Casual Educational Assistant

Casual Educational Assistant

Job Code: 4078331

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

Casual daily rate: $23.26/hour; Long-term occasional (LTO) rate: $29.92/hour

About the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is committed to decolonizing education, equity, engagement and innovation. We are guided by our vision, Growing Together, the mission that every student experiences a sense of belonging and engages in dynamic learning to reach their potential and build their own future. Our values of Compassion, Dignity, Trust, and Joy guide our daily work and ensure that we honour the unique and distinct identities as well as individualized needs of every student and every staff member at HWDSB. Proudly serving a community of approximately 50,000 students in the City of Hamilton and surrounding area, HWDSB operates across 80 elementary schools, 13 secondary schools and 1 Adult Learning Centre, in addition to providing support and service to approximately 8,800 staff members.

What We Offer

• We are committed to co-creating and fostering an environment where staff feel safe, valued, and supported. We are continuously striving to support the needs of our distinct and diverse community and actively work to foster and maintain a culture of human rights.
• A holistic Staff Wellness program to support employee well-being in all dimensions of health. All staff as well as their dependents have access to free and confidential supports through our Employee and Family Assistance Provider (EFAP), in addition to many other program components.
• Professional growth and development opportunities designed to support both new and experiences staff in continuous improvement.

All new hires will be invited to participate in our paid HWDSB EA Onboarding Program which includes:

• EA Essential Skills Training with the HWDSB Special Education Team (mandatory to complete within 4 months of casual hire date).
• Behaviour Management Systems (BMS) Training with the HWDSB Occupational Health and Safety Team.
• Job shadowing (up to three days with an experienced EA in a variety of learning environments in elementary and secondary schools).

The Role

Education

Educational assistants use specialized skills and knowledge to help students access educational programs, support successful learning, and promote a level of independence appropriate for all students. As a member of a team, you will provide a range of supportive interventions for students who exhibit self-regulation, social, emotional, physical, and/or medical needs. This could include, but is not limited to:

• Assist in providing a safe environment while supporting students with diverse needs, such as physical, intellectual, behavioural, learning disabilities, and/or students with multiple disabilities through modeling and supporting behaviour strategies.
• Assist in teacher-directed instruction to meet the needs of students who require special education supports and services to access the learning environment.
• Facilitate and encourage meaningful peer interactions that support students’ social development, independence, and participation in the school community.
• Maintain up-to-date daily plans, observe and record observations, and support behaviour tracking in partnership with the teacher.
• Assist on a regular basis with learning and practicing safe and healthy skills for life, including support with feeding, toileting, diapering, and dressing.
• Lift and reposition students (as trained by physical/occupational therapists).
• Follow the guidelines of student accommodation and support plans.
• Participate in all legislative professional development as well as all other PD identified by HWDSB.

Position Requirements / Qualifications

To perform the duties of the role, we are looking for the following qualifications, experience and skills:

• Diploma as an Educational Assistant, Child and Youth Worker, Developmental Services Worker, or Social Service Worker. Equivalent and/or similar volunteer, work, and lived experience will be taken into consideration.
• Training in one or more of the following areas: Behaviour Management Systems (BMS)/Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), assistive technology, Braille, sign language, First Aid and CPR.
• Related experience working with and supporting youth ages 3–21 years-old with special needs.
• The ability to respectfully perform physical tasks including dressing, feeding, lifting/re-positioning, transfers, toileting, and diapering.
• The ability to support students’ medical Plans of Care, including medication administration.
• The ability to start work immediately and work 40 shifts /school ye