ECCAT/Supervisory Spec Ed PreK Aides

POSITION TITLE: ECCAT/Supervisory Special Ed PreK Aides

START DATE: August 12, 2024

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Principal and/or Director of PreK-K Programs

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

HOURS:  7:30 AM-2:30 PM

EMPLOYMENT TERM: 200 days annually

JOB TYPE DESCRIPTION: A vacancy exists for Three ECCAT Supervisory Special Ed PreK Aides. Applicant's primary duties will be with PreK Special Needs students. 

SALARY: Minimum $28,310 - Maximum $42,640 Salary will be determined by using the Berkeley County Schools Service Personnel Salary Scale based on level of education and years of experience plus competitive benefits package equal to approximately 35% of direct compensation.  

Pay Grade F - ECCAT I & II

Pay Grade G - ECCAT III (paraprofessional)

EVALUATION: 

Performance in this position will be evaluated annually by the building principal/immediate supervisor and in accordance with WV State Code §18A-2-12, WV State Board Policy 5314, and BCBOE’s Evaluation Policy for Service Personnel 

JOB SUMMARY:   

The ECCAT/Aide assists the teacher(s) in a variety of ways to implement the instructional program including working directly with children in small groups or on a one-to-one basis; to establish effective rapport with students assigned to a PRE-K or K classroom; to motivate students to develop attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good educational foundation, in accordance with each pupil’s ability.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists teacher as needed with planning, preparation, and distribution of classroom materials
• Conducts learning games with students according to established procedures
• Maintains regular attendance and complies with State Law and County policies and procedures
• Maintains an environment that is safe for students and conducive to learning
• Anticipates and effectively addresses unforeseen crises associated with working with large groups of children
• Assists with supervision and instruction of children; copying, cutting, coloring, etc., to construct materials and bulletin boards
• Provides individualized and small-group instruction to reinforce skills that have been taught by the teacher
• Assists in implementing lessons based on district and school objectives and needs and abilities of students
• Assists with supervision of student passengers on buses and maintains a safe traveling environment.
• Attends in-services and workshops, as directed
• Maintains confidentiality, unquestionable integrity
• Assists the teacher in supervision of children in the classroom and to various locations in the school including, but not limited to, instructional areas, the cafeteria, and the bus
• Participates in bus duty, hall monitoring, lunchroom duty, playground duty and other duties assigned by the building supervisor or principal

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent, pursuant to WV Code §18A-2-5;
• Criminal background check conducted pursuant to WV Code §18-5-15c;
• Employees, regular and substitutes, who have never held the classification of aide will be required to pass the state developed aide competency test
• Should the successful applicant be an Aide without an ECCAT certification, they must be willing to enroll and take courses (online or in a classroom) to obtain the early childhood assistant teacher authorization upon employment in this position. In addition, the certification requires the payment of $80.35 for the application process and fingerprinting.
• Meet the definition of “Qualifications” in WV Code §18A-4-8b; demonstrated competency, pursuant to WV Code §18A-4-8e (state-approved competency test). 
• Must hold or be eligible to apply for ECCAT authorization (paraprofessional, temporary, or permanent). 
• Any current ECCAT who is permanent as of 7/1/23 and who wishes to serve in Grade 1 – 3 classrooms as outlined in HB 3035, will need to complete additional WVDE or county approved in-person or online training in the science of reading, numeracy, and appropriate measures for exercising authority and control over students within two calendar years of moving to a grade 1 – 3 classroom (Two Courses). Upon successful completion of the coursework current ECCATS will receive an endorsement to serve in PK – Grade 3 classrooms.
• Newly hired ECCATs or those who hold temporary authorization will complete the current WVDE or county approved ECCAT in-person or online coursework in conjunction with additional coursework/training in the science of reading, numeracy, and appropriate measures for exercising authority and control over students within three calendar years of the hiring date (Four Courses). Their licensure will reflect a PK –Grade 3 endorsement.
• Early childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher III __ means a person who has completed ECCAT permanent authorization requirements, as well as completing additional requirements comparable to current paraprofessional certificate

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work with children and ability to work with adults.
• Ability to demonstrate patience while working with children.
• Ability to learn new skills; flexibility and willingness to perform a variety of tasks.
• Ability to work well with others, follow written and oral directions and complete assignments given.
• Self-motivated and works without direct supervision.
• Knowledge of safety rules and regulations.
• Ability to perform duties in a full compliance with county requirements and Board Policies and Standard Administrative Operating Procedures.
• Ability to work with individuals and groups of students to support academics and behavior management.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and staff members.
• Ability to use sound judgment and solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists consistent with the duties of this position.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions whether furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form consistent with the duties of this position.
• Ability to accurately perform assigned tasks.
• Verbal and written communication skills consistent with the duties of this position.
• Interpersonal skills consistent with the duties of this position.
• Dress in appropriate professional attire and conforms to safety standards.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators, students, staff and the general public consistent with the duties of this position.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure consistent with the duties of this position.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations consistent with the duties of this position.
• Ability to interface effectively with parents, community, other school personnel/departments, and others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described 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 crawl, sit, stoop, reach, stand, walk, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, see and use repetitive motions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift and/or move at least 50 pounds (100 pounds vertically for Special Education and Transportation positions) of materials, children, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff members.  The individual may come in contact with children who are ill and/or contagious, and must take precautions to ensure the health and safety of all children, parents, staff and themselves. Proper restraining may be required to ensure children are safe if they are at risk of hurting themselves or others. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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 moderate to loud

(60-90 dB).

Sensory Demands:

The ECCAT/Aide may experience smells associated with toileting and children who are ill.  There may be times that the environment is noisy and busy.

Mental Demands

Caring for children can be stressful. ECCAT/Aide must ensure that children are supervised at all times, and that children are involved in safe and appropriate activities. There may be a number of situations happening at once, and must be prepared to handle accidents and emergencies at any time.

The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed by this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Berkeley County Schools is bound by statute to recommend the most qualified applicants for position vacancies. In order to determine those qualifications as set forth by the West Virginia Code, we require all applicants to fill out an application, which includes references, and, in many instances, participate in interviews. Failure to provide references, negative references, and failing to participate in requested interviews may impact negatively a candidate's qualifications.

Applicants who have been dismissed or have had their contracts non-renewed for cause are not eligible for consideration.  Applicants who receive unfavorable reference recommendations will not be eligible for consideration.  Applicants must complete the entire application and provide all documents required.  Failure to complete the application and provide requested items will result in the application not being considered.