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Special Education Associate - Vernon Middle School JobID: 1152

+ Position Type:

MS Support Staff/ Paraprofessional/Aide Special Education

+ Date Posted:

6/26/2025

+ Location:

Vernon Middle School

Marion Independent School District

Job Title: Special Education Associate

Reports to: Building Principal

Date Revised: July 2019

Basic Function: Provides support for individual or small groups of students with instructional, physical, or behavior needs that require additional adult assistance. Supports the licensed instructional or support staff in the provision of special education support and services. Under the direction of licensed staff, assists to provide instructional, social-emotional, and behavioral programming which has been designed to meet each individual’s unique educational needs.

Essential Functions:

Under the direction, and in conjunction with licensed staff members:

+ Assists to provide academic, behavior management, crisis intervention and/or other educational service support in structured individual or group settings.

+ Assists to provide individual and/or group instruction under the direction of the certified teacher.

+ Collaborates with the team in planning and implementing educational, social-emotional, and behavioral interventions for individuals and groups of students.

+ Provides support and assists with supervision of students in various settings.

+ Supervise students in the lunchroom, restrooms, halls, playground and other areas as directed.

+ Monitor classes during teacher absences of short duration.

+ Assist in preparation, implementation, and adaptation of instructional materials as directed by teacher.

+ Completes clerical duties related to educational programming, instruction and/or classroom management including, but not limited to, materials preparation, communications, and recordkeeping related to student attendance, performance, behavioral incidents, etc.

+ Assist in field trips as directed by the teacher.

Additional Responsibilities and Skills:

+ Demonstrate patience with and care for students; utilizing firmness, friendliness and fairness.

+ Maintain confidentiality.

+ Participate in projects, committees, or activities to support the mission of the program, building, or district.

+ Convey a positive and professional image to students, families, and colleagues.

+ Communicate effectively and maintain effective, professional, and collaborative working relationships.

+ Maintain flexibility in responding to the changing needs of students and the district. Demonstrate an ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks at a given time.

+ Use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work which includes, but is not limited to, application of basic computer skills to effectively use email, internet, and word processing.

+ Know emergency procedures for the building and classrooms within which you work.

+ Report incidents of unusual nature to teachers and principal.

+ Participate in staff development and professional growth activities provided by the district.

+ Serve as a member of the building crisis response team as requested.

+ Follow district policies.

Specifications/Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

+ HS diploma or equivalent, previous experience working in a school setting preferred

+ Background Check

On-the-job training provided as a benefit of employment:

+ Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training

+ OSHA required certificate

+ Para-Educator Certification- 1 course/year for 3 years paid by District- pay increase with Para-Educator Certificate

+ Trauma-informed care and similar district-led sessions regarding social-emotional learning

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and forward. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk more than the average person while performing the duties of this job. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus while supervising students and working with computers, written materials, reports, assessment data, etc.

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The noise level in the work environment is can vary based on activities taking place. The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that may require the employee to extend beyond a typical eight hour workday. The employee will frequently work in different areas of the classroom including in/at desks, on or near the floor, standing, in movement while supervising indoor and outdoor activities, etc. The employee will usually work in indoor temperatures but will work outdoors when supervising students outside of the classroom.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time unless restricted by a negotiated contract.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Marion Independent School District will provide equal opportunity to employees and applicants for employment in accordance with applicable equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws, directives and regulations of federal, state and local governing bodies. Opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment includes hiring, placement, promotion, transfer or demotion, recruitment, advertising or solicitation for employment, treatment during employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and layoff or termination. The school district will take affirmative action in major job categories where women, men, minorities and persons with disabilities are underrepresented. Employees will support and comply with the district's established equal employment opportunity and affirmative action policies. Employees will be given notice of this policy annually.

The Board will appoint an affirmative action coordinator. The affirmative action coordinator will have the responsibility for drafting the affirmative action plan. The affirmative action plan will be reviewed by the Board at least every two years.

Individuals who file an application with the school district will be given consideration for employment if they meet or exceed the qualifications set by the Board, administration, and the Iowa Department of Education for the position for which they apply. In employing individuals, the Board will consider the qualifications, credentials, and records of the applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. In keeping with the law, the Board will consider the veteran status of applicants.

Prior to a final offer of employment the school district will perform the background checks required by law. Based upon the results of the background checks, the school district will determine whether an offer will be extended. If the candidate is a teacher who has an initial license from the BOEE, then the requirement for a background check is waived. The district will perform repeat background checks on applicable employees as required by law.

Advertisements and notices for vacancies within the district will contain the following statement: "The Marion Independent School District is an EEO/AA employer." The statement will also appear on application forms.

Inquiries by employees or applicants for employment regarding compliance with equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, will be directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Janelle Brouwer, Superintendent, Marion Independent School District, Marion , Iowa 52302; or by telephoning 319-377-4691. Inquiries or complaints regarding sex discrimination may be referred to the District’s Equity and Title IX Coordinator, Gretchen Kriegel, Assistant Superintendent, 777 South 15th Street, Marion Iowa, 52302, 3190377-4691, [email protected].

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Inquiries by employees or applicants for employment regarding compliance with equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions, Milwaukee Area Office, Reuss Federal Plaza, 310 West Wisconsin Ave., Suite 800, Milwaukee, WI., 53203-2292, (800) 669-4000 or TTY (800) 669-6820. http://www.eeoc.gov/field/milwaukee/index.cfm or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319-1004, (515) 281-4121 or 1-800-457-4416, http://www.iowa.gov/government/crc/. This inquiry or complaint to the federal office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.

Further information and copies of the procedures for filing a complaint are available in the school district's central administrative office and the administrative office in each attendance center.