CLASSROOM ASSISTANT (#518)

Classroom Assistant - Mercer Elementary School

QUALIFICATIONS

The position of Classroom Assistant shall require a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate; 60 college credits preferred, or other such equivalency as required by federal/state law and/or the State of New Jersey Board of Examiners; The position also requires the physical and mental capacity to perform the major responsibilities of the job assignment.

APPOINTMENT

The Mercer County Special Services School District Board of Education (Board) upon the recommendation of the superintendent shall make appointment.

CONTRACT AND SALARY

The Classroom Assistant is a non-tenured annual salaried employee. The salary, fringe benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment are as negotiated between the Board and the Mercer County Special Services Education and Therapeutic Association.

REPORTS TO

The Classroom Assistant shall report to the building principal or other administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

GENERAL FUNCTIONS

The Classroom Assistant assists teachers and other members of the professional staff in promoting the achievement of students’ educational goals and learning objectives by providing supplemental and clerical services to assist the classroom teacher. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The Classroom Assistant must demonstrate physical strength, agility, and energy to perform essential job functions and to ensure health, welfare, and safety of all students and of self.  The following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by the employee to perform the essential functions of the job: sitting, standing, reaching, walking, lifting, bending, crouching, kneeling, climbing, pushing, pulling, finger dexterity, carrying, repetitive motions, speaking, listening, and visual acuity.  The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

In order to fulfill his/her professional responsibilities the Classroom Assistant shall perform the following duties under the direction and supervision of the principal and designated members of the professional staff:

Implementation of Program
1. Assist the classroom teacher in the delivery of an effective instructional program.
2. Work with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of
material or skills introduced by the teacher.
3. Deliver specific cues and prompts as needed to initiate appropriate student
response.
4. Assist teacher with establishing appropriate goals and objectives.
5. Demonstrate physical strength, agility, and energy to perform essential job
functions, ensuring health, welfare, and safety of all students and of self.
6. Attend to the physical needs of students which may include toileting, dressing,
feeding, lifting, placing students on equipment, and other tasks, as needed.
7. Complete clerical duties related to the instructional program.

Preparation and Organization
1. Actively participate in ongoing, designated, district-provided training to ensure
delivery of relevant, practical behavior management and instructional
programming.
2. Prepare classroom, instructional, and/or therapeutic materials in advance.
3. Operate and care for equipment used in the classroom for instructional purposes.
4. Help students master equipment or instructional materials assigned by the
teacher.
5. Implement routine academic and non-academic procedures.
6. Maintain and communicate established classroom rules and practices.

Behavior Management
1. Assist with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play
periods, and field trips.
2. Reinforce rules, procedures, and consequences clearly.
3. Physically restrain students as required.
4. Understand and accept the individual needs of children.

Staff and Parent Interaction
1. Maintain cooperative relationships with other members of the instructional
support, administrative staffs, and parents and guardians.
2. Work effectively and cooperatively with other staff members.

Professionalism
1. Maintain and respect confidentiality of student and school personnel information.
2. Perform all duties in a professional, courteous, and cooperative manner.
3. Share in the upholding and enforcing of school rules, administrative regulations,
and the policies of the Board.
4. Perform additional duties to those specified at the request of the Superintendent
or his/her designee.

EVALUATION

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the Board’s policy (4220) on evaluation of a Classroom Assistant and non-tenured support staff employees.

HUMAN RESOURCES MISSION STATEMENT

This organization believes that every individual makes a significant contribution to Mercer County Special Services School District’s (MCSSSD) success. That contribution should not be limited to assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this position description is designed to define primary duties, qualifications and job scope but should not limit the incumbent nor the organization to the work identified. It is our expectation that every employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of the District’s goals.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT

External and internal applicants, as well as employees who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential functions listed on this job description either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. MCSSSD shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law, in the event such a determination becomes necessary.

Mercer County Special Services School District guarantees equal opportunities to all, regardless of race, color, age, creed, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, nationality or sex.