Job Information
The Research Foundation for SUNY at Binghamton University Teacher Aide - Institute for Child Development in Vestal, New York
Location: Vestal, NY Category: Professional & Support Staff Posted On: Mon Dec 18 2023 Job Description:
About the Institute for Child Development
The Institute for Child Development (ICD) is an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), their families, and their communities through compassionate partnerships and high-quality, person-centered, evidence-based practice. Our goal is to encourage each individual to reach their potential while appreciating the strengths that neurodivergence brings to our community. Located on the Binghamton University campus and affiliated with the Psychology Department, the ICD has been providing services to children and their families for over 45 years. ICD continues to be a center of excellence for service, training, and community engagement and is also a member of The Council of Autism Service Providers.
The Children's Unit for Treatment and Evaluation (CUTE), a New York State Approved Special Education Program (ages 3-11) and NASET School of Excellence is one of ICD's many service programs. Our staff consists of devoted special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, school psychologists, board certified behavior analysts, clinical psychologists, physical education teachers, paraprofessional staff, and administrative support staff who work together to meet the needs of the individuals and families we serve. The Teacher Aide will be part of our dynamic team at CUTE providing center-based services to students enrolled in our program by school districts and county health departments throughout the Southern Tier of New York.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist classroom teachers or teaching assistants with instruction and care for students.
Implement Individual Education Plans under the direction of a classroom teacher or teaching assistant.
Teach a variety of essential self-care and autonomy-building skills such as toileting, eating, communicating, etc.
Monitor and objectively evaluate child behavior and performance.
Relate well to children.
Show a commitment to dignity and respect for all children by supportive actions and statements.
Ensure physical safety of children and co-workers by adhering to all policies.
Help to promote safety, health, nutrition, and social development during all activities.
Assist with virtual/computer-assisted instruction and data entry as requested.
Assist classroom teachers or teaching assistants with instructional material preparation and maintenance.
Make and/or organize necessary materials -i.e., flash cards, pictures, worksheets.
Generate novel materials based on child characteristics and/or needs.
Organize materials and monitor the availability and condition of classroom materials.
Maintain neat and clean classroom (clean desks, re-shelf books, etc.)
Decorate bulletin boards, etc., as appropriate for time of year, lesson content, etc.
Maintain hygienic standards (cleanliness, food storage and preparation, etc.).
Assist with routine inventory and storage and/or distribution of supplies and materials.
Actively participate in the functioning of the organization by showing engagement in systems planning as appropriate to the role.
Participate in multiple weekly/monthly staff meetings, parent meetings, or trainings.
Accept feedback non-defensively with corresponding timely performance changes.
Actively collaborate with staff at multiple levels, including peers and supervisors.
EXPECTATIONS
Provide direct child instruction and care for 5-days per week (full-time) or as specified by confirmed schedule (part-time) consistent with the facility calendar operational dates and hours. Meetings, preparation, parent contact, etc. occur outside direct child attendance times (before 8:30 AM child arrival or after 2 PM child dismissal).
Be available for ad hoc meetings and consultation during work hours as specified by Director of Educational & Direct Care Services, which may vary.
Participate in all habilitative, self-help and emotional development programs as requested.
Support children during all classroom activities and transitions between learning spaces, including arrival, dismissal, adaptive physical education classes, and special activities.
Maintain appropriate cleanliness, organization and adaptation of learning spaces throughout ICD.
Maintain effective professional relationships and work cooperatively in a team environment.
Motivate staff and maintain a positive work environment.
Model implementation for all habilitative, self-help, social and emotional development programs as required.
Demonstrate excellent organizational, time management, and paraprofessional decision-making skills.
Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development.
LEVEL OF SUPERVISION
The Teacher Aide will be supervised by and work closely with ICD's special education teachers, other professional staff (SLPs, OTs, APE teachers, etc.), and the Director of Educational & Direct Care Services as well as a leadership team. In vivo supervision of instructional effectiveness will be provided. In addition, consultation on program development, data evaluation, and related responsibilities will be held as needed.
Job Requirements:
High school diploma.
Must be fluent and easily understood in English with very good articulation to accommodate the communication and comprehension needs of the children served.
Must be able to proficiently read, write, and comprehend written text and communicate in written form in English as the primary means of understanding and implementing child education plans and providing required documentation.
Must have normative vision, hearing, strength, and agility in order to meet routine and emergency needs and safety of children and fellow staff. This includes:
Capability to lift and carry a 50-pound child a minimum distance of 100 feet
Capability to quickly move from floor sitting position to running to retrieve a child who may run away
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with individuals diagnosed with ASD, particularly children ages 3-11.
College degree or course work in education or psychology.
ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES
Must be able to demonstrate, via written exam in English, competency on ICD policies and procedures as presented in staff manuals.
Exams must be passed, (proficiency 90%), within the first month of employment. Failure to do so results in immediate probation. If the exam is not passed within three attempts, employment may be terminated. Exams will be administered a maximum of 3 times per employee.
Per State Education Department regulations, all employees are subject to clearance through the State Central Register of Child Abuse / Maltreatment and fingerprint supported criminal history background check.
Per state Department of Health regulations all employees are subject to clearance through the Justice Center's Staff Exclusion List prior to hiring.
HEALTH AND HYGIENE SAFEGUARDS
The ICD physical facilities are utilized by individuals from the University and the community; therefore, we cannot guarantee that areas within ICD are allergen free.
All staff members are required to use vinyl gloves to meet required safety and hygiene standards where applicable.
All staff members will need to comply with hand-washing/hand-sanitizing protocols, where posted, as part of general operating procedures.
Additional Information:
Salary: $15.90/hr for this 12 month position, M-F 8:00AM-3:30PM (with scheduled breaks per school calendar). All applicants start with a 90-calendar day probationary training period which includes sick leave accruals and paid holidays/emergency closure days. After the probationary period you will have the ability to move into a non-exempt salaried position and be eligible for raises and merit/retention bonuses. At this time your compensation will equate to $28,938 annually for the 12 month position. Note, although this is a full-time,12-month position part-time candidates will be considered and are encouraged to apply.
Professional Development Support: Conference and training support (up to $800 per individual funding per year at employee request), in-house continuing education trainings and workshops (BACB CEUs, NYSED CTLEs), and access to experts in clinical psychology, applied behavior analysis, special education, literacy, and classroom management. Assistance with pursuit of Teaching Assistant credential via NYSED once employed at least six months and strong formal performance evaluations; Excellent experience for graduate school applicants in special education, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, clinical psychology, school psychology, and related fields.
Employee Benefits: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York offers a comprehensive benefits package (https://benefits.rfsuny.org/) that is a valuable part of total compensation. This includes medical, dental, vision, dependent care subsidy and other benefits such as SUNY Tuition Assistance. Furthermore, our 10 Perks of Working at the RF (https://www.rfsuny.org/about-us/careers/) provides an at-a-glance view of our top benefits that make us a great place to work.
Research Foundation Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity
As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law.
The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.
The Research Foundation for SUNY is a private, not for profit corporation and is a separate employer from SUNY and the State of New York and offers separate compensation and benefit plans.
Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.