26-27 Truman Special Education Paraprofessional

Norman Public Schools; Norman (OK); On-site; USD 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Norman Public Schools is seeking a Behavior Technician to assist teachers in delivering instruction to students with behavior challenges, using behavior modification and de-escalation techniques. The role supports individual and small groups, participates in IEP/504 meetings, collects data, and maintains behavior charts while adhering to district policies.

Requires passing paraprofessional exam or OGET; high school diploma or GED; prior experience with students with behavior challenges is

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Passing score on the paraprofessional exam or Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET) required.
• Experience working with children/teenagers who have behavior challenges preferred.
• Experience working with students with special needs preferred.
• De-escalation experience preferred.
• Successful experience in intervention settings as well as the classroom.

Responsibilities

• Assists in providing instruction to behaviorally challenged individuals or small groups, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher.
• Works one-on-one with students with serious behavioral needs.
• Participates in IEP/504 meetings as appropriate.
• Collects data and maintains behavioral charting data.
• Monitors and assists students in prescribed learning activities.
• Reduces and redirects inappropriate behavior.
• Reports progress regarding student behavior and performance.
• Provides emotional support and guidance to students and parents as directed.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Norman Public Schools

Title: Behavior Technician

Contract: 175 days

Salary Schedule: Teacher Assistant plus addenda

Reports to: Site Principal

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for assisting teacher(s) to provide instruction to individuals or small groups of students with behavior challenges; administer behavior modification and de-escalation techniques to support instruction, increase participation in academic tasks, improve social skills and support appropriate behavior of individuals and/or small groups of students some with special needs; redirect and modify student progress regarding inappropriate behaviors and performance; participate as a member of the educational team; help implement all components of the student's individual program; perform a variety of clerical duties as assigned;

Passing score on the paraprofessional exam or Oklahoma General Educations Test (OGET) required

Education:

High school diploma or GED

Experience:

• Experience working with children/teenagers who have behavior challenges
• Experience working with students with special needs
• De-escalation experience
• Successful experience working in an intervention setting as well as the classroom

Knowledge of:

• Behavior modification and de-escalation techniques
• Social interaction skills of students with special needs
• Basic subjects taught in the district school
• Safe practices in classroom and playground activities.
• Basic first aid and CPR procedures
• Health and safety regulations pertaining to position
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary
• Oral and written communications skills
• Interpersonal relations skills using tact, patience, and courtesy
• Basic record-keeping skills
• District policies, rules, and regulations

Ability to:

• Develop rapport and interact effectively with students
• Demonstrate an understanding, patience and receptive attitude toward children with special needs
• Apply behavior modification and de-escalation techniques
• Work with students having special needs and/or aggressive behaviors
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Maintain emotional control under difficult situations
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others
• Maintain confidentiality
• Assist with the instructional and related activities of a learning environment
• Perform clerical duties such as charting performance, filing and maintaining simple records
• Print and write legibly
• Make arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Learn and follow laws, rules, practices, policies and procedures
• Enlist the support, interest and participation of students
• Appropriately manage student behavior and guide student toward more acceptable social behaviors
• Implement positive behavioral intervention plans
• Model appropriate behavioral techniques
• Learn and adapt to new procedures, conditions, and changing work demands
• Supervise children in the classroom and outside
• Follow oral and written directions
• Manage task priorities to meet deadlines
• Work under varying degrees of stress
• Be physically agile and possess sufficient strength and stamina to work with children who may be prone to sudden flight or aggression.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assists in providing instruction to behaviorally challenged individuals or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher
• Works one-on-one with students with serious behavioral needs
• Actively participates in behavior intervention meetings and IEP or 504 meetings as appropriate
• Collects data and records anecdotal student progress notes and maintains behavioral charting data
• Monitors and assists students in prescribed learning activities
• Reduce and redirect inappropriate behavior
• Report progress regarding student behavior and performance.
• Assists students and parents by providing proper examples, emotional support and general guidance as directed
• Communicates with teachers regarding programs and materials to meet student needs
• Follows health and safety practices and regulations
• Assists students in developing self-help and self-advocacy skills as directed.
• Assists in implementing specialized student plans (IEP, BIP, 504) as needed.
• Provides assistance with de-escalating student behaviors and reintegration back into the classroom
• Assist the instructional staff in supervising students inside and outside the classroom as assigned.
• Follows Board policies and district procedures
• Escort students to and from designated locations as assigned; may accompany students to recess, lunch and on field trips as assigned.
• Tutor individuals or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction and behavior as directed by the teachers
• Participate in meetings, training, and professional development as assigned
• Observe, change, alter, and improve the social interaction skills of students with special needs according to behavior modification techniques
• Assist students by providing proper examples, behavioral intervention, emotional support and general guidance in the school setting
• Confer and review with teachers, instructional personnel, behavior specialists and psychologists regarding collected data, programs, and materials to meet student needs
• May assist students with washing, eating, toileting, and other personal care needs
• When appropriate, may assist students in developing self-sufficiency skills related to personal hygiene
• Assist assigned teacher and certificated personnel with the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEP's)
• Provide routine first aid to injured students according to established procedures as needed
• Maintains appropriate documentation, records, and reports
• Support students through transition into new education settings
• Must always maintain confidentiality
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Physical Requirements:

• Ability to provide physical care for assigned student(s)
• Ability to perform physical restraint as needed following correct procedures

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Must obtain de-escalation techniques training and keep certification up-to-date
• Must obtain District behavior modification trainings or approved equivalent within six months of employment and keep certification up-to-date
• Successful completion of the District-mandated proficiency examination
• Must complete and maintain First Aid and CPR certification within six months of employment