What are the responsibilities and job description for the Job Coach/Paraeducator position at Bucks County Intermediate Unit?
Job Description
Summary/Objective
Under the direction of the Transition Program Supervisor and in collaboration with the coordinator(s), job coaches support individuals with disabilities in developing, refining and generalizing skills necessary for successful employment.
As a Paraeducator is responsible for assisting the teacher/therapist in providing instruction and support to assigned students in an educational setting, which is designed to promote intellectual, behavioral, emotional, and social growth. Paraeducators can be assigned to individual students or to multiple students. All functions are performed under the direction of the teacher/therapist.
The position requires the employee to support students with a variety of needs, which may include individuals who exhibit aggressive behaviors and/or self-injurious behavior. The Paraeducator will be trained to meet the individual needs of the students that they are assigned to with the classroom or setting.
Essential Functions
Job Coach Responsbilities:
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 185- day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours of work will vary depending on assignment. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel: Travel or transport may be expected for this position.
Education And Experience
EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.
Primary Location
US-PA-Langhorne
Work Locations
Lower Southampton Early Learning Center
Job
Adult Services
Organization
Bucks IU Business Unit
Schedule
Full-time
Employee Status
Regular
Job Level
Non-Management
Travel
Yes, 25 % of the Time
Job Posting
Feb 18, 2025, 8:26:17 AM
Summary/Objective
Under the direction of the Transition Program Supervisor and in collaboration with the coordinator(s), job coaches support individuals with disabilities in developing, refining and generalizing skills necessary for successful employment.
As a Paraeducator is responsible for assisting the teacher/therapist in providing instruction and support to assigned students in an educational setting, which is designed to promote intellectual, behavioral, emotional, and social growth. Paraeducators can be assigned to individual students or to multiple students. All functions are performed under the direction of the teacher/therapist.
The position requires the employee to support students with a variety of needs, which may include individuals who exhibit aggressive behaviors and/or self-injurious behavior. The Paraeducator will be trained to meet the individual needs of the students that they are assigned to with the classroom or setting.
Essential Functions
Job Coach Responsbilities:
- Provides on site- job support so that student(s) can perform work duties
- Provides accommodations and adaptations to work site in order to facilitate student independence
- Maintains accurate student data ( hours worked, performance on job)
- Utilizes and assesses student preferences, skills, aptitudes, and strengths to identify potential employment opportunities
- Provides practice for employment preparation and job retention skills on the work site
- Accompanies students on the job search/ interview and may transport students occasionally
- May be trained, when qualified, to occasionally transport students
- Assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (e.g. feeding, grooming, bathing, toileting, diapering, etc.)
- Monitor the incidence and prevalence of designated health problems or medical conditions (e.g., seizure precautions or extreme lethargy)
- Accompany student on school bus or other vehicle
- Cue, redirect or monitor to ensure that the student performs ADL tasks when a cognitive impairment prevents a student from knowing when or how to carry out the task (e.g., a student may not be able to dress without instruction on how to do so or need reminders of what to do and when)
- Observe/monitor and redirect/intervention to assist with completion of ADL’s.
- Cue the student to pay attention, participate in activities and complete tasks.
- Participate in the implementation of each student's IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) and C.E.Rs (if applicable)
- Assist with data collection of student performance.
- Follow any individualized support plans that may be a part of a student’s educational program (e.g., behavior, communication, health, transportation). Track information about each student including needs, strengths, gains and problem areas
- Assist with setting up educational environment and preparing materials for instruction
- Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 185- day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours of work will vary depending on assignment. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel: Travel or transport may be expected for this position.
Education And Experience
- Valid Pennsylvania Driver's License required if transporting students
- Meet the designation of a Bucks IU “Highly Qualified” Paraeducator by showing evidence of at least one of the following:
- Associate or Bachelor Degree
- At least 48 college/university credits
- A high school diploma or equivalency and successfully pass a local assessment. (Bucks IU considers that a Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators from the Pennsylvania Department of Education meets this requirement for those individuals who do not have at least 48 college/universitycredits or an Associate or Bachelor Degree.).
- Experience working with students with disabilities is preferred.
- Processing software, email, sending attachments and tracking billing.
- CPR & First Aid Certification Required
- Crisis Prevention Institute Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training Required
- Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing
- Knowledge of disabilities preferred
- Ability to take initiative, establish and maintain working relationships with community businesses/ volunteer work sites
- Work effectively with individuals from a variety of educational, socio-economic, ethnic and disability groups
- Strong organization skills, must be accurate record keeper
EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.
Primary Location
US-PA-Langhorne
Work Locations
Lower Southampton Early Learning Center
Job
Adult Services
Organization
Bucks IU Business Unit
Schedule
Full-time
Employee Status
Regular
Job Level
Non-Management
Travel
Yes, 25 % of the Time
Job Posting
Feb 18, 2025, 8:26:17 AM
