What are the responsibilities and job description for the SPED Paraprofessional position at Pike Road School District?
System Mission: To create a culture of intellectual curiosity where all students have ownership over their learning and are inspired to think, innovate, and create.
System Vision: Our students are lifelong learners who use their knowledge, skills, and influence to make the world a better place.
LOCATION:
Local School as Assigned
REPORTS TO:
Principal
FLSA STATUS:
non-Exempt
TERMS:
182-day position paid following the board-approved salary schedule
JOB GOAL:
- To assist the special education services teacher in providing instructional, behavioral, and support services for maximum learner achievement/attainment.
- To assist teachers in planning and implementing learning experiences.
- To assist teachers in developing a safe, healthy learning environment.
- To assist the teacher in providing small group instruction.
- To assist teachers with the preparation and organization of instructional materials.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- ACT WorkKeys Assessment
- Ability to meet the suitability criteria for employment and/or certification/licensure under the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 and Act No. 2002-457
- Demonstrated success in relevant work experience.
- Ability and willingness to work in a highly demanding, stressful environment.
- Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication with learners, teachers and others.
- Effective interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on communication and collaboration with a wide variety of people and groups.
- Ability to identify and solve problems as a productive team member.
- Ability to carry out verbal and written instructions.
- Physical strength, agility, dexterity, acuity and mobility to perform job responsibilities.
- Ability to use technology to communicate, to manage data, and to produce/submit required reports, correspondence, and/or financial information.
- Ability to follow instructions and accept constructive feedback.
- Ability to stand, walk, stoop, assist with learner toileting and specific hygiene needs.
- Ability to transfer learners, feed learners, and provide physical intervention when required.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work flexible hours as needed to provide adult assistance on special education buses.
- Ability to be punctual and in regular attendance.
- Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may require.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Demonstrates support for the school system and its vision, goals and priorities.
- Implements all components of the behavior plans of individual learners consistent with teacher implementation instructions.
- Applies prompting techniques/learning interventions as directed by Lead Special Education Teacher.
- Communicates relevant observations of learner needs/behaviors to Lead Special Education Teacher.
- Assists in managing learner behavior to include crisis intervention when needed, including restraining disruptive or physically dangerous learners within the guidelines of Crisis Intervention and Prevention (CPI) training.
- Maintains ethical practices and relationships with parents and stakeholders.
- Facilitates the use of adaptive devices, timers, communication devices and other tools used by the Special Education staff.
- Presents lessons or portions of lessons to a learner or a group of learners, checks accuracy of work and presents additional assignments as directed by the teacher.
- Helps learners to use books, computers, classroom materials and other equipment. Assists teacher in keeping routine records related to attendance, grades, test scores or behavior as assigned.
- Transfers learners in and out of holding or locomotive devices and on and off buses.
- Assists learners with all aspects of toileting, which may include diapering, and lifting on and off the toilet, changing tables and mats.
- Assists with movement of learners with special needs as required (positioning, lifting, transferring, and physical intervention).
- Obtains food from the cafeteria, serves food and feeds learner or helps them feed themselves.
- Assists teachers in maintaining discipline and encouraging acceptable learner behavior.
- Facilitates learners’ use of mobility equipment such as leg braces, walkers, mobile standers and tricycles.
- Assists teachers on field trips by helping learners with physical needs, maintaining discipline, and reinforcing learning situations.
- Assists bus drivers in maintaining discipline and responding to the physical needs of learners.
- Provides adult assistance on special education buses as assigned by the building level principal, assistant principal or Central Office Special Education staff.
- Assists teachers in directing activities and acts as play leader for assigned groups of learners.
- Performs basic health, first aid, or basic nursing care for special education learners as directed or authorized by a school nurse.
- Supervises a group of learners in the temporary absence of the responsible teacher. Adjusts or rephrases portions of texts and classroom instruction.
- Attends IEP meetings, if requested.
- Maintains appropriate confidentiality regarding school/workplace matters.
- Performs duties in a courteous and professional manner.
- Demonstrates initiative in identifying potential problems and/or opportunities for improvement in areas of responsibility.
- Works cooperatively and productively with supervisor(s) and other system staff to ensure the system’s vision, goals and strategies are implemented and providing all pertinent data to all appropriate personnel within the designated time frame.
- Engages in professional growth and demonstrates professional ethics and effective leadership.
- Reports potential problems, unusual events, or work irregularities to appropriate administrative or supervisory personnel.
- Responds to inquiries, requests, constructive feedback, concerns and/or complaints in a timely and positive manner.
- Maintains and submits reports, records, and correspondence in a timely and accurate manner.
- Properly uses and cares for equipment and material resources of the school system and effectively supervises and monitors others in the care, maintenance, and use of tools, equipment, and inventory.
- Uses effective collaboration skills to work as a productive team member.
- Transfers with a learner to another education setting when requested in accordance with the school system policies governing employee transfers. Adheres to school system rules, administrative procedures, local Board policies, and state, federal, and local regulations.
- Reports absences and takes leave in accordance with Board policies and procedures.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned by supervisor(s)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently; and/or up to 10 pounds of force as needed to move objects.
EVALUATION: Job performance will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the State Department of Education and/or Pike Road Board of Education policy on evaluation of classified personnel.
