Pre-Apprentice/Paraeducator: Upper Bucks County

Come work for the Bucks IU! A great opportunity to be part of a collaborative work environment with excellent employee benefit plan options, PSERS pension plan and a flexible, school calendar work schedule.

Job Summary

A Pre-Apprentice Paraeducator is responsible for assisting the teacher in providing instruction and support to assigned students in an educational setting. Paraeducators may be assigned to individual students or multiple students. All functions are performed under the direction of the teacher. 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 Pre-Apprentice Paraeducator will participate in a five-week training program. While working as a paraeducator, these staff would receive an additional 5-6 hours of training per week on a variety of educational topics, including applied behavior analysis. Training will be completed outside of program hours through a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous online workshops. Successful participants who complete this training program will obtain a paraeducator credential of competency from the Bureau of Special Education and will continue full-time employment in Bucks IU early childhood or school age special education classrooms.

Essential Functions

• Provide one-on-one or small group support to students
• Assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional and/or other materials
• Act as a liaison in communicating with teacher and other IU and district staff regarding ongoing needs of students
• Provide support across all educational settings; escort and supervise students to various locations across all educational settings
• Assist the student to use equipment including augmentative communication devices
• Assist a student to ambulate, position, and transfer
• Assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (e.g. feeding, grooming, bathing, toileting, diapering, etc.)
• Collect student progress monitoring data under the direction of Bucks IU staff
• Cue, redirect, monitor and intervene to ensure that the student performs tasks
• Follow any individualized support plans that may be a part of a student’s educational program (e.g., behavior, communication, health, transportation)
• Provide direct instruction under the guidance of the teacher
  
  

Other Duties: This position description does not express, nor does it imply that the above duties are the only duties to be performed by the incumbent(s) in this position. Additional duties may be assigned by the Administrator of the department, as needed, to adapt to the changing needs of the organization.

Competencies

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in-group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Contributes to profits and revenue; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Promotes a harassment-free environment.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibility: No direct supervisory responsibilities.

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 are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hours are dependent on the needs of the districts. 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

• Level of Degree: High school diploma or GED equivalent. Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Experience working with students with disabilities is preferred
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office application
• Strong desire to work with individuals with special needs
• Ability to follow direction and receive feedback from mentor teacher
• Communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders
  
  

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable): Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States required.

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-Quakertown

Work Locations

Itinerant Upper County

Job

Classroom Support-Teacher Assistant/Paraeducator-Lower Bucks

Organization

Bucks IU Business Unit

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Mar 3, 2025, 6:16:36 AM