Are you interested in working with our dynamic and progressive school division to pursue excellence in education for students, professional learning opportunities, a flexible health benefits package, and a workplace that embraces diversity? Then we are the place for you!
Who we are and what we value:
Parkland School Division (PSD) is a large progressive school jurisdiction serving Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Fort Chipewyan and Parkland County. PSD meets the diverse educational needs of over 12,000 rural and urban students among 23 sites, including outreach schools and alternative education programs.
Our values are what guide us. We strive for learning opportunities that are purposeful, essential, relevant, authentic and responsive while aiming for excellence in achievement. PSD also values trustworthy, respectful relationships that promote resilience as students and staff work towards our Ultimate Goal: Student Success & Well-being.
The Parkland School Division currently has a Temporary Part-time (for new employees) or Permanent Part-time (for existing Permanent employees) EA Certified position (0.786 FTE) available at Copperhaven School in Spruce Grove, Alberta.
The assignment is grade 3 classroom support but primarily with two students who have a diagnosis of ASD. Both require regulation support, academic and expressive language support.
Student A: needs close supervision and often runs from the classroom and is quite
physical. The staff who works with the student requires NVCI and to be able to use
de-escalation as required. They also need to be able to stay in close proximity to the
student. Student requires hand holding in hallways and during all transitions. Staff
require strong balance. Proximity during academic tasks (requires sitting/squatting and
being on the floor).
Staff must facilitate sensory breaks in the Sensory Room as per the student plan.
Requires modeling of sensory activities such as jumping, hopping, skipping, walk
breaks (frequency = daily ongoing).
Student B: Needs close supervision and often wanders. Handholding during
transitions.Proximity during academic tasks (requires sitting/squatting and
being on the floor). Modeling of physical activities as student reverts to being sedentary
and needs an adult partner to engage in active play and PE classes.
This position requires active outdoor supervision in all types of weather in the playground area. This includes being able to climb equipment to assist children, holding hands of those students who need direction into the building and assisting students who may be injured as first on the scene (squatting, kneeling).
Student A wears a reflective vest and will often run beyond the boundaries of the play area requiring staff to respond quickly to ensure safety (running, holding).
Transition with students to upstairs classrooms for Music, Buddy activities and Social Class (4x a week). Active supervision required and participation to facilitate skills in PE class (throwing, jumping, running etc.)
EXISTING PERMANENT EMPLOYEES: As an existing CUPE employee you are eligible to apply and if successful you will maintain your Permanent status. At the conclusion of the Temporary Position, you will be returned to the same or similar position (and at the same location, if possible) as you were previously in.
NEW EMPLOYEES: As a temporary employee you will not be eligible for leave entitlements and benefits. The provisions of the Collective Agreement apply to Temporary Employees, except the following listed in Article 2.06 (Probationary Period, Seniority, Layoff and Recall, Sick Leave, Leave of Absence, Health Plan Benefits, Local Authorities Pension Plan).

COMMUNITY LIVING AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS

• Travel with student to job placement, provide job training.
• Assist students to be integrated into the regular classroom.
• Facilitate the development of social skills.
• Assist students in recreation activities (crafts, preparing meals).
• Travel with individuals or small groups to community outings such as banking, and/or shopping.
• Journal and assist in choosing books.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

a) Education:
i) High School Diploma
ii) Teacher Assistant Certificate/Educational Assistant Certificate
iii) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and First Aid Certificate would be an asset
iv) Courses related to working with students with special needs OR that are specifically related to the above-mentioned duties.
b) Experience:
i) Training and experience in working with children with challenging behaviors, strong technology skills, ability to build strong relationships and a team player
Equivalencies will be considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTITUDES

• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• A good sense of humour
• Good health and physical fitness
• The ability to take direction and work independently
• Flexibility, patience, sensitivity, tolerance, enthusiasm, creativity and imagination
• The ability to deal with the emotional and mental stress of working with children/group of children/school setting.
• First Aid Certificate
• Courses or training in Attention Deficit Disorder, Special Needs Disorders, English as a Second Language, Behaviour Management, Crisis Prevention, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, and Food Handling and Preparation, would be an asset
• Lifts and transfers
• G-tube feeding, catheterization
• Knowledge of office equipment
• Knowledge of computers
• Some assignments may require use of own vehicle
  This work is most rewarding for those who enjoy working with people (especially physically, emotionally and behaviorally challenged children), having clear rules and guidelines for their work, and finding innovative ways to handle situations.

ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH APPLY TO EDUCATION WILL BE ACCEPTED.

How to Apply:

Applying is a two-step process. First you must register and create a portfolio, then you must apply to the job posting by following the steps below:

• Click the position title of the job that you wish to apply to and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click ‘APPLY’.
• Jobs that you have applied to will appear under the ‘Jobs Applied To’ tab in the Job Postings section. You will also receive a confirmation email.

For technical support while applying to a position online, please contact our service provider for assistance:
Apply to Education
Phone: 1-877-900-5627
Email: info@applytoeducation.com
Hours: 5:30am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday
We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

FUNCTION AND PURPOSE OF POSITION

EA Certified employees assist teachers with many instructional and non-instructional tasks in the classroom and with other school activities. EA Certified employees work as members of the school and as members of a student support team. EA Certified employees must have met PSD’s mandatory educational requirements. The minimum mandatory educational requirement is an Educational Assistant Certificate or comparable education.

EA Certified employees may:

• Work under the supervision of one teacher or several different teachers
• Work independently with students or in the classroom with the teacher
• Work with a particular special needs student or a group of students within a class or in a special program
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Perform clerical tasks in the classroom or school

The EA Certified employees provide routine and repetitive instructional support. Under the direction of the teacher, the EA assists the student in acquiring the education and skills necessary for advancement in the educational setting. To reach this objective, the EA follows an individually prescribed learning program, through team planning and working one-on-one with the student(s). This involves routine recording, basic charting and logging of observations on anecdotal record sheets or data sheets. EA does provide personal care to students.

OTHER DUTIES

• May provide Braille to students starting to learn Braille (specification).
• May provide signing to students (American Sign Language or Signed Exact English) (specification).
• Other duties as assigned (specification).