What are the responsibilities and job description for the Para Professional position at Chicago Commons Association?

This position is located at NIA Family Center, 744 N. Monticello Avenue, Chicago, IL 60624

I. Position Summary

A paraprofessional works collaboratively with the teaching team to provide support to students with inclusive care needs, fostering a successful classroom experience

II. Education & Certification Requirements

High school diploma or a high school equivalence certificate and experience working with children with inclusive care needs. Some Child Development / Early Childhood coursework preferred.

III. Experience & Training

Must be organized and detail oriented.
Excellent problem-solving skills.
Must exude patience when implementing techniques to support students.
Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with others.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
Required to speak and read English proficiently, bilingual a plus.
Ability to travel between two program sites.

IV. Desired Outcomes

Work with direct supervisor on a yearly professional development plan. Identifies own learning needs and takes the steps necessary to develop skills and set challenging goals.

Initialize knowledge of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to implement strategies to assist children with inclusive care needs, ensuring positive learning experiences.

Fully implement the Reggio Emilia approach to create rich learning experiences for children with inclusive care needs.

Ability to demonstrate ethical behaviors in all activities and interactions.

Keep work area clean, safe, and secure.

V. Essential Job Requirement & Duties

Serve in classrooms with pre-diagnosed preschool children with severe to moderate disabilities in Head Start / Child Care collaboration programs.

Engage in positive interaction with other members of the classroom including therapists, family members, administrators, and other paraprofessionals.

Assist classroom staff in assuring the safety and well-being of all children in classroom.

Assist classroom staff in implementing classroom curriculum.

Implement classroom teachers individualized instruction for assigned children.

Provide support with annual classroom transitions as applicable.

Participate in team meetings.

Assist classroom staff in supervision and interaction with children on fieldtrips and neighborhood walks.

Always maintains a positive attitude regardless of the situation.

Maintains confidentiality regarding client and staff's personal information.

Works well with others, offering help when needed and seeking assistance when necessary.

Handle conflicts with clients or staff in a way that results in others feeling respected and valued.

Communicate with parents, students and coworkers in a manner that ensures concern about their well-being by treating all with respect, integrity, and dignity without regard to background, race, religion, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation.

Always interacts with students in a respectful, supportive, and positive manner ensuring children feel safe and their voices are heard in the learning process and daily activities.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 40 pounds.

Working Conditions :

The unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed, and which create hardship for the incumbent including the frequency and duration of occurrence of physical demands, environmental conditions, demands on one's senses and mental demands.)

Chicago Commons is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation including gender identity, gender expression, military discharge status, physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by law. In addition, Chicago Commons provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process).

To learn more about Chicago Commons' benefits package, please click HERE.

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