Title:  Paraprofessional 

Reports to: Building Principal, Assistant Principal, Assigned Special Education Teacher

Work Day: 175 work-day calendar, 6.75 hrs/day

Hours: 7:50 am - 3:00 p.m. (Secondary) and 8:20-3:30 (Elementary)

Locations: Earl Lawson Early Education Center, David Brewer, Henry Leavenworth, Intermediate, Warren MS, LHS, 3rd Avenue School 

Position Details: Positions offering educational supports begin at $15 per hour and positions requiring more intensive student support for physical and/or behavioral needs begin at $15.75 per hour. Additional compensation is provided to candidates who hold degrees or certifications as well as additional compensation for relevant work experience. 

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience working in a curriculum support capacity with students of various ages
• Successful experience working with special education students
• Basic computer skills preferred

Purpose and Objectives of the Position:

The Special Education Paraprofessional provides supportive education and maintenance assistance for the teacher of special education or general education students. The paraprofessional should possess a basic understanding of the characteristics of students and must possess the ability to work with students in a one on one setting and in small and large group settings.

NOTE: For certain student populations, position may require specialized training (severely intellectually disabled/profoundly intellectually disabled, autism); the ability to lift and physically manage students who may weigh over 50 pounds; the use of specialized equipment; the ability to assist with or perform personal activities such as feeding, toileting and diapering; or other special abilities. If necessary, these will be discussed in the interview.

Essential Functions:

• Provide educational, social, communicative support to students with autism in resource and inclusive environments
• Follow teamed prescribed procedures, academic, social, communication and behavioral interventions plans
• Communicate and work collaboratively with general education teachers, administrators and other special education service providers/consultants
• Implement a specialized curriculum
• Teaching self-responsibility
• Demonstrate strict standards of confidentiality
• Demonstrate punctuality and dependability
• Support students in all school environments, including community-based training
• Share in recordkeeping duties, including progress monitoring, as assigned by professional staff
• Seek assistance from other team members as needed to facilitate student progress
• Organize and prepare materials
• Demonstrate problem solving skills
• Participate in Emergency Safety Intervention (ESI) and Behavior Management Training
• Participate in professional development and training as required
• Demonstrate attitude that promotes a positive school environment
• Take responsibility for the quality of own work
• Share in school wide duties as assigned and which do not conflict with student time
• Provide short-term coverage for professional and paraprofessional peers
• Travel to/from schools as required by the job
• Other duties as assigned 

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions:

• Requires stooping, bending, kneeling, turning, and reaching.
• Requires prolonged sitting or standing.
• Must occasionally work in noisy and crowded environments, with numerous interruptions.

General Responsibilities: 

• Ability to prepare for classroom activities under the supervision of a licensed teacher.
• Ability to work with small groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher.
• Ability to assist individual children in need of special attention.
• Ability to perform clerical duties as required.
• Ability to guide independent study, enrichment work, and remedial work set up by the teacher.
• Ability to assist teacher with non-instructional classroom duties, such as snack, toilet, and clothing routines.
• Ability to assist with reading and storytelling.
• Ability to assist in drill work.
• Ability to observe and follow all school district policies at all times.
• Ability to respond to information requests in a cooperative, courteous, and timely manner.
• Ability to keep student and personnel information and records confidential.
• Ability to implement and follow all district health and safety policies, including all precautions of the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan.
• Ability to perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as directed by the principal or teacher.

Pre-Employment/Yearly Requirements: Employee shall meet all the pre-employment and yearly requirements as specified in the Policies of the Board of Education.

Term of Employment:    At will.

Salary: $15.00/hr, with increases for assignment type, related past employment experience and education

FLSA Status:  Non - Exempt; Hourly

Evaluation: Performance effectiveness will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of Board of Education Policy.