Special Education Paraeducator

Paraeducator, Special Education

Thunder Valley K-8 has a vision of highest academic achievement for all. We achieve this through academic excellence, strength of character, and community partnerships. A K-8 school in SVVS ensures a high quality education for all. This is accomplished, in part, by offering a seamless transition from kindergarten through eighth grade, as well as, building long-term relationships with students and families. In addition, our social emotional curriculum enhances climate and culture by promoting the strengths of each individual student.

St. Vrain Valley Schools values the health and well-being of its employees and seeks to establish and maintain a culture of health and wellness that encourages and supports healthy behaviors, a sense of community and an improved quality of life. As part of that commitment, the district offers a choice of medical plans and access to comprehensive wellness programming. Substitute, Seasonal, Extra Duty, and Temporary Positions are Eligible for PERA (Pension) and the District Employee Assistance Program (EAP). All other regular positions are eligible for PERA (Pension), Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance and Optional Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Health Reimbursement Accounts, Wellness Programs, Flexible Spending Accounts, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, and Short-term Disability. For more Benefit information, please check out the New Hire Benefits Enrollment Guide

Job Description

Job Title: Paraeducator, Special Education FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Family: Paraeducator Pay Range: 6

Pay Program: Classified Work Calendar: 177 days

Prepared/Revised Date: June 2015

Summary: Under the direction of a Licensed Teacher(s), assist students in general education and special education classrooms by reinforcing and adapting instruction and assignments, enforcing social and acceptable behaviors, monitoring students, assisting with behavior management and crisis situations, performing clerical duties; maintaining an environment that promotes and supports student independence; and encouraging student to meet their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals.

Participate in appropriate in-services, professional development, meetings, trainings and/or school functions as required. May assist with the physical care and needs of students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The frequency and percentage of time of duties may vary based on building or department assignment.

% of Job Tasks Descriptions Frequency Time

1. Assist students in general education and special education classrooms. Using teacher prepared materials and organizing for instructional purposes; reinforcing and adapting instruction and assignments; enforcing social and acceptable behaviors; and monitoring students between classrooms, during breaks, in lunchroom, on playground, etc. Maintain an environment that promotes and supports student independence, and encourage students to meet their IEP goals.

2. Monitor and assist with behavior management and crisis situations, often involving physically aggressive students. Mentor, support and assist students based on behavior observations. Duties may include practicing and promoting stress reduction techniques, and assist with physical restraint, problem solving, behavior rehearsal, and debriefing and transition management. Ensure student safety at all times, including emotional, physical, behavioral and cognitive support.

3. May assist with the physical care and needs of students, including hygiene; feeding; toileting; following health/dietary plans; and, under the direction of a licensed staff member, implementing specialized therapy programs.

4. Perform clerical duties, such as collecting and entering data, maintaining and updating records, keyboarding, etc.

5. Participate in appropriate in-services, professional development, meetings, trainings and/or school functions as required.

6. Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Related Work Experience

• High school diploma, completion of G.E.D., or equivalent, and
• Must meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements:
• Associate's degree or 2 year college degree, OR
• Completion of 48 college semesters hours, OR
• Passing of Colorado Department of Education (CDE) approved paraprofessional examination.
• No experience required. Experience working in health care, working with children with various learning and physical disabilities and/or working with children in a school setting preferred.

Licenses, Registrations or Certifications

• Criminal background check required for hire.
• CPR and First Aid certifications required within 1 month after hire.
• Universal Precautions and Medication Administration certifications required within 1 month after hire.

Technical Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Oral and written communication skills.
• English language skills.
• Interpersonal relations skills.
• Basic math skills.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to diffuse and manage volatile and stressful situations.
• Ability to work with students with diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies, Superintendent policies and building and department procedures.
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.
• Ability and willingness to adhere to attendance requirements and to follow district procedures for absence reporting. Regular attendance is an essential function of the position and necessary for the efficient operation of the business. Employees are expected to be on time and punctual for work, conforming to established work hours. It is recognized that there are times when a person must be absent due to illness or other reasons.

Materials and Equipment Operating Knowledge

• Basic operating knowledge of and experience with personal computers and peripherals.
• Basic operating knowledge of and experience with office productivity software.
• Operating knowledge of and experience with typical office equipment, such as telephones, copier, fax machine, E-mail, etc.
• Providers must fulfill the NPI requirement in order to participate in Random Moment of Time Studies for Medicaid billing.

Reporting Relationships & Direction/Guidance

Position Title

Reports to: Building Principal and/or Classroom Teacher

Direct reports: This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

• Responsible for supervising the behavior and well-being of students in the classroom, between classrooms, during breaks, in lunchroom, on playground, etc.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

The physical demands, work environment factors and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Activities: Amount of Time

None Under 1/3 1/3 to 2/3 Over 2/3

Stand X Walk X Sit X Use hands to finger, handle or feel X Reach with hands and arms X

Paraeducator, Special Education Page 2 of 4 Climb or balance X Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl X Talk X Hear X Taste X Smell X

Weight and Force Demands: Amount of Time

None Under 1/3 1/3 to 2/3 Over 2/3

Up to 10 pounds X Up to 25 pounds X Up to 50 pounds X Up to 100 pounds X (team lift) More than 100 pounds X (team lift)

Mental Functions: Amount of Time

None Under 1/3 1/3 to 2/3 Over 2/3

Compare X Analyze X Communicate X Copy X Coordinate X Instruct X Compute X Synthesize X Evaluate X Interpersonal Skills X Compile X Negotiate X