EC Pre-K Teacher Assistant

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE

Exceptional Children Teacher Assistant

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

Exceptional Children

SALARY

Grade 56 + local supplement

FLSA STATUS

Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO

School Principal or Teacher

SUPERVISES

NA

WORK WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday - Friday

WORK HOURS

8 am - 4 pm (or school hours)

NUMBER OF MONTHS PER YEAR

10

Job Goal:

To assist the teacher by monitoring and assisting students with disabilities in the classroom and during other school activities to ensure the provision of quality instruction in a safe environment

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 48 college credit hours or work keys test
• Willingness to become initially certified in a Crisis Intervention Program and maintain that certification through the proper renewal process
• Early Childhood Credentials (pre-k assistants)

Supervises: None

Essential Job Functions:

• Follow all rules, policies, and procedures of Orange County Schools along with state and federal regulations about special education services
• Work with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of skills introduced by the teacher.
• Assist the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing skills based on student individual needs, interests, and abilities.
• Assist with implementing any behavior intervention plans under the direction of the teacher and/or district staff.
• Assist the teacher by creating and modifying instructional materials to match student abilities.
• Monitor student behavior and assist with maintaining a structured classroom environment by providing positive reinforcement or redirection as necessary.
• May accompany student(s) to special area classes or electives.
• Assist with daily living skills including toileting, feeding, diapering, and any other daily living skills/tasks that students may not be able to perform independently under the direction of the teacher, occupational therapist, or physical therapist.
• Monitor the safety and well-being of students.
• Collaborate with the teacher to understand the needs of each student.
• Perform clerical duties as needed, collect data under the direction of the teacher, and develop and maintain classroom displays.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information.
• Participate in professional development and training to maintain knowledge base and obtain skills needed to work with students with disabilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist students on job sites, as necessary.
• Accompany students on community outings, as necessary

Physical and Cognitive Requirements:

The major physical and cognitive requirements listed below apply to the Exceptional Children Instructional Assistant job classification within Orange County Schools.

In most cases, work in this classification is considered light physical work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently to constantly move objects unless the job assignment falls into the category below.

In general, must be able to:

• Walk, lift, reach, stoop, stand, grasp, kneel, crouch, key, requiring repetitive motions.
• Use visual acuity in preparing and analyzing written or computer data.
• Operate a variety of machines, motor vehicles, hand, and job-specific equipment and tools.
• Determine the accuracy and thoroughness of work.
• Observe general surroundings and activities.
• Communicate by spoken word to express or exchange ideas and convey detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Safely work in situations of exposure to bloodborne pathogens which may require specialized personal protective equipment.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Establish positive relationships with students and other adults.
• Perform under stress, deal with persons acting under stress, and adapt when confronted with emergencies.
• Assist in lifting students to the changing table, to the toilet, to a wheelchair as necessary.
• Positioning students in wheelchairs.
• Pushing wheelchairs and strollers.
• Ability to be trained and execute NC Crisis Prevention Intervention

Low Incidence classrooms or 1:1 Assistant:

• Move quickly after students to prevent falls or elopement from class.
• Assists with the delivery of special services for students in need of functional life skills;
• Assists with daily living skills (includes but is not limited to tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, changing diapers, lifting, pushing wheelchairs, use of other adapted equipment; and other necessary and appropriate medical procedures under the training and supervision of the school nurse).
• Provides one-on-one academic instruction under the supervision of the classroom teacher; works to keep students on task during group instruction.
• Assists with therapeutic rehabilitation; prepares students for therapy and other special classes;
• Administers the taking of medicine; monitors special diet.
• Attempts to incorporate fine motor skills, sensory stimulation, self-help skills, social skills, and computer skills into classroom activities.
• Performs general housekeeping duties; sets up various equipment each morning; · Puts equipment away at the end of the day and washes mats, toys, equipment, etc. with appropriate cleaning supplies;
• Performs simple repairs and maintenance related to student and school equipment.
• Accepts possible exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other bodily fluids and may be required to wear personal protective equipment such as latex gloves

NOTE: All medically related procedures will be under the training and supervision of the school nurse (R.N.).

Pre-Kindergarten Classes:

• Assists the teacher in setting up the room for morning activities, greets students, and assists students with the placement of personal belongings.
• Supplements the activities of the teacher, assists students with activities, and reinforces learning in small groups.
• Provides one-on-one assistance as appropriate or under the direction of the classroom teacher
• Facilitates learning during centers.
• Participates in activities for children with special needs.
• Assists students independently.
• Constantly monitors the behavior of students.
• Rewards good behavior as instructed by the teacher.
• Responds to inappropriate behavior as instructed by the teacher;
• Supervises free time and situations when the classroom teacher is out of the room by following the established rules and routines.
• Prepares daily snack.
• May work with special programs in the school as follows: accompany classes on field trips;
• Assist with physical education class;
• Assist with the instruction of emergency procedures;
• Performs lunch, bus, hall duty, etc.;
• Keeps abreast of and adheres to childcare licensure and sanitation rules and regulations.
• May accompany teacher on home visits.

EVALUATION: The performance of this job will be evaluated by provisions of the Board’s policy on Evaluation of Classified Personnel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is considered light physical work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees in this position must work in indoor and outdoor environments and come into direct contact with OCS staff, students, and the public.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The following signatures acknowledge that the supervisor has verified the accuracy of the position description, has discussed position requirements with the employee, and has advised the employee of work performance expectations

Reviewed by: Employee's Signature

Date

Approval by Supervisor's Signature

Date

The completed and signed position description shall be maintained at the employee’s work location, shall be reviewed with the employee by his or her immediate supervisor, should be revised as required, and shall serve as the basis for all required evaluations.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.

updated 10/26/2026