Para Special Education Low Incidence

Para Special Education Low Incidence (2024-2025 School Year)

Job Title: Para Special Education Low Incidence

Position Function: Under the supervision of an administrator and direction of a certificated/licensed staff, assist the teacher in the education of students including instructional assistance, organization, record keeping, and management of student behavior, classroom safety, and communication with students, support staff and parents.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Supervises students in class setting as directed by the teacher or other staff
• Assists in managing classroom routines and procedures
• Assists in the interventions to redirect behavior, assesses crisis situations and intervenes to defuse situations, documents any occurrences, provides feedback to develop positive self-esteem of student
• Assists the teacher by supervising school activities on or off campus during the course of the instructional day
• Assists in the implementing of student behavior plan
• Assists students to and from assigned areas within the building to facilitate integration efforts
• Assists the teacher in the physical setup of the classroom for group instruction, projects, and activities
• Assists in the integration of technology into the classroom
• Uses a slate and/or stylus or have a willingness to learn these skills
• Assists students in using low vision equipment
• Assists students with adaptive magnifying equipment
• Participates in effective teaming skills, collaboration, conflict resolution and communication
• Provides individual and/or group instruction which may include regular education students in academic areas after initial instruction by teacher
• Is assigned to a regular classroom program where special education students are assigned
• Provides feedback to students and teachers
• Assists students through the use of questioning and discussion techniques
• Assists with student engagement with the curriculum
• Assists students with the integration into regular education classroom
• Evaluates student progress on work assignments and shares information with teacher
• Assists the teacher with the designing and/or planning of instruction and follow through
• Assists with scoring tests, keeping records and making reports as required by the teacher
• Demonstrates knowledge of district resources
• Prepares instructional materials and/or learning centers
• Assists in the planning for the Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Maintains high level of confidentiality of information regarding students and staff information and issues
• Models appropriate behavior for students
• Develops and maintains a professional rapport with classroom teacher and other staff
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of students, staff, and parents
• Communicates with students, parents, instructional and support staff by letter, phone, e-mail, fax or personal contact as directed by the administrator or classroom teacher
• Observes and charts student behavior and assist in discipline of student as instructed by the teacher.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritize and organize
• Attend sand participates in staff meetings, PLCs and parent conferences as required
• Acquires a minimum of 20 hours of in-service annually. After 3 years a minimum of 10 in-service hours is required. (Paras are encouraged to take advantage of in-services provided by the building or district.)
• Assists students to and from buses and assisting the drivers until departure time
• Assists in the transportation of students
• Assists in caring for student's medical needs when under the direct supervision of the school nurse or other appropriate professional
• Assists students with basic needs including but not limited to self-care, hygiene, feeding, (may include tube feeding), toileting, diapering, dressing and physical transfers
• Possesses the manual dexterity, physical ability and stamina for a full day of physical activity
• Assists and supervise students to and from assigned areas
• Demonstrates typing skills
• Demonstrates the ability to interline all Braille material for tests and daily lessons

Additional Duties: Assists with additional duties as assigned by supervisor

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use SMART boards and iPads in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with USD 259's guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Limited travel between schools and central offices may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Be able to work in various weather conditions
• Be able to react immediately to an emergency situation for the safety and welfare of the students and staff, which may include the use of physical restraint technique
• Be able to walk long distances, stand for long periods, bend, twist, balance, stoop, climb steps and reach overhead
• Possess the manual dexterity, physical ability and stamina for a full day of physical activity
• Be able to see and hear well
• Be able to lift, carry, push and pull up to 50 pounds; Be able to lift and carry up to 100 pounds with assistance
• Be able to demonstrate good finger dexterity

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge and experience working with students who demonstrate the need for intensive services in one or more of the categorical areas listed above
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing and delivering training to meet the targeted needs of the identified audience
• Proficient problem solving skills
• Demonstrated acumen in completing tasks and dealing with situations related to the essential functions of the position
• Extensive knowledge and practice setting up structured environments
• Some positions may require knowledge of various sign language modalities, Braille, NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) or other special skills
• Ability to communicate both verbally and written in order to communicate with others inside and outside of the organization for the purpose of giving and obtaining information
• Ability to communicate effectively with a Supervisor when their discretion is needed
• Ability to perform as an effective team player
• Ability to plan, organize, make decisions and prioritize work to meet the daily demands of the building
• Exhibit a professional manner and a positive attitude
• Use good judgment to make decisions on recurring assignments
• Display a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance
• Knowledge of company's mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service

Employee Punctuality and Appearance:

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee's supervisor or building administrator
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of USD 259 and is appropriate for their position

Qualification Profile:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required
• Paras working in a Title School must have a minimum of 48 accredited college credits verifiable with a transcript or pass a state approved assessment
• Must pass the Physical Capacity Test (PCP)
• Requires in-service, training or course work in first aide, symptoms of child abuse, and/or symptoms and signs of illness
• Requires knowledge and literacy of various sign language modalities, Braille, NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) and/or other special skills

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt