Life Skills Aide

POSITION: Life Skills Aide (Multiple Disabilities (MD) Program)

REPORTS TO: Building Principal/Assistant Building Principal or Designee

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time, 186 Days, FLSA Non-Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Ohio Certification/Licensure by the State of Ohio, Department of Education
• Previous experience working with children or in an educational setting is desirable.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, teachers, and parents.
• Patience, empathy, and a genuine interest in supporting student learning and development.
• Ability to follow directions, maintain confidentiality, and uphold professional standards.
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with educational technology tools.
• Experience working with students with multiple disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, or medically fragile conditions is highly desirable.
• Ability to lift, transfer, and support students with mobility needs (training and equipment provided).
• Strong communication, patience, and problem-solving skills.
• CPR, First Aid, and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (or willingness to obtain upon hire).
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing student and classroom needs.
• Valid Ohio Driver''s License
• Must pass criminal background check

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Life Skills Aide supports the instructional and non-instructional needs of students with multiple disabilities in a highly structured educational environment. This role assists in implementing individualized education programs (IEPs), providing personal care, and ensuring student safety. The aide works closely with special education teachers, therapists, and other staff to meet the academic, physical, social, and behavioral needs of students with high and significant support needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide direct support to students with multiple disabilities under the guidance of the classroom teacher.
• Assist in implementing academic and behavioral plans as outlined in each student''s IEP.
• Support students with significant physical, cognitive, medical, and/or communication challenges.
• Aid with personal care tasks such as toileting, diapering, feeding, dressing, and hygiene.
• Use assistive technology and communication devices to support student learning and participation.
• Implement behavior management strategies and support the use of positive behavior interventions.
• Monitor student safety at all times, including during transitions, meals, recess, and bus arrival/departure.
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and organized classroom environment.
• Document student behaviors, progress, and incidents as directed by the teacher or school policy.
• Attend and participate in training sessions, staff meetings, and professional development related to special education and student care.
• Foster a supportive, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students.
• Uses support services and resources to enhance the teaching and learning process.
• Creates an environment for success, fosters a love of learning while creativity and innovative thinking are valued and encouraged.
• Promotes and maintains a safe environment as defined by district policy and procedures.
• Maintains an acceptable attendance record and is punctual.
• Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Superintendent, his/her designee, or the employees'' principal/supervisor or his/her designee.

OTHER DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS:

• Serves as a role model for students in how to conduct themselves as citizens and as responsible, intelligent human beings.
• Conducts and presents the position in a professional manner.
• Maintains a positive work attitude.
• Effectively uses verbal, nonverbal, writing, and listening skills.
• Performs duty assignments e.g. parking lot, cafeteria and restroom.
• Actively seeks to acquire knowledge and skills to meet new challenges through involvement in professional development activities.
• Is punctual and thorough in implementation of all assigned duties.

KNOWLEDGE OF: Board policies and procedures, building policies and procedures, student code of conduct, community resource agencies, emergency preparedness drills, public relations, federal and state reporting, and records management.

ABILITY TO: Interpret policies, procedures and regulations, follow instructions, communicate effectively, prepare, maintain, and file accurate and concise reports, collect data, recognize individual differences, lift a moderate amount of weight, develop a rapport with students, staff, co-workers, administration and the public.

ADDITIONAL WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:

OCCASIONAL: Exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue, lifting (10-20 pounds) of supplies and materials. Duties may require exposure to adverse weather conditions and seasonal temperature extremes. Exposure to the following situations may range from remote to frequent based on circumstances and factors that may not be predictable. Potential for exposure to blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases. Potential for interaction with disruptive and/or unruly individuals.

PERIODIC: Exposure to loud noise, extreme temperatures from program environment, irritating and hazardous chemicals, fumes, and unruly children and adults. Duties may require operating and/or riding in a vehicle. Duties may require traveling to meetings and work assignments. Duties may require prolonged use of a computer keyboard and monitor. Duties may require working extended hours. Duties may require working under time constraints to meet deadlines.

FREQUENT: Prolonged periods of standing and lifting (10-20 pounds) of supplies and materials. Bending, stooping and reaching for items. Follow all Board safety rules and procedures. Participate in the school safety training when requested.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary as per salary schedule in effect as adopted by the Board of Education. The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance use in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.