Special Education Resource Aide - High School

Join our Special Education Staff at Kalispell Public Schools!  You could become a member of a special team of teachers, aides, behavior specialists, speech language pathologists, nurses, school counselors and school psychologists dedicated to helping our students build skills, habits, and traits that will help them succeed.  This supportive and collaborative team will be there to help YOU help others!  This is a posiiton includes one-on-one work with a student, where you can enjoy becoming a mentor and guide to them during a portion of your day.  

This position follows the school year calendar with summers off!  Starting wage is $16.69-18.40 and based on experience, non-exempt  

Benefits include: a comprehensive benefit plan, Montana State retirement plan, overtime eligible, PLUS 8-days holiday pay, 15-days paid vacation, 12-days sick leave and 2 personal days to start.  All benefits are prorated based on FTE of .81.

One Year Only Position

Internal Screening Begins 1/24/2025

Open Until Filled

Job Responsibilities:

• Serves as a paraeducator for special education programs in K-12 district schools.
• Assists special and general ed. teacher(s) with classroom tasks, organization and management such as small group and/or one-on-one instruction, provide instructional support services under the direct supervision of the certified teacher, organizes instructional materials, corrects papers, clerical work, and supervises students.
• Assists in the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEP’s); recognizes and responds to student’s personal, educational, and/or social needs.
• Assists students in their mobility, personal hygiene, and feeding as appropriate and needed.
• Communicates and establishes positive relationships with parents, students, and public.
• Becomes familiar with expectations of students and facilitates desirable individual and group behavior and performance.
• Operates equipment, duplicates materials, and prepares instructional materials and bulletin boards.
• Organizes, directs, observes and maintains orderly and safe playground activities, halls, buses, lunchroom, and on field trips for students on IEPs.
• Reports any unusual circumstances, unauthorized visitors, unsafe conditions or children who misbehave or violate rules.
• Takes appropriate action in the event of a school emergency.
• Assists in the orientation of substitute aides.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skill, dedication and aptitude for working with staff and students.
• Ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics.
• Ability to be under the direct supervision of a certified special and/or general educator.
• Skill in the operation of a variety of classroom assistive technology including computers & computer programs, iPads & apps, smartboards, telephones, and copiers.
• Ability to become proficient and successfully operate computers, word processing, or other instructional software programs.
• Skill in critical thinking, problem analysis and resolution.
• Ability to meet, communicate, and monitor a high standard of safety.
• Ability to obtain and maintain first aide certification upon employment, if required for the position.
• Ability to maintain effective professional relationships with staff, students, and parents.
• Ability to follow directions.
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain student confidentiality.
• Ability to maintain regular and acceptable attendance levels.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school education or equivalent AND a minimum of 60 credits college coursework; OR,
• High school education or equivalent AND an Associate degree; OR,
• High school education or equivalent AND Highly Qualified testing process successfully passed prior to employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching or tutoring experience with special needs children in an educational setting.
• Bachelor degree in education or extensive college coursework in education.
• Certified teacher in Montana.
• Knowledge of current instructional materials and techniques.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand on feet for extended periods of time, stoop, bend, lift and carry items up to 40 pounds.
• This is a Medium Duty job, according to the Selected Characteristics of Occupations Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles, U.S. Department of Labor and Industry.  Medium Duty involves exertion of 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds continuously to move objects. 

Salary : $17 - $18