26-27 Adams Behavior Technician

Position Areas

Instructional Support

Description

Job Title: Special Education Paraprofessional

Application Notice:
When applying for this position, please note that if you are recommended for hire, you will be required to apply for Tier 1 certification prior to the start of employment. The certification fee is $12.00 and is paid directly to the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Norman Public Schools personnel will provide detailed instructions during the employee processing phase.

Credentials

Tier 1 (Title I) Paraprofessional Requirements
(Applicant must meet at least one of the following):

• Completed two years of study at an institution of higher education (minimum of 48 hours of college coursework); or
• Obtained an associate's degree (or higher); or
• Taken and passed the WorkKeys, ParaPro, or Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET).

Oklahoma Special Education Paraprofessional Certificate — or a willingness to complete the Tier 2 (Special Education) Paraprofessional Requirements and obtain the Oklahoma Special Education Paraprofessional Certificate within 120 days of employment.

Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination.

Tier 2 (Special Education) Paraprofessional Requirements

(All of the following must be completed to obtain and maintain certification):

• Complete the Oklahoma Special Education Paraprofessional Training at a Career Tech Center, state-approved LEA training, or training modules in PEPPER.
• Complete and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Complete training in Universal Precautions/Bloodborne Pathogens.
• Complete an additional six (6) hours of professional development in Universal Precautions/Bloodborne Pathogens each school year following initial certification.

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• College hours are preferred and may assist in meeting Tier 1 Paraprofessional Requirements.

Training/Experience Required

• Must meet Tier 1 Paraprofessional Requirements.
• Previous work or volunteer experience with children, teenagers, or clerical duties preferred.

Reports to: Building Principal

Contract: 175 Days

Salary Schedule: Teacher's Assistant

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Position Summary: 

This position is responsible for assisting teacher(s) to provide instruction to individuals or small groups of students with behavior challenges; administer behavior modification and de-escalation techniques to support instruction, increase participation in academic tasks, improve social skills and support appropriate behavior of individuals and/or small groups of students some with special needs; redirect and modify student progress regarding inappropriate behaviors and performance; participate as a member of the educational team; help implement all components of the student's individual program; perform a variety of clerical duties as assigned;   

Education:High school diploma or GED 

Passing score on the paraprofessional exam or Oklahoma General Educations Test (OGET) required  

Experience:

• Experience working with children/teenagers who have behavior challenges
• Experience working with students with special needs
• De-escalation experience
• Successful experience working in an intervention setting as well as the classroom

 Knowledge of:

• Behavior modification and de-escalation techniques
• Social interaction skills of students with special needs
• Basic subjects taught in the district school
• Safe practices in classroom and playground activities. 
• Basic first aid and CPR procedures
• Health and safety regulations pertaining to position
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary
• Oral and written communications skills
• Interpersonal relations skills using tact, patience, and courtesy
• Basic record-keeping skills
• District policies, rules, and regulations
• Ability to:
• Develop rapport and interact effectively with students
• Demonstrate an understanding, patience and receptive attitude toward children with special needs
• Apply behavior modification and de-escalation techniques
• Work with students having special needs and/or aggressive behaviors
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Maintain emotional control under difficult situations
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others
• Maintain confidentiality
• Assist with the instructional and related activities of a learning environment
• Perform clerical duties such as charting performance, filing and maintaining simple records
• Print and write legibly
• Make arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Learn and follow laws, rules, practices, policies and procedures
• Enlist the support, interest and participation of students
• Appropriately manage student behavior and guide student toward more acceptable social behaviors
• Implement positive behavioral intervention plans
• Model appropriate behavioral techniques
• Learn and adapt to new procedures, conditions, and changing work demands
• Supervise children in the classroom and outside
• Follow oral and written directions
• Manage task priorities to meet deadlines
• Work under varying degrees of stress
• Be physically agile and possess sufficient strength and stamina to work with children who may be prone to sudden flight or aggression.
•  Essential Job Functions:
• Assists in providing instruction to behaviorally challenged individuals or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher
• Works one-on-one with students with serious behavioral needs
• Actively participates in behavior intervention meetings and IEP or 504 meetings as appropriate
• Collects data and records anecdotal student progress notes and maintains behavioral charting data
• Monitors and assists students in prescribed learning activities
• Reduce and redirect inappropriate behavior
• Report progress regarding student behavior and performance.
• Assists students and parents by providing proper examples, emotional support and general guidance as directed
• Communicates with teachers regarding programs and materials to meet student needs
• Follows health and safety practices and regulations
• Assists students in developing self-help and self-advocacy skills as directed.
• Assists in implementing specialized student plans (IEP, BIP, 504) as needed.
• Provides assistance with de-escalating student behaviors and reintegration back into the classroom
• Assist the instructional staff in supervising students inside and outside the classroom as assigned.
• Follows Board policies and district procedures
• Escort students to and from designated locations as assigned; may accompany students to recess, lunch and on field trips as assigned. 
• Tutor individuals or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction and behavior as directed by the teachers 
• Participate in meetings, training, and professional development as assigned
• Observe, change, alter, and improve the social interaction skills of students with special needs according to behavior modification techniques
• Assist students by providing proper examples, behavioral intervention, emotional support and general guidance in the school setting 
• Confer and review with teachers, instructional personnel, behavior specialists and psychologists regarding collected data, programs, and materials to meet student needs 
• May assist students with washing, eating, toileting, and other personal care needs 
• When appropriate, may assist students in developing self-sufficiency skills related to personal hygiene 
• Assist assigned teacher and certificated personnel with the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEP's) 
• Provide routine first aid to injured students according to established procedures as needed
• Maintains appropriate documentation, records, and reports
• Support students through transition into new education settings
• Must always maintain confidentiality
• Performs other duties as assigned.
•  Additional Physical Requirements:
• Ability to provide physical care for assigned student(s)
• Ability to perform physical restraint as needed following correct procedures 
•  Licenses and Other Requirements:
• Must obtain de-escalation techniques training and keep certification up-to-date