Special Education Paraprofessional

SUMMARY:
Provides one-on-one or small group support to special education students in various school environments, including instructional support, behavior management, health and medical support, assisting students with activities of daily living, and communicating student academic behavioral successes and concerns. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.

• Works with individual students or in small groups to reinforce learning of materials or skills initially introduced and outlined by certified staff.
• Assists the certified staff in devising special strategies for reinforcing learning materials and skills based on sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities.
• Supervises students in instructional spaces, mainstream classes, lunchroom, hall, locker room, playground, on field trips, entering and exiting the bus, swimming pool, and motor room with or without licensed staff present.
• Observes in the classroom and documents students’ academic and social behaviors.
• Meets regularly with mainstream teachers regarding student’s academic progress.
• Communicates, formally and informally, issues regarding student to social workers, nurses, C.D. counselor, and other support staff in school.
• Participates in student IEP (individual education plan) meetings; provides feedback on student progress.
• Participates in developing new goals for student; implements and creates curriculum modifications that will help student achieve these goals.
• Collects and charts data concerning student goals, objectives, and behavioral incidents.
• Implements programs recommended by physical/occupational therapist and speech/language pathologists.
• Follows third party billing protocol and procedures as directed.
• Reinforces positive student behavior.
• Assists with de-escalation, redirection, and observation monitoring.
• Assists with development and implementation of behavior plans.
• Assists with self-help skills including feeding, dressing, and toileting.
• Assists with mobility problems, including lifting and moving students.
• Provides health and medical services delegated and assigned by licensed health care professional.
• Assist with daily life management, including meal planning & preparation, managing finances, shopping for food, and communicating by telephone and other media.
• Assists or carry out medical procedures, such as catheterizing, tubal feeding, hearing aids, or dispense medications as directed by school nurse.
• Promotes and supports the overall mission of the District by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with public and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment. 

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience:

• Two (2) years post-secondary education OR a passing ParaPro Score.
• One (1) year of experience working with children.
• OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. 

Required Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:
Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.

• Driver’s license

Required Knowledge and Skills
Required Knowledge:

• Classroom policies, procedures and processes.
• Methods and techniques to assist students in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Methods and techniques for working with students with disabilities and special needs.
• Local community resources and regional community services programs. 
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Required Skills:

• Monitoring and improving student behavior and learning skills.
• Assisting children and special needs students and assessing educational needs.
• Maintaining composure and working effectively under classroom conditions. 
• Reacting quickly to situations that could create personal stress and safety problems.
• Communicating effectively with children.
• Following verbal and written instructions.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities. 
• Commitment to the District mission, which is to ensure high quality, innovative, challenging education where all learners are valued and respected.
• Performing assigned responsibilities in a manner consistent with the District’s established Core Values.
• Advancing the District’s mission and values through careful attention to the key issues of Learning, Environment, and Resources.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Work is performed in a classroom environment, with moderate physical requirements; a job in this category requires stamina to walk or stand to a significant degree, working with special needs children; strength to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; vision to read printed materials and computer screens; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.  

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a school setting.
Occasional travel required to locations throughout the District.