Educational Assistant - Vision Loss (Full-time, Part-time and Casual)

Saskatoon Public Schools is the largest school division in Saskatchewan, serving nearly 29,000 students with the support of more than 3,300 dedicated professional and support staff. Our division includes 48 elementary schools and 10 secondary schools, including a flexible learning program for artists and athletes and a unique partnership school Charles Red Hawk Elementary School located on Whitecap Dakota Nation.

SASKATOON PUBLIC SCHOOLS REQUIRES A:

Educational Assistant - Vision Loss
Full-time, part-time and casual

Educational Assistants who support students with vision loss are required to assist with access to educational programming and communication through braille. With the goal of fostering independence and meaningful participation. Formal braille training and experience supporting students with visual impairments are required.is a requirement.

The successful candidate will:

• Work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary school team to support students(s) in achieving goals outlined in their Individualized Program Plan (IPP).
• Provide consistent braille and access support to students with vision loss to ensure equitable access to instructional materials, classroom learning, peer interactions and school activities.
• Support students in the use of braille and related materials to facilitate participation across academic and non-academic settings.
• Adapt instructional and communication supports meeting the student's individual learning needs, preferred access methods and developmental level, under the direction of the classroom teacher or specialized staff.
• Assist with the preparation and use of accessible learning materials and resources to promote student independence and success.
• Assist students with personal care needs, which may include feeding, personal hygiene, mobility, toileting and transportation. Duties may also involve transfers, lifts and repositioning in accordance with established safety procedures.
• Support students with medical needs by following established care plans and implementing directions provided by school staff and/or health professionals.
• Promote, model and reinforce positive behavior interventions and supports, encouraging appropriate behavior, social interaction and student independence.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of students through active supervision during instructional and non-instructional times, including bus loading and unloading, playgrounds, hallways, gymnasium and field trips.
• Implement individualized behavior and safety strategies to promote student independence and participation in school routines.
• Observe, collect and share relevant data related to student learning, communication and behavior to support instructional planning and decision-making, under the guidance of the classroom teacher and school team.

The successful candidate will have:

• Training and/or experience related to special education or a related support services field is preferred.
• Braille Certification (Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Unified English Braille (UEB), Braille Literacy Canada)
• Please include the institution, certification and year completed on your resume.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• First Aid, CPR and AED training is beneficial.
• Ability to perform the physical demands required for this position, such as lifting and transferring students who require assistance with toileting or mobility.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments.
• Ability to respond to students with severe opposition, aggressive, threatening behaviors and the use of inappropriate and/or threatening language.

What you can expect:
Full-time employees work 30 hours per week.

Casual employees may accept days of work, allowing flexibility to work around your availability. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Processing of applications is based on division needs.

How to apply:
Applicants are requested to submit an online application at http://www.applitrack.com/Saskatoon/onlineapp/ . Three professional references are required. Professional references should be current or recent supervisors who directly observed your performance.

Applications are encouraged from persons of Indigenous ancestry as we strive to develop a representative workforce.
While we sincerely appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.