Special Education Paraprofessional

Special Education Paraprofessional

The Special Education Paraprofessional works under the day-to-day direction of certified teachers to carry out a variety of instructional and/or support duties and assist in maintaining appropriate and safe learning environments for children with special needs (medical and/or disability) in special education settings.

Essential functions include:

• Guide and assist students in implementation of lessons, activities, daily living skills, technology tasks and similar under the direction of certified staff;
• Individually or in small groups of students, reinforce and re-teach concepts and skills introduced by certified staff;
• Observe, record, and collect data on student behavior and academic progress as directed by certified staff;
• Implement positive reinforcement systems as trained and directed by certified staff;
• Assist certified staff with implementation of the student Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIP);
• Implement accommodations and modifications as indicated by the IEP;
• Assist students with activities of daily living including toileting, dressing, grooming, eating and similar activities;
• Support the development of student communication skills and assist with augmentative and alternative communication supports as directed by certified staff including the Speech Language Pathologist;
• Keep students on task and use redirection techniques for individual and groups of students;
• Monitor student behavior in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, lunchrooms and other school environments and intervene as trained and directed by certified staff;
• With training and under the supervision of School Nurse and certified staff accompany, support and carry out health plans with medically fragile students;
• Assist in transferring, positioning and mobility needs as directed by the physical therapist, occupational therapist and other certified staff;
• Willing and able to physically restrain students with help of others if a student's behavior escalates to a potentially dangerous level;
• Facilitate interaction between students and model, reinforce and re-teach social skills concepts;
• Maintain clean and safe work environment;
• Provides good public relations and customer service with member districts, staff, parents and the general public;
• Follows all policies and regulations;
• Regular and prompt attendance is essential;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of a Paraprofessional;
• Ability to demonstrate confidentiality;
• Ability to physically restrain a student with help of others if a student's behavior escalates to a potentially dangerous level;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and staff;
• Ability to handle every day, reoccurring basic assignments and problems;
• Ability to apply regular and repetitive procedures;
• Ability to read, interpret and collect basic workplace data;
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both orally and in writing;
• Ability to communicate positively about the agency at all times;
• Ability to work with students individually and work in small groups;
• Ability to write clearly and concisely;
• Ability to use modern office equipment, technology, and related software.

Education and experience required:

• High School Diploma or GED.

Licenses, certificates, and registrations:

Paraprofessional Level 1

• To be considered highly qualified, Paraprofessionals must provide: Proof of meeting the requirements set forth below:
• A minimum of 60 semester credits or the amount required to complete two years of full-time enrollment as determined by the higher education institution, OR
• An Associate's (or higher) degree, i.e. AA, AS, AAS degree, OR
• Passing score (80% or better) on SWWC Level 1 skills assessment by the end of the introductory period; and Successfully passing the Para Educator test through Master Teacher test.
• Proof of Professional Care Assistant (PCA)/CFSS certification; new paraprofessional must be certified within two weeks of hire date; and
• Successfully obtain PCM certification through training provided by SWWC.

Paraprofessional Level 2

• Must be considered highly qualified as a Level 1 Paraprofessional for at least 1 year;
• Passing score (80% or better) on SWWC Level 2 skills assessment;
• No unexcused absences within previous year;
• Performance evaluation of proficient in all areas within previous year;

Supervision:

• Work is performed under the supervision of the Site Administrator of Educational Learning Centers with general direction from certified staff;
• No supervisory responsibilities.

Working conditions:

• Business travel may be required;
• Work may require long hours including early morning, evening, and weekend activities;
• Work is performed during the traditional school year and may include some additional days during the summer;
• This is medium work requiring the exertion of over 60 pounds of force occasionally, and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; work requires stooping, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information through normal spoken word; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, inspections involving small defects and/or small parts, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions and may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens.