Educational Assistant

Location: Regina/Pilot Butte, SK
Position: Casual
Closing Date: Continuous

The Educational Assistant provides educational support to vulnerable persons with complex needs, behavioural issues, developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, and/or other related issues. The Educational Assistant provides supervision, academic support, care, and role-modelling to students in a classroom environment, guiding educational routines while implementing behavioural and life skill strategies. The Educational Assistant works with a teacher to provide individualized education plans to each student, assisting the students in meeting their educational goals.

**Qualifications**

**Education and Professional Certification**
- Completion of a high school diploma.
- An educational assistant or youth care worker certificate or diploma, or certificate, diploma, or degree in a related field of study is an asset.

**Experience**
- Up to one (1) year of experience working with children, youth, and/or adults with behavioural, cognitive, mental health, and/or developmental challenges.
- Experience as an educational assistant, job coach, or youth care worker is an asset.

**Skills and Characteristics**
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to form genuine relationships and professional working alliances with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to lead through motivation, role-modelling, and support.
- Outgoing personality with interests that can be used to engage students (i.e. outdoors, arts, sports, etc.).
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Emotional competence and self awareness.
- Ability to display empathy, patience, and understanding in day-to-day interactions.
- Strong problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Ability to set clear, attainable goals and meet individual and program objectives.
- Ability to adapt to new situations.
- Understands budget and allocation of resources.
- Open to continuous education and learning and development opportunities.
- Basic computer proficiency.

**Duties and Responsibilities**

**Services**
- Provide supervision, care, and support to vulnerable persons with complex needs, behavioural issues, developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, and/or other related issues.
- Supervise and engage with students in a safe and structured environment.
- Participate in planning and programming in collaboration with the teacher.
- Assist in the implementation of individualized education plans and programming.
- Monitor and guide student’s behaviour and educational progress.
- Assist the students in achieving their educational goals.
- Communicate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
- Resolve conflicts and respond to crisis situations in a calm and patient manner. Identify potential triggers, recognize escalating behaviours, and de-escalate the situation safely and effectively.
- Administer medications to students when required.
- Transport students as required.
- Document all incidents and updates such as; critical incidents, medication administration, and any other classroom or student updates. Complete reports and documentation clearly, accurately, and in a timely manner.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.

**Leadership**
- Provide direction, guidance, and mentorship to new employees, potential employees, practicum students, and volunteers.
- Display positive role modelling, agency values, and fairness.
- Collaborate with and communicate to the multidisciplinary team when required.
- In the absence of the teacher, assume the roles and responsibilities of the teacher (i.e. attendance, budget, etc.).

**Management of Resources**
- Submit receipts and reconcile expenses for teacher approved expenditures.
- Ensure mileage log is completed accurately when agency vehicle is used.
- Ensure care, cleanliness, and maintenance of assigned assets and resources including; building(s), vehicles(s), furnishings, and equipment.

**Safety**
- Maintain, promote, and reinforce safe work habits, practices, and procedures.
- Adhere to written or verbal agency and government regulations, policies, practices, and instructions.

**Additional Requirements**

The incumbent is responsible for completing all mandatory training requirements for the position as per agency policy and guidelines.

Employees must hold a class five (5) novice two (2) or higher drivers license and be eligible for coverage under our commercial auto insurance policy.