The Donald E. Long School Program is an accredited juvenile detention education program located at the Multnomah County Juvenile Justice Complex that provides educational services to students currently detained by the legal system from Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties. This program provides credit attainment, individualized education plan services, and English language learners services to students who are detained, awaiting trials or hearings at the Multnomah County Donald E. Long Juvenile Justice Complex.

This position (Health & Fitness Assistant) provides educational and classroom assistance under the guidelines of teacher, principals, and other supervisors and assists in carrying out instructional activities in the area of health and fitness, promoting student safety and well-being, and reinforcing classroom programs. 

Department: Student Services

Program: Incarcerated Youth

Reports to: Program Administrator

Classification/Range: Classified/Range 10

Schedule: 235 days per year, 7 hours per day

Interviews begin: April 1, 2024

POSITION PURPOSE: 

Provides educational and classroom assistance under the guidance of teachers, principals and other supervisors, and assists in carrying out instructional activities, promoting student safety and well-being, and reinforcing classroom programs.

NATURE & SCOPE: 

The primary characteristic of the Educational Assistant is the ability to provide support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for assisting the supervision and instruction of special needs students, observing and documenting student progress, implementing plans for instruction and assisting students with special health needs. Duties are performed under risk of infection and injury and require work with students having intense learning and behavioral needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Confer with teachers, supervisor and other colleagues to plan day-to-day routines, programs, student specific delegated healthcare, and special projects for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Performs MESD program related instructional, behavioral and other activities such as helping students with individualized educational plans (IEP, behavior, safety, etc.) and other related activities.
• Undertake delegated instructional tasks for individuals and small groups; assists with classroom assignments; and monitoring student activities in the classroom and other locations.
• May participates in parent-teacher conferences and/or assist teachers in reviewing student progress and programs.
• Performs instructional support tasks such as preparing worksheets, organizing materials, creating and posting bulletin boards, data collection and monitoring progress.
• Assists students with physical education and other recreational activities.
• Participates in the implementation of student behavior plans for the purpose of ensuring effective and safe student learning. Assists in transportation supervision, as needed or requested.
• Successfully complete necessary training (e.g., OIS, CPI, etc.), maintain required certifications, and demonstrate ability to implement program-adopted crisis prevention/intervention strategies to include the use of de-escalating procedures, physical interventions to avoid injuries and other safety protocols.
• Implement prescribed physical therapy/medical assistance and support duties as directed by a health care professional.
• Attends workshops, staff development classes, and other meetings.
• Helps perform building, classroom, and equipment maintenance, as directed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Adhere to building, district, and MESD policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

Equity: Lead and support regional equity initiatives

Vision: Lead with vision, follow-through and student focus. 

Trust: Develop trust among coworkers and students through honesty and fairness. 

Communication: Communicate in an inclusive, effective and collaborative manner. 

Personal Qualities: Be respectful, excel in customer service, caring, humble and courageous. 

Agency-wide perspective: Be involved in and supportive of continuous overall improvement of MESD programs and services.

Attendance: Daily and consistent attendance and puncuality are paramount as this provides consistency and alignment with students, peers and programming outcomes. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

• Daily and consistent attendance and punctuality
• Ability to follow directions, follow through on classroom plans, and maintain effective working relationships with teachers, other educational assistants, other MESD and local school district personnel, and other agency partners.
• Ability to listen, make sound decisions on a day-to-day basis as well as during emergency or crisis situations, and effectively work with students in high stress environments.
• Good basic problem-solving with effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to perform data collection and recording tasks.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

• Fluent in Spanish, Russian or Vietnamese

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• At least High school diploma, or G.E.D.
• Previous experience working with at-risk youth, students with severe disabilities, or in alternative education learning environments or
• Any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in special education or alternative education environment. Work may involve implementing crisis prevention/intervention protocols, and may involve a risk of injury, exposure to contagious diseases, abusive students, and other adverse conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Mobility:  Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move around for extended periods of time. Ability to squat, crawl and or run occasionally as required to perform job duties.

• Lifting: Ability to personally lift students weighing up to 35 lbs and the ability to lift with assistance students weighing up to 150 lbs

• Vision:  Visual acuity to read and interpret written and electronic information.

• Dexterity: Ability to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, and operate objects, tools, or controls.

• Hearing/speaking: Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information so others will understand. 

• Emotional/Psychological: Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in challenging situations, remain empathetic and understanding towards individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs, handle stress and pressure effectively, and adapt to change in the workplace. 

BENEFITS: 

• District pays full medical, dental and vision premiums for eligible employees and dependents

• Two medical insurance plan options: 
• Group Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) with Moda or Kaiser
• Opt-Out option
• MESD pays employee’s 6% Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) contribution

• Paid holidays, sick leave and personal time off
• Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development 

This position is subject to board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable state and federal statutes. This position does not carry administrative authority. All commitments outside of authorized programs and services are subject to prior approval by the supervisor of this position.

NOTE: The description contained herein reflects general details as necessary to describe the principle functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned,  including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

MESD recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of MESD that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender,  sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veteran status,  genetic information or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment. 

Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Human Resources Director for additional information or assistance.  Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.