Behavior Educational Assistant

JobID:

4000

Position Type:

Support Staff/Behavioral Education Assistant Date Posted:

5/11/2026

Location:

Woodside Elementary School Date Available:

08/2026

Closing Date:

Until filled

Notice of Support Staff Posting Position:

Behavior Educational Assistant Posting # 4000

Woodside Elementary School Posting Dates:

May 11th, 2026–

Until Filled Reports To:

Principal Beginning:

August 2026

Hours:

35 hours per week

Position Overview:

The Behavior Educational Assistant works closely with elementary students to explicitly teach and reinforce essential behavioral, social, and emotional skills. Through the Skills-Based approach, this role focuses on helping students build strategies for self-regulation, problem-solving, and positive interactions in a way that supports their safety and dignity. Support is individualized based on student needs, and the specific school location may vary depending on student caseloads and district priorities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Teaching Replacement Skills:

Actively teach students functional communication, such as how to request a break or ask for help, as a safe alternative to challenging behavior. Maintaining HRE (Happy, Relaxed, Engaged): Continuously monitor and support the student's emotional state to ensure they remain in a positive learning "zone." You will proactively adjust the environment to prevent escalation.

Tolerance Training:

Guide students through "skill branches" that teach them how to tolerate "no," follow instructions, and transition between tasks while staying regulated.

Individualized Support:

Work 1-on-1 to carry out specific protocols derived from Practical Functional Assessment and Skill-Based Treatment in

Schools Data Collection & Reporting:

Accurately track student progress, focusing on the frequency of new skill use and the maintenance of an HRE state.

Crisis Prevention:

Utilize gentle, assent-based de-escalation techniques to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all.

Work Schedule & Expectations:

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (Associate's degree or ParaPro certification preferred).

Adaptability:

Willingness to travel between elementary buildings and adapt to different classroom environments based on caseload.

Growth Orientation:

Must have a strong willingness to undergo training . This includes specialized professional development in Practical Functional Assessment and Skill-Based Treatment in Schools and other district-provided behavioral certifications.

Required Qualifications:

High School diploma or equivalent (Associate's degree or ParaPro certification preferred)

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience and in accordance with district policies.

Application Procedure:

Interested candidates should apply online through the West Ottawa Public Schools employment portal and submit: Cover letter Resume Professional References Copies of relevant certifications/licenses (if applicable) Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Reaching :

Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

Lifting :

Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.

Grasping :

Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

Talking :

Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken work; those activities where detailed or import spoken instructions must be conveyed to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Hearing :

Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and making fine discriminations in sound. Repetitive motions : Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is subject to environmental conditions. The worker should provide consistent and reliable in person attendance.