Autism Services Aide I (7.5 hours/181 days)

Aiken County Public Schools; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Aiken County Public Schools is seeking a dedicated paraprofessional to provide intensive instructional support to individual students, focusing on social skills, communication, and learning behaviors. You will implement evidence-based strategies, collect data daily, and collaborate with teachers to adapt materials and reinforce outcomes according to IEPs.

You will assist with classroom routines, supervise students during drills and breaks, and help with self-help tasks while maintaining

Qualifications

• High School Diploma; Associates Degree preferred; 60 hours college credit from an accredited college, or passing score on the ParaPro Exam.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable
• Knowledge of child growth and development

Responsibilities

• Uses applied behavior strategies, communication, and reinforcement techniques consistently.
• Accurately completes all required documentation and data collection daily.
• Implements strategies related to environmental factors including workspace organization, program materials, and use of Visual Supports.
• Facilitates developmentally appropriate interactions with students and ensures engagement.
• Follows prescribed programs with fidelity including data collection and use of prompting strategies.
• Works with individual students to reinforce learning per IEP/treatment plan.
• Collaborates with teachers and paraprofessionals for identified students.
• Assists with supervision during drills, assemblies, and play periods.
• Maintains ethical behavior and confidentiality of student information.
• Communicates problems or concerns to Team Lead.
• Participates in in-service training and duties assigned by Director of Special Programs.

Skills

Applied Behavior Analysis

Data collection

Communication

Team collaboration

Behavior management

Education

High School Diploma

Associate degree preferred

60 college credits

ParaPro Exam

Knowledge of child development

Job description

SUMMARY:

Provides intensive individualized instructional services directed toward the development and/or enhancement of skills and increased independence in social skills, social communication, and learning behaviors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Uses appropriate applied behavior strategies, communication, and reinforcement techniques consistently.
• Accurately completes all required documentation and data collection daily.
• Implements strategies related to environmental factors including:
  • Workspace organization
  • Program materials
  • Use of Visual Supports
• Facilitates developmentally appropriate interactions with students by:
  • Ensuring student engagement
  • Appropriate use of reinforcers and reinforcement strategies
  • Appropriate pacing
• Follows prescribed programs with fidelity to include:
  • Accurate data collection
  • Use of errorless teaching and prompting strategies
  • Use of supports to facilitate smooth transitions
• Works with an individual student to reinforce learning of material or skills as described in the IEP/treatment plan.
• Assists the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on an understanding of the individual student, his/her needs, interests, and abilities.
• Helps with the supervision of the students served during emergency drills, assemblies, and play periods.
• Access online resources and software related to the development of student materials and identified supports.
• Collaborates with other paraprofessionals, special education teachers, and general education teachers for identified students.
• Helps the student throughout the school environment, as necessary.
• Helps the student with self-help tasks, including managing clothing, bathroom routines, meals, and cleanup routines.
• Communicates with the Team Lead any problems or concerns related to the student.
• Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about the student as is expected of fully licensed teachers. To include:
  • Effective communication
  • Professional demeanor and behavior
  • Adherence to program policies (i.e., attendance)
• Participates in in-service training programs as assigned.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Special Programs.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

High School Diploma; meets highly qualified standards as defined by NCLB Act of 2001: Associates Degree preferred, 60 hours college credit from an accredited college, or passing score on the ParaPro Exam. A good knowledge of and understanding of child growth and development; or any equivalent combination of training and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Experience with Applied Behavior Therapy preferred.

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Not applicable

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Not applicable

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write and/or type routine reports and correspondences. Ability to speak effectively before groups of district personnel or organizations. Proficient in English and relative understanding of sign language. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally through emails and through other means (i.e. picture exchange system). Ability to develop professional and accurate observational documentation.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in units of measurement, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and in the display and interpretation of data.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to interpret and carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to analyze information and use logic to address work related issues and problems. Ability to quickly assess employee, departmental, and administrative needs and provide timely feedback.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

Ability to operate a personal computer and related software. Ability to work independently, with limited supervision. Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to develop effective working relationships with staff and district employees. Ability to self-monitor and manage multiple tasks while working individually and with members of a group.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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 the essential functions.

The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as boxes of materials. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as furniture or boxes of materials.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, listen and/or reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision. Some driving required. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public or other staff. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being of students.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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

The noise level in this environment is usually quiet and at a standard acceptable level for this environment.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

181 Days, 7.5 Hours

Level 110 Pay Scale

The terms of employment detailed in this job description are based on full time employment during the school year. Conditions of employment adjusted for part time employees or individuals who are hired for less than an entire school year.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job evaluated annually according to Board Policy.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

The information contained in this job-description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Updated2025