DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF NIAGARA
INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR:
Permanent System-Based Educational Assistant -
American Sign Language (Sign Language) Required
The DSBN is a supportive, innovative community that works towards doing what’s best for kids and helps every student achieve success. Whether you’re in the classroom, on the playing fields, in the office or in the cafeteria, we know it’s the dedicated staff who bring our mission to life – you are what creates a child’s school experience and contribute to students reaching their full potential.
We proudly serve over 40,000 students across almost 100 elementary and secondary schools in Niagara, located between Lake Erie in the South and Lake Ontario to the North.
RATE OF PAY: Level 7 ($28.29 - $33.38 per hour)
SCHEDULE: 35 hours per week - 10 Month Position
Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Principal, the Educational Assistant is a valued member of the school team, responsible for supporting students with a wide range of special education needs. These may include physical disabilities; deaf/hard of hearing or visually impairments; behavioural challenges; social and emotional needs; and cognitive or developmental delays. This role plays a key part in promoting student success, well-being, and safety within the classroom and school environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide classroom support and assist in implementing IEP accommodations, behaviour/safety plans, and instructional strategies to support student success
- Collaborate with teachers and school-based team to monitor student needs, communicate progress, and maintain a safe and supportive learning environment
- Provide support to students with special needs, including deaf/hard of hearing or visually impaired students
- Differentiate and purposefully plan supports, incorporating ABA strategies to promote independence for students.
- Assist students with personal care needs, including hygiene, toileting, feeding, and mobility support, following established guidelines
- Implement therapist-directed programs (e.g., SLP/OT/PT) and support the development of students’ social, emotional, and life skills
- Participate in ongoing professional learning through training, workshops, and in-service opportunities
- Maintain current knowledge of special education practices and set goals to support continuous growth
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Post-secondary education in a related field (e.g., Educational Support, Developmental Services, Child and Youth Care, or equivalent experience)
- Qualifications in American Sign-Language (ASL) Level 3; candidates with Level 1 or 2 must be willing to complete additional coursework to upgrade their certification
- Candidate has completed BMS training and demonstrates the ability to apply these strategies in a respectful, consistent, and supportive manner
- Valid First Aid/CPR certification is required
- Experience working with individuals that are deaf/hard of hearing or visually impaired preferably in a school-based setting
- Demonstrated experience supporting individuals with diverse learning and developmental needs, including speech and language challenges.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
- Understanding of inclusive practices, equity, and accessibility principles
- Ability to respond calmly and effectively in dynamic and high-needs environments
- Must be able to physically assist children as required;
Qualified applicants successful to these permanent System-Based positions will be assigned to a specific school, however, will not be allocated to a designated Area and will be subject to reallocation throughout the DSBN, if other staffing measures are not feasible.
To fully assess your qualifications, a resume is necessary. Please ensure a current updated resume (plus cover letter), outlining your experience and qualifications, along with contact information for three (3) individuals to serve as references is posted to your account via . Please ensure that you include copies of your diploma(s) and/or certificates that are applicable to the qualifications of an Educational Assistant. Please do not enclose any additional documents at this time, as letters of reference, etc. will be reviewed as part of the interview process. Candidates currently staffing a Long Term occasional placement must utilize their current Principal as one of the three references. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Application Process:
- All applications are accepted through
- Applications packages should include:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Copies of your diploma(s) and/or certificates that are applicable to the qualifications of an Educational Assistant
Selection Process:
- We thank all the candidates for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Those selected for an interview will be tested on ASL abilities as part of the selection process.
-
The District School Board of Niagara is committed to equity and inclusion in the recruitment and hiring of its employees, who reflect the diversity of our community and students we serve. We encourage and welcome submissions from candidates from diverse backgrounds to build a supportive and inclusive workplace. DSBN welcomes applications from: Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, women, persons with visible and non-visible disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. The DSBN is committed to Achieving Success Together and recognizes that increasing the diversity of its workforce supports this objective.
DSBN will make interview and employment accommodations during the selection process, based on any of the human rights protected grounds. Please notify us in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs. Applicants are thanked for making known their interest in working for the District School Board of Niagara. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.
Conditions of Employment:
- Agreement to comply with the Board’s policies, procedures and code of conduct;
- Complete an annual offence declaration process.
Reason for posting: New additional positions.
Additional Information:
In accordance with Section 29(2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, this is to advise that the information you provide on this form is collected under legal authority of the Education Act, and will be used as necessary for the recruitment, selection and employment purposes of the Board.
The DSBN is committed to equity for all students and staff, and to deliver quality education through a qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Upon request, we will provide reasonable accommodations in the hiring process to support applicants with disabilities.
Personal information on this form is collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.2, as amended and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. R.S.O 1990, c.M. 56, as amended and will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility of the above-noted position and any similar or related purpose(s). Questions about this collection, use and disclosure should be directed to the Freedom of Information Coordinator, District School Board of Niagara, 191 Carleton Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7P4 905-641-1550.
DSBN does not utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants.
Land Acknowledgement:
The land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples acknowledging this reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous people.
