Title:                           Special Education Paraprofessional 2020-2021-226

Reports to:                 Certified Special Ed Teacher, Principal, Special Services Director

School/Building:          Multiple locations - Saddle Peak, Middle School and High School

Status:                       Hourly Overtime eligible

                                 Shift:  8:00 – 4:00 Monday through Friday

Hourly Wage:             $13.04 - $14.25 DOE 

                           Working your family schedule and contributing to our local education community, 3% annual                                 increases along with negotiated cost of living increases.

                           Competitive benefit package and state retirement plan available

Essential Job Duties

• Assists instructional personnel with development of a variety of instructional materials.
• Assists in presentation of learning materials and instructional exercises in compliance with the student’s IEP.
• Tutors students individually or in small groups to reinforce and follow up learning activity.
• Monitors and assists students through drills, practice, and study activities following presentation of instructional concepts by instructional personnel.
• Assists in supervision of special education students in the classroom, on study trip activities, on the playground, and in bus duty, as directed.
• Listens to students reading, reads to students, explains words and meanings, rephrases materials, and provides similar learning examples.
• Assists students in their personal hygiene.
• Assists in management and shaping of student behavior through use of positive reinforcement strategies.
• Assists in maintaining student discipline.
• Assists in maintaining a variety of reports and records.
• Performs general clerical duties for instructional personnel.
• Assists in scoring tests; computes and records test scores.
• Assists in maintaining neat, orderly, and attractive learning environment, including designing and displaying bulletin boards. Perform routine clerical work.

Knowledge Skills Abilities

• Knowledge of general concepts of child growth, development, and behavior characteristics in special education programs assigned.
• Knowledge of special education goals and objectives.
• Basic arithmetic / mathematical concepts.
• Learn and utilize standard teaching aids, adaptive technology and office machines.
• Learn and utilize basic methods and procedures to be followed in instructional settings in special education programs of assignment.
• Demonstrate understanding, patient, warm, and receptive attitude toward children with special needs.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions in an effective manner.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff, parents, and general public.
• Ability to obtain an associate or higher degree or meet a rigorous standard of quality.
• Ability to handle stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of employment and student matters.
• Ability to effectively manage time and responsibilities.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students, parents, staff.

Required Qualifications

• Completion of at least two years of study at an institute of Higher Education.
• Demonstrates through a formal state or local academic assessment the knowledge of and ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and math;
• Successful experience teaching and working with special needs children/students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree in an education related field.
• One year paid or volunteer experience working with children in educational or child-care setting - preferably involving children with special needs.

Equipment

Computer, calculator, copier, telephone/voice mail, fax, special needs equipment including wheelchairs, lifts, etc.

Physical and Mental Demands and Work Hazards

• Regularly works inside but may be assigned to outside activities.
• Ability to meet deadlines with severe time constraints.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Ability to deescalate student behavior and react appropriately to protect oneself in situations where students become physically aggressive.
• Directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, depending on the nature of the assigned course. Frequently required to sit; occasionally walk and stand.
• Required to sit, walk, and stand; twist at neck, bend at waist; kneel; reach.
• Required to be able to hear conversations in quiet environments.
• May be required to lift or move up to 25 pounds on a regular basis with or without accommodations.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to hear conversations in quiet environments.
• Exercises flexibility (ability to shift from one task to another).
• Guidance and reinforcement are infrequently unavailable.
• Works within time constraints and maintains attentiveness intensity.
• Involved in social interactions which require oral and written communications.

The duties, physical demands, work-environment characteristics, and mental/motor demands described within this vacancy announcement are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with compliance with the American with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.