Instructional Assistant-Visual Impairment

This is an open recruitment to establish an eligibility list to fill the current vacant positions for the 2025 - 2026 school year.

The eligibility list will be used to fill any vacancies which may occur within a period of one year, or until depleted. Vacancies in this classification work from 6 hours per day, 8am - 2:30 pm, 204 days per school year.

The recruitment process will consist of a training and experience evaluation and a structured interview,

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under the direction of an assigned administrator, assist certificated staff in reinforcing instruction to individual or small groups of special education students with severe physical and/or cognitive disabilities and visual impairments in a classroom setting, job site and/or community based program; assist students with daily living activities and developing behavioral skills; provide students with access to environmental information usually gained through vision;

and perform a variety of instructional support activities to assist students in learning curriculum.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Assist certificated staff by providing benchmark (grade level), strategic, and/or intensive academic support to individuals or small groups of special education students in a classroom setting, job site and/or community based program; confer with certificated staff concerning lesson plans and site materials to meet student needs; assist with the implementation of lesson plans and instructional activities; observe and track academic progress and behavior of students and provide updates to assigned teacher.

Facilitate the access of environmental information usually gained through vision that is unavailable or incomplete to visually impaired students; promote the development and/or use of receptive and expressive communication skills by visually impaired students.

Adapt instructional materials for use by visually impaired students; transcribe printed materials and oral instruction into Braille; overwrite Braille materials into print; utilize specialized assistive technology equipment and Braille software designed for students with visual impairments.

Monitor and assist visually impaired students at varying levels of ability with completing assignments and educational activities; explain and ensure student understanding of classroom assignments and homework instructions; administer and monitor students during tests.

Observe and control behavior of visually impaired students in the classroom according to approved procedures; enforce appropriate student behavior and ensure student understanding of classroom rules; monitor students during outdoor activities, recess, eating, field trips, job site visits and various other activities as assigned; assist students by answering questions and by providing proper examples and behavioral guidance.

Assist visually impaired students with performing and developing daily living and behavioral skills; assist students with eating activities, including tube feeding as needed; toilet students and change diapers and soiled clothing of students at all age levels (i.e. ages 3 to 22) as needed; assist students with personal hygiene such as bathing and grooming; assist with lifting and moving students.

Assist certificated staff in the implementation of Individualized Education Plans (I.E.P.) by assisting visually impaired students with meeting IEP goals and objectives, monitoring student progress, and adapting, accommodating and modifying classroom and homework assignments to meet individual student needs and reinforce learning activities.

Accompany and assist visually impaired students in mainstreamed classes as assigned without disrupting classroom activities; take notes for students as needed; escort students to and from buses and classes; push student wheelchairs and assist with walkers; lift students in and out of wheelchairs; and assist students on and off buses.

Support certificated staff by assisting visually impaired students with physical therapy, developing motor skills, positioning and related exercises, utilizing adaptive equipment, and developing independent walking and mobility skills; assist and interact with students during physical education activities.

Assist visually impaired students in a work transition program with the development of social, vocational, communication, etiquette and job searching skills; provide job coaching; assist students with utilizing public transportation; adapt work/job site to student abilities; ensure employers of student understanding and ability to perform job tasks.

Provide classroom support by setting up work areas and displays, and distributing and collecting paper, supplies and materials.

Ensure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures; maintain classroom and other assigned areas in a safe, orderly and clean manner.

Provide medical assistance and health care to special education students as assigned; administer first aid and CPR according to established…