Academic and Behavior Intervention Assistant - Taylor Junior High School

Mesa Public Schools; Mesa (AZ); On-site; Full time

Job summary

Mesa Public Schools seeks an Academic and Behavior Intervention Assistant to support students needing academic and behavioral help. The role involves implementing intervention strategies, collaborating with educators, and fostering positive student behavior. Ideal candidates will demonstrate effective communication and a commitment to student success.

Benefits

Vacation

Sick Leave

Holidays

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Retirement Matching

Qualifications

• Earned a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Meets federal paraprofessional requirements.

Responsibilities

• Supports students requiring academic assistance and behavioral intervention.
• Implements positive behavior intervention plans.
• Collaborates with teachers and staff to coordinate support efforts.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Patience

Empathy

Problem-Solving

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate’s Degree or 60 College Credits

Job description

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of 2024 Best Employers in Arizona.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type:

Full-time (35 hours per week)

Base Hourly:

$17.53

Class/Calendar:

A13,9.25 months

Benefits:

Vacation, sick leave, holidays,retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New Hire Experience:

1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to aten-year maximum

New Hire Education:

1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary:

The Academic and Behavior Intervention Assistant will support students requiring academic assistance and behavioral intervention. This role demands effective communication and a commitment to fostering student success both academically and behaviorally. Additionally, the assistant will provide specialized support to students with behavioral challenges, implementing positive behavior intervention plans, collecting data, and assisting educators to promote positive behavior and academic success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Implements the comprehensive program for academic and behavioral intervention, incorporating shared practices and strategies to support junior high school students in need.
• Implements curriculum materials and resources provided by school administration and educators to meet needs of students requiring academic and behavior intervention.
• Provides recommendations to school staff, including teachers and support personnel, on intervention strategies to meet each student’s needs.
• Supports and guides students participating in the program, addressing academic challenges, behavioral issues, and other needs as necessary.
• Implements proactive strategies for managing student behavior and promoting positive social interactions within the academy environment, establishing clear expectations and consequences.
• Collects and analyzes data related to student academic performance and behavioral outcomes, using findings to make recommendations to instructional decisions, program modifications, and interventions.
• Collaborates with teachers, counselors, administrators, and other staff to coordinate efforts and ensure alignment with school-wide goals and initiatives related to academic and behavioral support.
• Maintains open lines of communication with parents and guardians, providing regular updates on student progress, behavior, and participation in the academy program.
• Participates in ongoing training and professional development opportunities to stay up to date with best practices in behavior management and intervention techniques.
• Implements positive behavior intervention plans (PBIPs) with fidelity as designed by the school’s administration and educators.
• Assists students in developing coping strategies and self-regulation skills to manage challenging behaviors effectively.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, an applicant must meet the following required qualifications. Verification of these required qualifications is necessary.

• Earned a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Meets the federal paraprofessional requirements (possession of an Associate’s degree, 60 college credits, or passing of paraprofessional exam offered by Mesa Public Schools)

Preferred Qualifications:

It is preferred that the applicant possess the following qualifications; however, the following qualifications are not required to be eligible for this position.

• Public school district experience
• Ability to speak Spanish
• Experience working with students

Skills & Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications for this job description represent the knowledge, skill, abilities, and other characteristics necessary for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Understanding and demonstrating the essential attitudes and skills of theMesa Public Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Understanding behavioral challenges, particularly within an educational setting
• Having excellent communication and collaboration abilities
• Demonstrating patience, empathy, the ability to remain calm in challenging situations
• Adhering to ethical standards and confidentiality guidelines related to student information
• Working with a wide variety of students who have different strengths and needs
• Engaging and fostering positive and productive relationships with various stakeholders
• Having practical skills in interpersonal relationships, communication, organization, leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving
• Understanding current strategies and best practices related to the area of assignment
• Seeking continuous improvement

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

This section outlines the work environment and physical conditions associated with this role. It includes information on whether the job involves working in an office, classroom, or other settings, and if there are physical activities like standing, walking, or lifting.

• Works closely with special education teachers, general education staff, therapists, and administrators
• May be resource rooms, inclusion settings, or self-contained classrooms
• Supports students with disabilities, which may include intellectual, developmental, emotional, or physical disabilities
• Each day can vary based on student needs, schedules, behavior, and support plans
• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, bend, and kneel frequently throughout the day
• May need to lift or assist students who have physical disabilities, including transferring students to and from wheelchairs, standing frames, or other equipment (commonly 25–50 lbs, but sometimes more)

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.