Education Specialist 10 FTE

Are you interested in working with our dynamic and progressive school division to pursue excellence in education for students professional learning opportunities a flexible health benefits package and a workplace that embraces diversity Then we are the place for you!

Who we are and what we value:

Parkland School Division (PSD) is a large progressive school jurisdiction serving Spruce Grove Stony Plain Fort Chipewyan and Parkland County. PSD meets the diverse educational needs of over 12000 rural and urban students among 23 sites including outreach schools and alternative education programs.

Our values are what guide us. We strive for learning opportunities that are purposeful essential relevant authentic and responsive while aiming for excellence in achievement. PSD also values trustworthy respectful relationships that promote resilience as students and staff work towards our Ultimate Goal: Student Success & Wellbeing.

The Parkland School Division has a Permanent fulltime 1.0 FTE) position as an Education Specialist available at Memorial Composite High School located in Stony Plain Alberta. The Education Specialist role is that of a technical assistant to the Teachers in the Science Department. The incumbent is responsible for providing efficient laboratory services achieved throughout the coordination and control of supplies and equipment as required by the Science Department.

Function and Purpose of Position
Education Specialists assist teachers with many instructional and noninstructional tasks in the classroom and with other school activities. Education Specialists work as members of the school and as members of a student support team. Education Specialists have met PSDs mandatory educational requirements. The minimum mandatory educational requirement is an Educational Assistant Certificate or comparable education.

Duties:

• Work effectively with staff and students by creating positive working relationships.
• Gather and prepare materials for Science labs and demonstrations
• Deliver experiments and demonstrations to appropriate areas
• Prepare solutions as per lab requirement
• Actively assist and participate in the instruction of labs and demos to students
• Assist with classroom instruction at the request of the teacher
• Prepare and maintain biological specimens as required
• Communicate safe handling of chemicals to teaching staff and students
• Dispose of chemical waste
• Clean equipment materials and glassware used in labs
• Ongoing inspections and record keeping of lab safety equipment
• WHMIS 2015/GHS site labeling of solutions and chemicals
• Update and maintain WHMIS/GHS and SDS records on chemical inventory
• Maintain security of lab areas including supervision
• Maintain laboratory equipment and supplies in good order
• Attend to minor repairs and send out equipment needing major repairs
• Provide information to the Science Lead Teacher to assist in budget planning
• Keep an accurate inventory of chemicals equipment and audio visual materials
• Keep records of outstanding orders
• Receive supplies and do checks against packing slips and invoices stock supplies as received
• Order and pick up locally available teaching and laboratory supplies
• Order supplies chemical and equipment as needed in consultation with the Science Lead Teacher
• Clerical assistance to the Science Department as time and workload permit
• Identification and production of possible future labs and new chemicals in consultation with teachers and researching online virtual labs working in conjunction with current labs in courses as time permits
• Able to use technology (Google Suite) for communication
• Supervise in other settings when available (classroom student spaces etc)
• Work with the Science Department to inspire student interest in science
• Emergency response back up supervisor for fire drills lockdown etc.

Education Specialists may:
Work under the supervision of one teacher or several different teachers
Work independently with students or in the classroom with the teacher
Work with a particular special needs student or a group of students within a class or in a special program
Work as part of a multidisciplinary team
Perform clerical tasks in the classroom or school

Instructional Support
Provide assistance in all curriculum areas/one on one or in small groups as directed by teacher.
Help with organizing notebooks timetables agendas and lockers.
Scribe notes from board scribe and read exams for students as required.
Modify and adapt the program for individual students as directed by the classroom teacher.
Assist in the implementation of Individual Program Plan (IPP) goals and adaptive devices.
Assist students with computer access.
Provide support to students utilizing various educational software packages.
Apply foundational knowledge about First Nations Mtis and Inuit for the benefit of all students.

Behaviour
Under direction of the teacher observe chart and monitor individual student progress and behavior.
Assist the teacher in maintaining a safe and secure environment for both students and staff through the application of deescalation strategies and non violent physical intervention techniques.
Deal with student behaviour and assists with classroom discipline.

