Specialist Educational Assistant – High Needs Support

Specialist Educational Assistant – High Needs Support

Stoney Education Authority
Eden Valley, Alberta
Full-Time | School-Based

A meaningful school-based role within reach of the Foothills

Stoney Education Authority is seeking a compassionate, patient, and relationship-focused Specialist Educational Assistant – High Needs Support to join our school team in Eden Valley.

This opportunity may be particularly well suited to candidates living in Okotoks, Diamond Valley / Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Millarville, High River, and surrounding Foothills communities who are looking for meaningful work supporting children and youth.

You do not necessarily need to come from a traditional Educational Assistant background. We are interested in people with experience in child and youth care, disability support, behaviour support, early learning, social services, human services, psychology, education, or related fields who have a strong ability to connect with young people.

About the Role

The Specialist Educational Assistant provides individualized and intensive support to students with complex learning, behavioural, developmental, communication, sensory, physical, and social-emotional needs.

You will work as part of a collaborative school team, helping students participate meaningfully in learning, build independence, strengthen communication and social skills, regulate emotions and behaviour, and work toward individualized goals.

This is a hands-on, relationship-based role for someone who can remain calm, build trust, recognize student strengths, and adjust their approach to meet individual needs.

What You’ll Be Doing

You may:

• Provide one-to-one and small-group support to students with complex or high needs
• Build strong, trusting relationships with students
• Support learning, communication, behaviour, emotional regulation, sensory needs, mobility, and social development
• Work alongside teachers to adapt activities and support classroom participation
• Follow Individual Program Plans, Behaviour Support Plans, safety plans, and individualized student strategies
• Use visual supports, modelling, prompting, repetition, communication supports, and assistive technology
• Recognize early signs of distress or escalation and use approved de-escalation strategies
• Help students develop independence, confidence, communication, and self-advocacy
• Document student observations and progress clearly and objectively
• Participate in school, cultural, community, and land-based learning activities

Depending on the student assignment, the position may also involve support with mobility, hygiene, toileting, feeding, dressing, adaptive equipment, or other personal-care needs.

You’ll Be Part of a Team

You will not be expected to support students in isolation.

The role works collaboratively with:

• Classroom teachers
• School administration
• Educational Assistants
• Behaviour and student-support professionals
• Therapists and specialists
• Families
• Cultural and language staff
• Elders and Knowledge Keepers

The goal is to create consistent, individualized support around each student.

Who We’d Like to Meet

We welcome candidates with education, training, or experience in areas such as:

• Educational Assistance
• Child and Youth Care
• Disability Studies or disability support
• Early Learning and Child Care
• Social Work or Human Services
• Psychology
• Education
• Behavioural or developmental support

A certificate, diploma, or post-secondary education in a related area is preferred, but an equivalent combination of relevant education, specialized training, and directly related experience may be considered.

You may be a strong fit if you are:

• Patient and compassionate
• Calm under pressure
• Comfortable supporting students with complex needs
• Strong at building relationships
• Flexible and able to adapt your approach
• Comfortable working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Professional and able to maintain confidentiality
• Interested in trauma-informed, strengths-based, and relationship-based practice

Working in Stoney Nakoda Education

Stoney Nakoda language, culture, identity, family, community, and connection to the land are important parts of the educational experience.

You are not expected to arrive knowing everything about Stoney Nakoda culture or language. We are looking for someone who approaches the community with respect, humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

Knowledge of Stoney Nakoda language and culture is a strong asset.

Why Consider This Role?

This position offers the opportunity to:

• Build meaningful relationships with students
• See the direct impact of your support
• Develop specialized skills in behaviour, communication, inclusion, and student support
• Work closely with teachers and specialized professionals
• Participate in professional learning
• Learn within a Stoney Nakoda school community
• Work closer to home if you live in Okotoks, Diamond Valley, Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Millarville, High River, or the surrounding Foothills area

Conditions of Employment

Successful candidates must provide:

• A satisfactory Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Check
• Three satisfactory professional references
• Any additional training or certification required for the specific assignment

Some assignments may require physical activity, mobility assistance, personal care, or responding quickly during student-safety situations.

Apply

If you have experience supporting children or youth and are looking for work where relationships, growth, and meaningful student support are at the centre of the job, we would love to hear from you.

Apply through Indeed with your resume and a brief overview of your relevant experience.

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Vision care

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Eden Valley, AB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person