Special Education Paraprofessional: Specialty, Visual Impairments

Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or equivalency

2. Ability to develop positive constructive relations with students, staff and public

3. Two years of education or training beyond High School is preferred.

Reports Directly To:

Teacher for the Visually Impaired, Building principal and/or designee

Job Summary:

This paraprofessional position is responsible for supporting the MPSD program for students with visual impairments. They will be responsible for performing various activities to support instructional programs and facilitate independence for students with visual impairments in the general education or special education classrooms per individualized education plans (IEPs).

Functions: A Special Education Paraprofessional may be asked to perform the following:

• Modify, enhance, or adapt classroom activities, assignments, and materials to support access for students with visual impairments, including the preparation of Braille or large print materials.
• Reinforce academic skills, organizational skills, and conceptual development as per students’ IEP, the core standards and curriculum, and the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC).
• Learn and use basic knowledge and skills of human guide and instructional technology/tools used by students with visual impairments, including low vision devices, Abacus, screen readers, et.
• Learn and create tactile images for communication systems, early literacy books, etc. using various tools, materials, and machines.
• Learn and support the use of specific VI Technologies required for access to the curriculum and instruction.
• Assist in developing independence by reinforcing opportunities for student with visual impairments to understand their needs and advocate for themselves with peers, parents, educational professionals, and others.
• Work closely with the Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI), the Orientation & Mobility (O & M) Instructor, and the classroom or special education teacher.
• Attend and participate in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings.
• Attends staff development sessions as directed by the district.
• Maintains the district’s standards relative to the confidentiality of information about students and school related concerns.
• Attends to the safety and well-being of all students, including but not limited to, the use of universal precautions as per blood borne pathogens training.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the teacher or administrator.

Functional Job Analysis and Descriptions:

Language Skills - Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills - Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability - Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations

Other Skills and Abilities - Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift 40 lbs. and or push/pull up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision. The employee needs to be able to tell where a sound is coming from and hear in a noisy environment.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts in some vocational settings. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is frequently exposed to infection at a greater risk than the average person. May be directly responsible for the safety, well-being and/or work output of students.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Physical Setting:

• Public school

Schedule:

• Day shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $20