ECSE Paraprofessional

Special Education Paraprofessional

A special education paraprofessional, under the supervision of a licensed special education teacher, provides direct and indirect support to students with special needs ages Birth through age 21. The duties and responsibilities of a special education paraprofessional will vary based on the developmental needs and age of the students served.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions of this position may include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties:

• Serve as a contributing member of the special education team.
• Support academic programs designed by special and general education teachers including leading small groups, providing one-to-one follow-up, re-teaching/review, and keeping students on task.
• Provide support to enhance student success and independence through implementation of Individual Education Program (IEP) adaptations and accommodations. (e.g., taking notes in class, reading materials aloud, utilizing technology, implementing organizational tools).
• Provide feedback to special education teachers about general education class activities, assignments, student participation, and behavior.
• Promote a positive learning environment and advocates for student needs.
• Facilitate interactions between students with disabilities and classmates.
• Support development of individual communication, social and functional skills.
• Implement individual student behavior plans including providing positive reinforcement, assisting with self-regulation and behavior de-escalation, assisting students to transition from general education classrooms and other school settings when behaviors are interfering with learning, and implementing safe restraint procedures when required.
• Collect student data as directed by special education teacher.
• Assist students with mobility which may include toileting/changing diapers, lifting and transferring students, helping with dressing, assisting students with adaptive equipment.
• Accompany students during school-related community outings which may include driving a district vehicle.
• Support activities of daily living (assisting with eating/feeding, hygiene, dressing skills, and toileting/diapering).
• Maintain student and family data privacy and confidentiality.
• Other duties as assigned. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Duties and responsibilities may be modified or assigned as necessary to meet the operational needs of the District, consistent with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, and reasonable accommodation requirements.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

1. Participate in conferences and school activities beyond the regular work day, when requested by special education teacher and approved by special education administrator.

2. Participate in district-wide professional development including Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) training when required for position.

3. Supervise special education students in lunchroom and during recess as assigned.

Required Qualifications (Specific training or job experience required before appointment):

• AA degree or minimum of 60 college credits from an accredited U.S. institution or a successful para pro test or ParaEducator Assessment required. Additional post-secondary training relevant to children/adolescents/young adults preferred.
• Flexibility within the work environment.
• Able to work with small and large groups, one-to-one, and in multiple school settings.
• Strong communication skills with students and adults.
• Skilled in use of various computer programs (word processing, PowerPoint, excel) and with technology used by students (iPads, smartphones).
• Strong language, math and reading skills.
• Willingness to accept direction from supervising teacher(s) and administrators.
• Ability to cope with change and with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Ability to move quickly from sitting to standing position and to follow students at a fast pace, when needed.
• Ability to obtain PCA certification from the Department of Human Services.

Employee is required to:

• Never Occasionally Frequently Continuously
• Stand X
• Walk X
• Sit X
• Use hands dexterously (use fingers to handle, feel) X
• Reach with hands and arms X
• Climb or balance X
• Stoop/kneel/crouch or crawl X
• Talk, see and hear X
• Taste or smell X
• Physical (lift and carry): Up to 10 pounds X
• Up to 25 pounds X
• Up to 50 pounds X
• Up to 75 pounds X
• More than 100 pounds X

Date: 10/12/20026

Revised: 9/3/2013, 7/1/2020, 7/24/2023