Communication and Reporting
As requested by the teacher communicate observations regarding health and behaviours to the teacher (as gathered in logs charts and data sheets).
Participate in student team conferences when requested by the teacher.

Assist Teacher/Classroom Preparation
Organize bulletin board display photocopy material laminate articles and prepare snacks.
Modify and prepare materials for special needs student.
Ensure equipment and facilities are kept in a clean safe orderly manner.
Assist in marking testing and filing of student work.
Prepare set up and dismantle displays information areas and work areas.

Supervise Students
Supervise and assist students in preparing for special activities (preparation for swimming lessons skating etc..
Ability to work in a variety of environments and conditions (e.g. swimming playground equipment community facilities).
Ability to provide active supervision and support with students in typical school related physical activities for full work hours (including gym playground equipment track and field classroom and hallways.
Supervise small groups on field trips.

Student Personal Development
Assist in building the selfesteem and selfconfidence of students.
Encourage students to participate in classroom activities to build social skills.
Administer first aid as required.

Education and Experience
a) Education:

• Bachelor of Science Degree or equivalent/relevant degree or diploma
• Experience working in a laboratory setting
• Current WHMIS/GHS certificate
• First Aid Certificate

b) Experience:
i) 1 to 3 years of related experience.

Equivalencies will be considered.

Knowledge Skills and Attitudes
Good oral and written communication skills
Good interpersonal skills
A good sense of humour
Good health and physical fitness
The ability to take direction and work independently
Flexibility patience sensitivity tolerance enthusiasm creativity and imagination
The ability to deal with the emotional and mental stress of working with children/group of children/school setting.
First Aid Certificate
Courses or training in Attention Deficit Disorder Special Needs Disorders English as a Second Language Behaviour Management Crisis Prevention Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and Food Handling and Preparation would be an asset
Knowledge of office equipment
Knowledge of computers
Some assignments may require use of own vehicle
This work is most rewarding for those who enjoy working with people (especially physically emotionally and behaviorally challenged children) having clear rules and guidelines for their work and finding innovative ways to handle situations.

Decision Making
Education Specialists make decisions in order to assist the implementation of instructional plans as directed by the teacher. Examples: 1. Once tasks are assigned the Education Specialist may decide on the sequence of events such as how to format and prepare classroom resources and educational materials to suit the needs of the student(s) (e.g. photocopying and some word processing). 2. A decision related to supervision of students various activities and events under the direction of the teacher (e.g. group children for field trips in manageable groups). 3. How to design and set up bulletin board displays and/or information areas to support instructional objectives of the teacher.

Working with Others
Some of the usual contacts that Education Specialists will have in this position are:
1. Employees in the same school as there will be an exchange of everyday information and may require explanation and interpretation of that information.
2. Employees in other schools will exchange factual or everyday information.
3. Daily communication with students will require explanation and interpretation of everyday information.
4. As directed by the teacher communicate observations regarding health and behaviours to the teacher (as gathered in logs charts and data sheets).
Work is performed under frequent or close supervision. Specific directions and instructions are provided during work process.

Physical Demands
The Education Specialist may be required to routinely lift items weighting up to 50 lbs. Sometimes heavier lifting may be required to help children move into and out of wheelchairs. EAs may also use mechanical lifts for students.
Ability to work with students in a variety of positions (i.e. sit on Chair or floor kneel stand bend or reach to assist.
Ability to walk easily maneuver stairs and move from one position or place to another with sufficient ease to respond to student need in a timely manner.

Working Conditions
Education Specialists work indoors except when supervising children outdoors or going on field trips.

Education Specialists may have the same holiday schedule as teachers including a long summer break as well as winter and spring breaks. However they work on a tenmonth contract basis and therefore are not paid during the summer months.

The scheduled hours to be worked will be determined by each specific position.

This position may require the use of a personal vehicle as per job posting.

Additional Information
Education Specialists must agree to respect the confidentiality and personal integrity of students parents teachers and other staff.

This position requires an original copy of a current clean criminal record check with vulnerable sector and an original copy of a child intervention record check.

This position is covered by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 5543

Hours of Work: 35hours/week

Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Pay Rate: $25.66$28.76/hr (Category 4

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Hours: 5:30am5:00pm Monday through Friday