Special Education Assistant

Educational Assistant, Functional Therapeutic School - Heron Creek
Location: Heron Creek Campus, 17600 Pacific Hwy, Marylhurst, OR 97036
Schedule: 8 hours per day / 5 days per week / 185-day Instructional Calendar
FOR 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

Clackamas ESD strives to infuse equity in all our programs and bodies of work by maintaining an inclusive, barrier-free environment in which everyone participates and fully benefits.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be the one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact Human Resources at hr@clackesd.org to discuss your application.

Find your "why" with Clackamas ESD
At Clackamas Education Service District, our mission is to lead, serve and innovate for learning. Clackamas ESD provides services in early learning, special education, technology and teacher/staff support to Clackamas County school districts. We ensure students and families in all of our communities — big and small — have access to equitable education services. Learn more: https://www.clackesd.org/about/

About the program:
The Heron Creek Programs assess the collective strengths of students, families, schools and the community to develop collaborative plans, enabling students with significant social, emotional, behavioral and academic challenges to learn and use skills to meet their educational goals in the least restrictive environment. The Heron Creek Programs will be differentiated from behavioral classrooms in the inclusive approach of the team. The programs are evidence-based with an emphasis on family participation; integration of education and school based mental health service throughout the day, as well as the maintenance of continuous connections between the student, family and local school district personnel. The program will emphasize strengths-based assessment and collaboration with local systems of care.

About this position:
The Educational Assistant assists the teacher in instruction, personal management and positive behavior management to engage students whose primary disability is intellectual disability with high intensity support needs and extremely significant behavioral challenges.

Essential functions:

• Provides instruction under the direction of the classroom teacher, to individual students in academic and functional skills domains, including communication, self-care, social skills, community use, functional academics, leisure, and work
• Participates actively in the process of completing functional behavioral assessments by collecting specific data related to students’ behaviors, and contributes to the development of students’ Behavior Support Plans through sharing data and observations.
• Manages student behaviors by adhering to the Behavior Support Plan developed for the student; utilizes principles of de-escalation at all times
• Takes action, or assists in taking action, to seclude or restrain students who are at risk of harming themselves or others by following district-approved restraint/seclusion procedures
• Follows guidelines for use of the least intrusive intervention and best practices, consistent with the students' needs and disabilities; provides feedback and adjusts the nature and frequency with which positive reinforcement is provided to students during individual sessions
• Provides input into the development of individualized sensory plans for students; supports students’ development of self-regulation ability through the skillful use of sensory tools; guides students to interact with tools to decrease behavioral escalation intensity and frequency
• Builds students’ ability to communicate through consistent use of communication methods, implementing them with fidelity as instructed by the speech/language pathologist and classroom teacher.
• Participates in the assistive technology evaluation process, and provides input to the team regarding the student’s strengths and needs.
• Provides for students' personal care needs including feeding, toileting.
• Performs health tasks and implements individualized protocols, as delegated by the CESD's Registered Nurse and assigned by the classroom teacher
• Meets students' physical, communication, and instructional needs by using adaptive equipment and technology
• Collects and records data on students' performance
• Communicates accurately and effectively with other education staff, building administrators, employers, and community service providers related to instruction
• Communicates with parents under the direction of or upon request of the teacher
• Supervises students' arrival and departure, recess, breaks, and lunch in the education facility and the community
• Prepares materials for instructional activities designed by the teacher, and completes routine clerical tasks
• Maintains a clean and safe classroom environment, including proper disposal of waste, washing, and disinfecting materials
• Wears protective gear as directed by the classroom teacher, behavior consultant, and/or program administrator
• Contributes to and cooperates with the classroom instructional team, including the teacher, related services staff, other educational assistants, and support staff
• Serves as the primary source of information and assistance to substitute teachers assigned to the classroom

Minimum qualifications:

• At least 18 years of age
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preparation
• Ability to operate and use technology for student instruction and/or care, including computers, augmentative communication devises, and adaptive physical equipment
• Ability to produce materials using computers, copiers, audiovisual equipment, and other office machines
• Training or successful experience working with students whose primary disability is moderate to severe intellectual disability or other developmental disabilities
• Ability to work under the direction of multiple supervisors
• Ability to work as a member of a collaborative team
• Ability and willingness to provide for students' personal care needs including feeding, diapering, and assistance with toileting
• Ability to acquire and maintain a valid first aid and CPR card
• Written and oral communication skills sufficient to perform essential functions
• Physical and mental attributes sufficient to perform essential functions
• Ability to acquire and maintain appropriate Oregon State approved behavioral intervention and de-escalation certification

Preferred qualifications:

• Bilingual. Bilingual candidates must pass a language proficiency assessment at an intermediate high to advanced level per CESD guidelines to be eligible for bilingual salary placement.

Salary: The 2025-26 is still being determined.
Range 14 of the 2024-25 classified salary schedule, Bilingual candidates for eligible languages (Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin, ASL) will be paid per Range 15 of the classified salary schedule.. New hires are eligible to come in at up to Step 4 of the classified salary schedule, depending on experience. Range 14: $21.90 - $23.92 per hour. Range 15: $23.03 - $25.02. CESD Classified Salary Schedule 2024-25: https://www.clackesd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2024-25-Salary-Schedule-with-Appendix-B.pdf

Benefits:

• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance with generous district-paid contribution (most employees pay $0 out of pocket to maintain health insurance coverage)
• Retirement through the Oregon Public Retirement System (PERS) includes pension and individual account program
• Paid time off, including paid holidays, sick leave, and other personal leave
• Opportunities to grow with us with generous professional development expense reimbursements
• Clackamas ESD covers the full cost of fingerprinting for new employees, saving you $82.50 - a benefit not offered by most other districts
• Read more about our benefits here: https://www.clackesd.org/employment/

Retirement plan contributions:
Clackamas ESD employees working 600 or more hours in a calendar year are eligible for the Oregon Public Employee Retirement, or PERS. There are two components to PERS, including the pension, which is primarily funded by CESD and The Individual Account Program, or IAP, which is funded by a six-percent deduction from your paycheck. If you are new to PERS, your PERS deduction will begin automatically after a six-month waiting period.

How to apply:
Submit your application at https://www.applitrack.com/clackesd/onlineapp/ Applications for this position must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the listed closing date and must include:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Completed application form

Clackamas Education Service District is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce along with the students and families that we serve.

Clackamas ESD policy provides veterans and disabled veterans with preference as required by law.
Clackamas ESD Notice of Nondiscrimination: https://www.clackesd.org/non-discrimination-and-title-ix/

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.90 - $25.02 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• AD&D insurance
• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Physical Setting:

• Public school
• School
• Special education school

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22 - $24