Special Education Paraprofessional - Vacancy ID: 234780

Job Summary: Special education paraprofessionals work with students with one or more disabilities, including but not limited to intellectual, learning, speech/language, emotional/behavioral, physical, health-related, and autism. These positions assist with activities focused on learning and support based on the individual needs of students with disabilities and may assist students in other learning environments (i.e., playground, lunch room, etc.).

Grade Level(s): High School
Classification/Contract Days: Approximately 182 days (school year only)
Base Hourly Wage: Starting hourly wage is $15.53, based on experience
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-exempt

Relationships:
Direct Supervisor: Building Principal; also reports to Special Education Teacher
Works With: Administrators, Secretary, Teachers, Students, Parents/Guardians, and the Public

Essential Function:
-Provides for the physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities. Assist with the implementation of classroom programs including daily living skills, behavior management, and academic instruction, and ensuring that proper safety practices are followed at all times.

Responsibilities, Tasks & Duties:
-Carry out, independently, instructional and behavioral plans for students developed by professional staff.
-Work cooperatively in a variety of settings as a team member with all staff members.
-Work with children with a wide variety of abilities, including intellectual, physical, and emotionally challenging behaviors.

-Demonstrate ethical conduct and maintain the strictest confidence concerning personnel, students, and operational concerns of the organization.

-Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs (diapering), and personal hygiene.
-Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
-Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes the lunchroom, assisting students to and from transportation, and outside activities.
-Other duties as assigned (may include transportation).

Requirements:
- High school diploma or HSED/GED.
- Experience working with children in a structured setting is preferred.
- Must be able to staff the position on the scheduled workdays.
- Requires DPI Certification (Special Education Program Aide License # 883). May apply for a license after the position has been awarded.
- Must be willing, if needed, to maintain certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and CPR/First Aid Training certification.
- Must demonstrate competency with student-specific equipment and lifts/transfers after training by a skilled instructor within 10 working days of initial instruction.
- Possess basic computer literacy and/or willing to expand computer skills.
- Must be able to follow written and verbal directions as provided by teachers and administrators.
- In lieu of the above requirements, the district may consider appropriate alternatives.

Working Conditions/Environment:
- Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
- Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
- Ability to tolerate frequent disruptions of schedules and activities.
- Ability to work in environments with visual, auditory, and olfactory distractions.

Physical Requirement:
- Lift/Carry: Occasionally up to 50 lbs.
- Push/Pull: Occasionally up to 50 lbs.
- Bend/Kneel/Squat/Reach/Turn/Twist: Frequently
- Crawl/Climb Stairs/Reach Above Shoulder Level: Occasionally
- Sit/Walk: 2 hours daily (approx.)
- Stand: 3 hours daily (approx.)
- Ability to react quickly to a student's movement and behavior.
- Demonstrate proper body mechanics when lifting/transferring students who have physical disabilities.
- Ability to follow protocols for use of positioning and mechanical lifting equipment for use with students with physical disabilities.
- Ability to safely perform skilled one and two-person lifts and transfers.

The physical demands, work-environment characteristics, and qualifications described within this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.