Paraprofessional

Paraprofessional

This class is accountable for assisting teachers and/or other certified staff with direct instructional support and general supervision and management of students. A Paraprofessional, under the direct supervision of the teacher and/or other certified staff, works as a collaborative member of an instructional team in general and special education; and provides physical and emotional care and comfort to students.

Salary: $17.02 ~ $22.54 / Hour (NOTE: NEW HIRES START AT THE BEGINNING OF RANGE)

Fringe Benefits: Choose from available health insurance plans (employee contributions vary) Prescription Drug Rider, Dental Plan, Group Life Insurance for Individual; Retirement Plan; paid Holidays; paid Vacation; paid Sick Leave; paid Personal Days.

Applications: May be obtained by visiting our website at or at the Civil Service Office, Chase Municipal Building, 236 Grand St., Waterbury, CT 06702.

Examples of Work: Assists teachers and/or other professional educators in the delivery of instructional and related support services to students; Assists with the instruction of students in academic subjects; Confers with special and general education practitioners about student schedules, instructional goals, progress and performance; Implements service plans and educational objectives for children; Demonstrates techniques to stimulate cognitive, physical, and social and language development; Uses developmentally appropriate materials and instructional interventions for curriculum activities; Participates in transitional planning and vocational assessment of students; Supports pre-employment, vocational or transitional training in classrooms or at off-campus sites; Operates computers and uses technology and adaptive equipment that will enable students with special needs to participate in general education; Gathers and maintains data about the performance and behavior of individual students; Motivates students to work; Assists in meeting the hygiene, toileting, feeding and the mobility needs of students with varying disabilities; Implements behavior modification techniques and the ability to manage disturbing behaviors through physical restraint when needed; Regular attendance; Does other related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Good knowledge of the techniques required in caring for and instruction of students enrolled in general, and special education; some knowledge of human development including risk factors; good communication and interpersonal skills; ability to follow directions and to carry out assignments; excellent physical and mental condition; good character; good knowledge of first aid; sensitivity to needs of children and youth.

In order to be considered for this position you must indicate on your application that as of the closing date you have the following required experience & training: High School diploma or GED; AND 1. 60 college credits OR 2. An Associate's (or higher) degree, OR 3. Have passed the Praxis ParaPro Assessment Test Regardless of which of the Three (3) options above is utilized, you must also have One (1) year experience working with or training to work with children with disabilities is required. College credits with emphasis on child growth and development or related areas, is preferred. Proficiency in reading, writing and speaking English and Spanish is required for those individuals desiring a bilingual assignment.

Working Conditions, Physical and Mental Requirements Employees appointed to positions in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties of the class. This work is generally conducted indoors within an educational setting such as classrooms, but occasionally is conducted outdoors and on field trips outside of the school room settings. The essential functions of this position can require physical contact with students for the purposes of executing trained physical restraints during student crisis periods and assisting students with personal hygiene needs. Reasonable accommodations requests will be considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA). A physical examination may be required.