25% of the day. Reaching above the shoulder as well as bending and twisting are performed 50% of the day. This function routinely lifts 10 pounds, 5 times per day. The maximum lift is over 50 pounds, 1 time per day. The position requires the ability to implement physical interventions and meet the physical demands of TCI. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
2. Mental Demands:
   1. Continually handles distractions that interfere.
   2. Frequently performs multiple tasks.
   3. Occasionally has needs to make quick decisions, concentrate, and handle diversity of problems.
3. Environmental Factors:
   1. Environmental demands require this position in schools and in the community.
4. Working Hours:
   1. Hours dependent on school schedule. Flexibility to meet student needs.
   2. PRSD is on a 12-month schedule. PRSA and Day Schools are on a 10-month/ school year schedule.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.