Program Assistant - Portland, United States - Serendipity Center Inc

Description

Job Description

Here at Serendipity Center, we believe that children will do well if they can. However, sometimes circumstances create obstacles and challenges that make success in a traditional school setting nearly impossible. That's where we come in.

Serendipity Center is a therapeutic day school that combines Mental Health, Special Education, Wellness, and Transition Readiness supports for students who need extra time, attention, and skills practice to be successful. This model of therapeutic education advances Serendipity Center's mission of providing children the best environment to heal and become educated, productive community members.

Even with the organizational support we are able to offer, some of our students require a bit more personalized assistance. That's where you come in.

Serendipity is seeking to fill a(n) Program Assistant position. PA's provide critical 1:1 support to children needing an individualized protocol in order to experience success at school. Interested candidates must have the desire and ability to work in a collaborative team model, with a primary goal of establishing and refining the protocols that will best support the child's learning and progress. Candidates must be able to assist children with academic learning and deliver appropriate social/emotional behavioral support. Physical Management (CPI - Crisis Prevention Intervention) is required at times to maintain safety. CPI training is provided.

Because our student's experiences are diverse and complex, and because establishing trusting relationships is vital to our model, we recognize the importance and value of having a diverse team that is responsive to the needs of our students.

Do you consider yourself a mission driven person with a passion for helping children? Please submit your application today

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the classroom teacher, assists with instruction and supports the classroom team in providing academic and treatment services to students with multiple impairments (emotional, behavioral, neurological, cognitive, and/or psychiatric) who are not yet able to independently participate in their school day.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Participates with mental health and classroom staff in the creation and implementation of Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) for students that address lagging skills and replacement behaviors.
• Provides group or individualized instruction, as directed by classroom teacher, using lessons and materials developed by teacher.
• Fosters the cultivation of academic, behavioral, and social learning objectives through planning and collaboration with classroom teacher.
• Mentors Instructional Assistants through the modeling of intervention strategies that are in alignment with Collaborative Problem Solving and principles of Re-Education as part of our Integrated Intervention Model.
• Assess continually the needed level of intervention to support and facilitate the learning activities in the classroom.
• Coaches and provides skill building opportunities in alignment with student's individualized plans; documents strategies/interventions and progress in specified locations. Coaching may include active listening, advising, problem solving, intervention planning, reinforcing positive skills, role-playing, or engaging in restorative conversations.
• Maintains knowledge of each student's strengths, lagging skills, learning accommodations, goals, effective strategies, and mental health context.
• Establishes and maintains a rapport with students characterized by professional boundaries and respect; adapts interaction style for the needs of individual students.
• Protects confidentiality of information related to students and families.
• Reports to Case Manager (or designated substitute) all suspicions of potential abuse, neglect, self-harm and/or endangerment of others.
• Performs CPI approved non-violent intervention strategies to promote the best care, welfare, safety, and security for students and staff.
• In collaboration with the teacher, ensures school-wide practices are understood and implemented at the classroom level.
• Support and collaborate with the teacher in identifying classroom routines and student trends to target during Continuous Improvement Team Meetings (CITMs).

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides constant supervision of students, particularly during transitions points in the school day (e.g., skills practice, dismissal, etc.) in conjunction with other staff members.
• Instructs and directs the classroom in the absence of, or under the direction of, the teacher using plans and materials approved by the teacher, Principal, and/or SPED Coordinator.
• Participates in planning, implementation, and documentation of each student's IEP/Treatment Plan goals.
• Assists with the orientation and training of new Instructional Assistants or Instructional Assistants new to their classroom.
• Assists in the preparation of graphic and written teaching materials.
• Completes classroom behavioral tracking daily.
• Provides clerical support to teacher (e.g., organization of BSPs, progress monitoring strategies).
• Supports the teacher in the delegation of classroom responsibilities.
• Attends and participates actively in regular department and other staff meetings.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education/experience: Bachelor's degree and at least one year experience working with SPED population OR High school diploma with Para-Professional certification and at least one year experience working with special education students.
• Certification/Licenses: current CPI certification (can be obtained on the job).
• General Skills: Must be able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing. Must be able to effectively organize and prioritize work. Must be able to follow written and oral instructions. Must concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to work independently. Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Computer Skills: Proficient with email communication, Basic knowledge of word processing applications. General MS word, outlook, and data entry skills.
• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, reach, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. The employee must be able to perform physical management techniques on children to maintain safety. Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
• Other Requirements: Pass a pre-employment drug screen and Mental Health and Development Disability Services Division criminal records check.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to assault by a student. The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but occasionally may be very loud.