Job Title: Special Education Para-Professional (Grades PK - 12)

Department: Instructional Support Staff

Reports to: Director of Special Education and/or Building Principal

Classification: Non-Exempt

Start Date:  Immediately (Open Until Filled)

Terms of Employment: 8 Hours/day;  Work School Days (School term August - May). Hourly rate reviewed annually and benefits according to Board policies.

Summary

Paraprofessionals serve to enhance the instructional program available in the schools. They are employed to provide better learning opportunities for students in situations where large class sizes or a special need exists. The assistant aids the teacher in providing instruction and also performs duties which free the teacher to work with those students needing more help. Many of the duties performed by the assistant are similar to those performed by the teacher. However, the assistant works under the direction of the teacher, and only the teacher may diagnose and prescribe for the learning needs of the students. All plans for a lesson originate through the classroom teacher.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

An individual who holds this position is responsible for:

• Tutor individuals or small groups.
• Escort the class to other instructional areas.
• Operate instructional equipment for the classroom.
• Assist students with personal care needs. (May involve lifting, toileting, etc.)
• Gather and produce instructional material for use in the classroom.
• Assist with appropriate behavioral intervention techniques as directed by the supervising teacher.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding students and family’s academic and social needs.
• Assist the teacher in planning for daily lessons and activities.
• Aid in the administering of assessment relating to curriculum.
• Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Required to clock in and out each day they are scheduled to work. Clocking must reflect true time worked.
• Ability to work to implement the vision and mission of the district.
• Assist with field trips and class supervision.
• Help with seat work or individual student work.
• Assist with preparation of bulletin boards, learning centers, etc.
• Arrange instructional material for the classroom.
• Attend meetings/training as requested.
• May be assigned routine clerical duties such as filing, typing, etc.
• May be assigned to a specific assignment such as study halls, cafeteria supervision, media center, in school suspension, after school detention, etc.
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, dress, and appropriate professional manner for the work setting.
• Demonstrates effective human relations and communication skills.
• Adheres to all district rules, regulations, and policies.
• Adheres to good safety practices.
• All other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 60 college hours.
• Bachelor’s degree with Missouri teacher certification preferred.
• Possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and physical attributes necessary to perform the essential functions of the position
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate or acceptable. Desire to continue career improvement by enhancing skills and job performance

Skills and Abilities

Language

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:

• Keep information confidential when required by law, policy or a particular situation

Reasoning

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions

Technology

• Basic computer word processing and research skills
• Ability to access and create reports using the district’s student information software

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 essential functions.

Physical Demands

An individual who holds this position is frequently required to stand, stoop, bend and kneel and may have to use therapeutic restraint. The employee will regularly lift students. The employee must have both close and distance vision.

Hearing

Must be able to hear a conversation in a noisy environment

Attendance

Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position

The work conditions and environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Conditions and Environment

The individual who holds this position will regularly work in a school environment that is noisy and active. Occasionally the individual will be required to work outdoors for short periods of time to perform such tasks as loading and unloading students from district transportation and supervising recess.