Complex Needs Educational Assistant

IB Complex Needs Educational Assistant

Temporary

Internal/ External Posting

Posting Date: November 5, 2026
Closing Date: November 12, 206

Posting #2026090

Hours

0.60 FTE Monday to Friday
Start date: November 2026
End Date: June 2027Salary

$33.05 – $34.70 depending on years of service with SMS.
This is a bargaining unit position in the Professional Employees Association.

Summary
St. Margaret’s School (SMS) is Western Canada’s only girl-centered, independent day and boarding school located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on the unceded traditional territories of the Esquimalt Nations, Songhees Nations, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations. Founded in 1908, SMS is an international centre for girl-centered learning and leadership development, providing empowering education for girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 (boarding grades 7–12). St. Margaret’s School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) School offering the Diploma Program.

The Complex Needs Educational Assistant (CNEA) is a specialized educational support professional who enables students with complex learning, communication, behavioural, sensory, medical, mobility, and self-regulation needs to access learning safely and meaningfully within the school environment.

Working as a member of the Personalized Learning & Enrichment Team, the CNEA applies specialized training, professional judgment, and evidence-informed practices to support student communication, engagement, independence, regulation, personal care, and safety. The role requires advanced competence in individualized support strategies, collaborative problem-solving, and the implementation of student-specific educational, behavioural, and health plans.

Core Competencies

• Integrity & Trust
• Service Orientation
• Communication & Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Innovation
• Resilience
• Interpersonal Savvy
  
  Duties and Responsibilities
  The Complex Needs Educational Assistant role requires specialized knowledge and skills beyond those typically associated with general classroom support. Employees in this position are expected to develop and maintain competence in areas such as augmentative communication, autism support, self-regulation strategies, sensory supports, behaviour intervention, physical assistance, personal care, student safety planning, and collaborative multidisciplinary practice.

• Implement and contribute to the ongoing monitoring of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), behaviour support plans, communication plans, and individualized health and safety protocols, providing regular feedback to support continuous student growth, under the direction of the PYP Personalized Learning & Enrichment Specialist and student’s teacher and the Personalized Learning & Enrichment Coordinator.
• Facilitate student communication and participation through the skilled use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, visual supports, social narratives, assistive technology, and individualized communication strategies.
• Apply strategies to support student self-regulation, executive functioning, transitions, sensory needs, mobility, and personal care while promoting dignity, independence, and student agency. Maintain active supervision and implement approved response procedures.
• Use approved de-escalation, physical assistance and emergency-response methods within the employee’s training and authorization.
• Implement evidence-informed behavioural, social-emotional, and sensory supports designed to increase student engagement, independence, self-advocacy, and successful participation in classroom and school life.
• Recognize and respond proactively to indicators of student dysregulation, anxiety, sensory overload, or emerging behavioural concerns using preventative and strengths-based intervention strategies.
• Provide planned coverage during defined periods when qualified CNEA coverage is required to support individual students.
• Support the collection of observational and educational data related to student learning, communication, behaviour, regulation, and goal attainment to inform school-based decision-making and programming.
• Collaborate with student’s teachers, Personalized Learning & Enrichment Team, parents and any student external providers while maintaining clarity and confidentiality.
• Participate in student-specific training, planning meetings, debriefs and periodic competency reviews at school.
• Support other students or school programs as assigned and when consistent with the classification, training and operational needs of SMS.

Required Education and Experience

• Completion of an Education Assistant Program, which could include Education Assistance, Special Education Assistance, Teaching Assistance, Child and Youth Care or another related social-services field, OR an equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience supporting students with complex needs.
• Minimum one year experience implementing individualized communication systems, including AAC devices, communication boards, visual supports, and alternative communication methods.
• Minimum one year experience supporting students with complex developmental, behavioural, communication, medical, sensory, and/or physical needs preferably in an educational setting.
• Successful completion of SMS-approved training in student-specific physical assistance, de-escalation, elopement response, safeguarding and personal care before independently performing those duties. Non-violent Crisis Intervention or similar training is required.
• Current first aid and CPR certification.
• Clear current Criminal Record Check.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of neurodiversity-affirming practices and strengths-based approaches to supporting students with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, learning differences, and other exceptionalities.
• Understanding of self-regulation frameworks, sensory processing differences, trauma-informed practice, and positive behaviour support approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret student needs, exercise professional judgment, and adapt support strategies while maintaining alignment with established plans and school protocols.
• Ability to meet the documented physical requirements of the role safely and consistently, with accommodation considered in accordance with applicable law.
• Strong judgment, observation, documentation, confidentiality, collaboration and communication skills.
• Demonstrated reliability and ability to follow plans consistently while responding appropriately to changing safety needs.
• Ability to establish good relationships and interact positively with all staff, faculty, and students.
• Actively support the vision, mission, and values of our school.

Valued Benefits

A career with St. Margaret’s School will offer you the opportunity to be part of dedicated team of professionals in a dynamic and rewarding educational environment. This position is located on the school campus, with access to rapid transit, on-site gym, and other amenities.

St. Margaret's School emphasizes a dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion across living, learning, and work environments. The school aims to have its workforce mirror the diversity of students and the community. Actively encouraging applications from groups facing historical or current equity barriers, the institution is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community. Employees needing employment support, technical aids, or accommodations, are encouraged to contact Human Resources [email protected].

Interested candidates are invited to submit an application package, including a covering letter, curriculum vitae and professional references, through Bamboo HR.

Questions email [email protected].