PARAEDUCATOR

Paraeducator

Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities. The Louisiana Special School District is looking for a PARAEDUCATOR. This position is housed at the Central Louisiana Supports & Services Center, located in Alexandria, LA. The position will support the provision of Special Education Services to meet the legally mandated educational needs of the exceptional student which may impede the student's educational and/or behavioral performance.

The Louisiana Special Schools do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in our programs and activities, and we provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination may be referred to Human Resources Director.

RELEASE OF ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION INFORMATION: La. R.S. 17:3884(D) requires that any school board wishing to hire a person who has been assessed or evaluated pursuant to the Children First Act, La. R.S. 17:3871, et seq., whether that person is already employed by that school system or not, shall request such person's assessment and evaluation results as part of the application process. Please be advised that, as part of the mandated process, your previous assessment and evaluation results will be requested. You have the opportunity to apply, review the information received, and provide any response or information you deem appropriate.

Physical Activity Level: The employee must be able to perform assigned duties without significant risk of substantial harm to his/her own safety/security and the safety/security of others. Some work is performed in physically comfortable positions with little or light physical effort, and some work requires moderate effort. Lifting thirty to forty pounds may be required and brief periods of heavy muscular exertion may be required. Physical requirements are subject to reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA standards. There is no guarantee that everyone who applies to this posting will be interviewed. Specific information about this job will be provided to you in the interview process, should you be selected. No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy. To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants can check the status of their application at any time by selecting the 'Application Status' link after logging into their account. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. You must include all relevant education and experience on your official State application. Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application or faxed to View phone number on click.appcast.io. The selected candidates will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Passed the Educational testing Service (ETS) Para-Pro Assessment [ETS Para Pro Assessment (#0755) passing score: 450]; OR
• Completed two years of full-time study (48 semester credit hours) from a state approved or regionally accredited institution of higher education; OR
• Earned an Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science degree from a state-approved or regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Note: Within the 48 semester hours, the paraprofessional must complete a total of 18 hours of general education requirements that include English Composition (3), English/Reading (6) and Mathematics (9). For the remaining 30 hours of coursework, acceptance of credit for a course shown on a transcript from an approved higher education institution is left to school district discretion in addressing the needs of the specific job. Discipline-specific electives may include as many as 12 hours of developmental (remedial) courses.

Job Specification

I. General Responsibilities The job of an SSD paraeducator involves duties that may vary in methods, procedures and emphasis depending on the particular program in which the paraeducator is assigned. The paraeducator assists with the teaching, learning and training activities being provided for students and performs other duties as assigned by the teacher, principal, regional coordinator or designated central office staff. Paraeducators do not assume complete responsibilities for instruction or classroom supervision. The paraeducator must agree to adhere to all SSD policies and procedures.

1. Supervision during the prescribed working hours is received from the assigned SSD teacher.
2. The paraeducator will participate in ongoing in-service training programs and achieve a level of competence required by Special School District, the facility and BESE.

III. Classroom Duties The Paraeducator will assist teachers by:

1. Duplicating, collecting and disseminating materials for activities;
2. Assisting with transportation of students to and from scheduled school activities as assigned or according to set policy. (Transportation may include pushing, loading, lifting wheelchairs, strollers, etc.);
3. Assisting with implementing of classroom activities at the discretion of the teacher, including computer assisted instruction and other technology-based activities. (Assistance in activities may involve lifting, pushing, supporting, etc. of students);
4. Maintaining classroom organization, (e.g., materials, supplies, equipment, bulletin boards);
5. Assisting in preparing instructional materials (e.g., cards, charts);
6. Working with large or small groups as the teacher designates;
7. Assisting the teacher with tracking students (e.g., calling the residence area if the student is not in school, walking or assisting the student to the restroom);
8. Maintaining the organization and the physical appearance of the room;
9. Assisting in the monitoring of student behavior while in school;
10. Providing supervision in the classroom when the teacher is out of the room for short periods of time;
11. Assisting with or providing personal hygiene and feeding when appropriate; and,
12. Responding to emergency situations such as student restraint, CPR, first aid, etc., as necessary.

IV. Assigned Administrative Duties

1. Accurate and timely completion of district and state reporting forms with appropriate documentation attached
2. Enters information electronically with minimum audit findings (LaGov, JPAMS, etc.)
3. Maintains organized and appropriate records
4. Communicates effectively with staff

V. Other Duties The paraeducator will:

1. Attend faculty, facility and other meetings as required, and
2. Assist in student activities, special projects and/or school events on and off campus.

Benefits

Benefits for unclassified employees are determined by the individual hiring authority.