LEAP (Learning, Essential Competencies, Adapted Curriculum and Practical Life Skills) Instructional Assistant 

Designed for students with significant intellectual disabilities who require an adapted curriculum in order to develop functional academics along with skills that they will need in everyday life across the domains of vocation, community, leisure/recreation, and domestic. Provides intensive individualized instruction across the five domains with emphasis adjusting based on age. 

Essential Functions

• Assists students, individually or in groups, with developmental and pre-academic needs. 
• Supports special education students in the general education environment
• Collects data on IEP goals and progress as directed by the classroom teacher or case manager. 
• Implements, under the supervision of a classroom teacher, instructional programs and lesson plans for the purpose of assisting the teacher in improving students’ success
• Communicates with students using multiple approaches including repetition, and using verbal and visual tools (pictures/symbols, objects, a communication board, words, signs) 
• Provides and supports student’s use of accommodations for physical, language, and developmental disabilities. 
• Maintains classroom equipment, work area, students files/records for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and/or providing reliable information.
• Monitors students (e.g. classroom, library, lunch room, playground, field trips, hallways, to/from bus, etc.) for the purpose of identifying required assistance, reinforcing appropriate behavior and social skills, and ensuring a safe and positive learning environment.
• Performs record keeping and general clerical functions for the purpose of supporting the teacher and/or in providing necessary records/materials.
• After appropriate training, support students with basic toileting, medical needs and physical needs. 
• After appropriate training, support students with behavioral and emotional needs. Works to de-escalate students using appropriate and respectful techniques. Reliably documents incidents. 

Other Functions

• Attends meetings and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.

Job Requirements:  Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

             SKILLS are required to perform multiple, non-technical tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.  Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

             KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.  Specific knowledge required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job includes: age/ability appropriate activities; concepts of grammar and punctuation; and safety practices and procedures.

             ABILITY is required to schedule activities; gather and/or collate data; and use job related equipment.  Flexibility is required to work with others; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods.  Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize job-related equipment. In working with others, 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 abilities required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; working as part of a team; and working with constant interruptions.

Continuing Educ./Training                                                           Clearances

Must have completed at least 60 hours                      Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background clearance

of college credit or earned an associates

or higher degree or successfully passed

the ParaPro Assessment (Virginia qualifying

score of 455)

Responsibility

Responsibilities include:  working under direct supervision using standardized routines; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; and operating within a defined budget.  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 require the following physical demands:  occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity; hygiene related tasks for preschool students with disabilities. The job is performed under some hazardous conditions and in a clean atmosphere.

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt