TA 2 – Special Ed – Creative Arts Secondary – SY 2024-2025

Creative Arts Secondary School is seeking a Teaching Assistant 2 – Special Education for School Year 2024-2025. Creative Arts Secondary School develops creative young adults through rigorous study in both arts and academics. Students pursue a personal artistic vision, learning in and through the arts, as part of a supportive creative community. 

Minimum qualifications

One of the following:
– An AA, AS, AAS (or higher) degree, OR

– Two years of post-secondary coursework (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) from an accredited institution of higher education which are applicable toward a bachelor’s degree, OR

– Passing score on the Paraeducator Assessment AND either a high school diploma or a GED certificate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

– Basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics.

– Basic skills in typing and duplicating may be required for some positions.

– Ability to develop good relationships with students and staff.

– Ability to be sensitive to the needs of others.

– Ability to relate to students with warmth, friendliness and understanding.

– Lifting may be required for some Teaching Assistant positions.

– Must be on time to the job every day.

Responsibilities

TYPICAL DUTIES EXPECTED TO BE PERFORMED

The essential job functions of a Teaching Assistant include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties. Able to perform the duties in these various environmental conditions. May be assigned to any of the following Teaching Assistants as needed to support student’s academic.

Teaching Assistant 2 (special education) positions may perform some or all of these duties in addition to those listed above.

– Able to perform the duties in these various environmental conditions.

– Assist in implementing student Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), 504 Plans, Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and sensory plans.

– Support the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms and environments.

– Record data on students¿ IEP objectives and BIPs for use in monitoring and adjusting student programs.

– Assist students with teaching students to complete functional skills, such as feeding, dressing, toileting and other self-help activities.

– Maintain toileting area and equipment. 

– Set up meal area and equipment.

– Assist teachers in working with individual students in with communications systems therapy, and discipline across the school day and in all environments.

– Able to be mobile and move around classrooms and the schools to anticipate and meet the variety of student needs.

– Complete Third-Party billing daily.

– Provide follow up instruction on Positive Behavioral Interventions and implement de-escalation strategies to avoid power struggles.

– Be trained in Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) for de-escalation and physical restraint techniques. Only use NVCI physical intervention techniques when needed to assure the safety of the student or other students

– Assist in supporting students on field trips.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

– Must be physically be able to lift more than 40 pounds when applicable.

– Able to sit, walk, climb, crouch, kneel, push, talk and hear.

– TA2s are required to be trained in the Special Education Orientation.

– Must be trained and maintained Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and bus safety training and CPR as required.

– Regardless if you are TA1 or TA2, you may be assigned to a Special Education bus route(s), the following requirements must be completed within 30 days of being assigned to ride the bus: basic first aid, CPR and bus safety policies and procedures training. This required training will be offered by the District’s Transportation Department. Employees who have taken this training from the American Red Cross are required to show evidence of completion to the Transportation Department. It is required to repeat this training as necessary in order to remain certified.

Pay, Benefits, and Work Schedule

This is a 10-month position working 35 hours per week.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Teamsters – TA negotiated labor agreement. The labor agreement and salary schedule can be found at: Labor Agreements.

Benefits are available to new employees after 30 days of active employment.  Benefits include medical insurance, life insurance, sick leave, pension plan, tax-free retirement account, and flexible spending account.  Some employee groups also receive vacation, dental insurance and disability insurance.  A benefits summary is available at: Benefit Summaries.

How to Apply

To be considered further, please apply for this position and attach a resume and cover letter to your online application.

The Human Resource Department will review your application materials and contact you regarding the next steps.

To attach additional documents to your online application, click on the “Additional Attachments” link from the applicant homepage and upload your documents as attachments.  Valid file extensions for attaching a document include .doc, .txt, .rtf, and .pdf.

Other Information

Transcript – Unofficial transcripts are accepted at the time of hire.  You must submit official transcripts within 30 days of your start date.  Formal credential evaluation is required for post-secondary education completed outside of the United States.

Veteran’s Preference – If you are an eligible veteran applying for a job where veteran’s preference applies and wish to claim Veterans Preference you must submit a legible copy of your DD214 to the Human Resource Department with your employment application. If your claim is approved, five or ten additional points will be added to your final passing score.

Criminal Background Investigation and Reference Checks – Reference checks and a criminal background investigation will be completed as a condition of hire for all new employees and for former employees who have not been employed by the District for more than six months.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are job duties that the individual holding the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation through the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disability Amendments Act (ADAAA). The essential functions are typical duties as outlined under Responsibilities.

Regular and reliable attendance.

May be exposed to various cleaning products.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO Statement)

Saint Paul Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and supports an inclusive workplace environment.

Equity Statement

SPPS is committed to an equitable workforce where all employees represent this commitment through equitable practices in their job position.