Educational & Library Assistant

DEXTER CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position:              HS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT & LIBRARY ASSISTANT 

Supervisor:         Teacher/Principal

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION: The Assistant will provide opportunities for the teacher to attend to the individual needs of students.  The Assistant will uphold the District mission that Dexter Consolidated Schools is dedicated to graduating each student with an educational foundation for success as a responsible, ethical contributor to society.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Display a genuine desire to work with students and support their academic, social, and emotional development.
2. Serve as a positive role model for students in conduct, appearance, and professional behavior.
3. Project an overall concern for students and maintain a professional personal appearance as it relates to job performance.
4. Work collaboratively as a member of an instructional and school-based team.
5. Communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with students, staff, parents, and administrators.
6. Assist licensed personnel in creating and maintaining a respectful, inclusive school environment where individual differences are valued.
7. Respond to students as individuals, recognizing unique learning styles, abilities, and needs.
8. Help maintain cohesiveness and a positive climate within the school environment.
9. Assist with supplementary instructional work for students and supervise independent study in classroom and library settings.
10. Provide assistance with individualized program materials and instructional supports.
11. Use current technology to support instructional management and student learning needs.
12. Provide assistance with computers utilized by students.
13. Assist licensed personnel with student discipline, behavior support, and supervision.
14. Assist in maintaining students’ engagement in appropriate tasks, including helping students learn basic library and research skills.
15. Push into classrooms to support students with identified academic, behavioral, or learning needs under the direction of licensed staff.
16. Pull individual students or small groups to work in alternate settings to reinforce instruction, provide intervention, or support enrichment activities as directed by teachers or administrators.
17. Supervise students who have been placed in alternate instructional or behavioral settings, ensuring safety, engagement, and appropriate conduct.
18. Assist the school secretary with clerical duties and provide office coverage as needed to support building operations.
19. Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, understanding that daily assignments and responsibilities may vary based on the needs of students and the building.
20. Serve as a bus assistant when assigned, maintaining required training and documentation to meet district and state qualifications.
21. Assist in managing, operating, organizing, and scheduling the library.
22. Work with teachers in the selection and acquisition of appropriate books, periodicals, and technology.
23. Inform teachers of new materials and equipment.
24. Maintain a comprehensive and efficient system for cataloging all library materials.
25. Promote appropriate conduct of students using library facilities.
26. Organize the circulation of library-media materials and equipment.
27. Arrange media-related bulletin boards and displays of interest to the students.
28. Notify teachers, students and parents concerning overdue materials. Work toward a positive outcome.
29. Make simple repairs on damaged books.
30. Operate the circulation desk.
31. Operate as the circulation agent between the school and the district non-print library. 
32. Maintain circulation records.
33. Instruct students, teachers, and parents to use electronic databases and electronic catalog.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Work under supervision of certified teacher(s), prepare for classroom activities.  
2. Work with small groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher.  
3. Assist individual children in need of special attention.
4. Guide independent study, enrichment and/or remedial work setup by the teacher(s).
5. Set up media equipment as directed.
6. Assist in drill work.
7. Assist groups of students in the library and other settings.
8. Participate in in-service training programs.
9. Contribute to the welfare and effectiveness of the classroom(s), the school, and the district by adhering to high standards of performance and interpersonal relationships.  
10. Model acceptable social skills in working with students, teachers, parents, and supervisors.
11. Report unsafe or dangerous surfaces and/or conditions in hallways, restrooms, playgrounds, entrances, and classrooms.
12. Respond to the unique needs of each student.
13. Serve as a bus assistant, maintaining training and documentation requirements to be a qualified bus assistant.
14. Other tasks as may be deemed appropriate and necessary by the immediate supervisor, the principal and/or the superintendent.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High School diploma or GED.  Additional education and/or training desirable.  
2. Possess or qualify for a New Mexico Level III Educational Assistant License.
3. Demonstrated aptitude for the work to be performed.
4. Basic computer skills recommended.
5. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Sitting, standing, lifting and carrying (up to 30 pounds) reaching, squatting, kneeling, and moving light furniture may be required.

SAFETY AND HEALTH:

1. Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions.
2. Knowledge of school safety procedures (fire drills, lockdowns, severe weather, etc.)
3. General knowledge of first aid procedures.

EQUIPMENT /MATERIAL HANDLED:

Must know how to properly operate or be willing to learn to operate all multi-media equipment including current technology.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality.  Interruptions of work are routine.  Flexibility and patience are required.  Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision.  After hour work may be required.  May make home visits when needed and appropriate.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. FLSA non-exempt employee (unless serving as the primary classroom teacher).
2. Salary and work year to be established by the Superintendent.  
3. This position necessitates being physically located at the workplace.

Every employee works for Dexter Consolidated Schools, not only for a particular supervisor or department. Accordingly, employees are expected to act in the best interest of the school district even if doing so requires actions or responsibilities not listed in the above position description.