Early Childhood Special
Education Paraprofessional
Reports to: Teacher/Building
Administration/Director of Special
Services/Superintendent
Evaluated by: Building-level
Administration
Terms of
Employment: Rate of pay and
work year to be established by the Superintendent and approved
by the
Board of Education
Job Goal: To be qualified
for this position, an individual must be able to perform each
essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed
below represent the knowledge, skills, and essential abilities
required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform essential
functions.
Essential Duties and
Responsibilities
Employee must assist student(s)
during the school day in and outside of the classroom.
Employee must:
1.
Be able to prioritize work with
minimal supervision
2.
Be dependable - follow through on
assignments
3.
Manage time efficiently
4.
Be able to implement student
activities as directed by certified staff.
5.
Must circulate in the classroom to
provide support to all students in the learning environment with
priority given to students with identified needs
6.
Assist in reinforcing class/school
wide behavior system
7.
Must appropriately follow/implement
components of student plans:
*visual schedules, sensory diets,
behavior intervention plans, etc.
8.
Collect data on progress toward
goals/objectives as directed by the case manager
9.
Use a professional approach to
difficult interpersonal interactions
10.
Cooperate with others and work as a
team to complete tasks
11.
Respect the dignity, rights, and
privacy of every child at all times
12.
Maintain strict confidentiality at
all times
13.
Performs other duties as assigned
by administration
Supervisory Duties
This position does not require
the employee to supervise other staff members.
Qualifications
Sixty hours of college credit is
preferred. Completion of formal education in areas of
child development and educational practices is preferred but
not required. Minimum educational requirement is
successful
completion of Para-Pro Praxis competency
assessment. Previous experience working with
children in a learning environment is preferred but not
required. Participation in on-going professional
development will be required.
Language
The employee must be proficient
in reading, writing, and speaking the English language.
Technology
The employee must be proficient
in basic computer skills including but not limited to
utilization of email and Microsoft Office programs.
Physical Demands
Pushing/Pulling - Employee must be able
to push a wheelchair throughout the building, including
ramps, and onto a bus ramp and load the chair into place on
the bus. Employee must be able to pull/tighten straps
on bus to secure wheelchair using approximately 25 lbs of
force.
Standing/Walking - Employee must
be able to walk at least 200 feet with an active student
(keeping him/her within arm's reach as needed). The
employee must be able to go with a student (or students) to all
classrooms in all parts of the building, including stairs and
outdoor sidewalks. Be able to stand for 5 to 6 hours
daily.
Hearing - Employee must be able
to have sufficient hearing ability to listen to instructions
delivered by a teacher in a classroom or in noisy
hallways.
Speaking - Employee will need to
speak clearly in a voice sufficient to be heard and understood
by students and teachers.
Seeing - Employee will need to
have sufficient vision to be able to read education materials
up close as well as chalkboard from back of class room.
Bending/Lifting - Employee must
be able to lift a child of up to 50 pounds. Be able to
bend to lock wheelchair into place. Be able to assist
other adults in transferring students from wheelchair to
toilet/therapy mat and back. Be able to bend, kneel, or
squat on the floor as needed to interact with students.
Other - Be able to assist
students in the restroom with changing
clothing/diapers/pull-ups and other self-help tasks as
needed. Additionally, staff must be able to assist
with physical redirection/potential restraints as allowed by
district policy and individual student plans.
Attendance
Good attendance and punctuality
are necessary to give stability to students with special
needs.
Conditions & Environment
The environments the employee
should be prepared for are noisy classrooms, outdoor settings
(including rain/snow, heat/cold), and riding school bus with
students as needed.