Specialized Academic Behavioral Assistant (SABA) - SpEd
Location: Vista La Mesa Academy
Schedule: 8:10am-2:40pm, Monday-Friday
Work Year: 204 paid days per year
DEFINITION:
Direct supervision by Site Administrator, classroom teachers coordinate and direct instructional tasks, district Nurse provides health-related training and monitors health care procedures, has direct contact with staff, students and parents. Staff member’s services may be required while student is in a special education or general education setting. Job site location will be determined based on student need and may be assigned or reassigned by the Director of Student Services, based upon District or student need.
JOB RELATIONSHIPS:
Under general supervision of the special education teacher has direct contact with staff, students and parents. Staff member’s services may be required while student is in a special education or general education setting. Job site location will be determined based on student need and may be assigned or reassigned by the Director of Student Services, based upon District or student need.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Assist in educating children identified as special education having needs in the academic, development, and/or behavioral areas.
Assist teachers with the presentation of learning materials by tutoring individual or small groups of students assigned to programs in special education.
Record appropriate data regarding academic, and/or behavioral information, and file in prescribed program format.
Assist in organizing and preparing instructional materials and correcting student work.
Assist teacher with supervision of students in the classroom, on the playground and on study/field trips. May supervise students under the direction of the teacher in the absence of the teacher.
Assist students in getting on and off the school buses, meet school buses and escort children to and from classroom.
Attend inservice training activities as related to job description. Maintain student participation as required by program.
May participate in Individualized Education Program team meeting or home visits, when feasible.
Assist in care for student's physical needs including diapering, toileting, feeding, lifting and moving of children as needed.
Learn and use assistive technology or other specialized equipment.
Assist in the management and shaping of student behavioral techniques or positive reinforcement strategies.
Assist in management and shaping of student communication skills through the use of a picture exchange system, pivotal response technique or positive reinforcement strategy.
Assist in training sensory impaired students in areas of body awareness, spatial relationships, balance, sensory-body coordination, sensorimotor integration and fine or gross motor skills.
Perform other duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Working knowledge of discrete trial methods, pivotal response training, picture exchange communication system and/or other applied behavioral techniques or strategies
Working knowledge of behavioral modifications or management strategies and techniques and reinforcement methods
Working knowledge of child development of students
Record management, storage and retrieval procedures
Assertive and assaultive behavior protection and basic self-defense methods
Interpersonal skills using tact, courtesy and confidentiality
ABILITY TO:
Learn and apply discrete trial methods, pivotal response techniques and/or other applied behavioral analysis techniques, strategies and procedures
Learn and apply behavior modification or management strategies, techniques and reinforcement methods
Learn and apply district-accepted professional assault response behavior techniques and self-defense procedure
Supervise students with behavioral aggressiveness
Learn and utilize teaching aids, assistive technology or communication devices used by special education students
Maintain confidentiality at all times concerning students and their families
Follow written protocols and procedures as specified
Follow universal precautions to ensure personal safety
Administer First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Function adequately in emergencies
Learn procedures, functions and limitations of the assigned duties
Perform the duties of a rigorous work schedule which may include periods of sitting, standing, repetitive motions, behavioral management techniques and data collection
Speak and write grammatically correct English and perform mathematical concepts
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
High school graduate or equivalency
Paid or volunteer experience working with children in an institutional, educational or childcare setting is highly desirable, preferably settings involving children with autistic or severe behavioral needs
Crisis Intervention or Professional Assault Response Training desirable
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
District pre-employment test
Post-offer physical examination and drug screen
Fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice
Tuberculin skin test before employment and every four years thereafter or a chest x-ray
Current valid California driver's license
Current First Aid Certificate
Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate
ENVIRONMENT:
Classroom
Outdoor playground
Bus supervision
Community based instruction settings
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Lift, carry, push, pull up to 40 pounds
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard
Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone
Seeing to assess injuries and illness
Full range of motion in upper and lower extremities to assist students with mobility
Kneel, crouch, squat or sit on the floor with children for up to 30 minutes at a time
Run, move quickly in order to keep up with children in the classroom or on the playground
HAZARDS:
Contact with aggressive behavior, which may include scratching, biting, hitting or kicking
Contact with blood-borne pathogens
Communicable diseases