McCalla ES - Ex. Ed. Instructional Paraprofessional

Montgomery-Public-Schools; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery-Public-Schools is seeking an Exceptional Education Instructional Paraprofessional to assist a special education teacher in supporting students with disabilities. The role emphasizes communication, data reporting, and collaboration with staff, families, and other professionals.

Responsibilities include reinforcing lessons, assisting with classroom activities, and maintaining records while ensuring student safety and well-being.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or 48 semester hours (or ACT WorkKeys passing score).
• Ability to meet suitability criteria under relevant state acts.
• Ability to work in a demanding environment.
• Proficient in oral and written communication with students, parents, and staff.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaboration with diverse groups.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

Responsibilities

• Reinforces lesson concepts for individual or small groups.
• Assist students with materials and classroom technology.
• Maintain attendance/grades records as directed by the teacher.
• Assist with student mobility, positioning, and safety needs.
• Help manage self-care tasks and behavior with crisis intervention when needed.
• Support field trips and supervise students as required.
• Ensure confidentiality and proper use of documentation.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Follow instructions

Flexibility

Technology for data/reports

Stamina and mobility

Education

Associate’s degree or 48 semester hours

Job description

Job Title – Exceptional Education Instructional Paraprofessional

Supervisor: Principal

Job Goal:

• To assist the special education services teacher in providing instructional and support services to students with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Associate’s degree or 48 semester hours from an accredited college or a passing score on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment
2. Ability to meet the suitability criteria for employment and/or certification/licensure under the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 and Act No. 2002-457.
3. Ability and willingness to work in a highly demanding, stressful environment.
4. Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication with students, parents and others.
5. Effective interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on communication and collaboration with a wide variety of people and groups.
6. Ability to carry out verbal and written instructions.
7. Physical strength, agility, dexterity, acuity and mobility to perform job responsibilities.
8. Ability to use technology to communicate, to manage data, and to produce/submit required reports, correspondence, and/or financial information.
9. Ability to follow instructions and accept constructive feedback.
10. Ability to stand, walk, stoop, and assist with student toileting and specific hygiene needs.
11. Ability to transfer students, feed students, and provide physical support and intervention when required.
12. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
13. Ability to work flexible hours as needed to provide assistance for assigned students on special education buses.
14. Ability to be punctual and in regular attendance.
15. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may require.

Performance Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

1. Demonstrates support for the school system and its vision, goals and priorities.
2. Reinforces concepts from lessons with individual students or a group of students, checks accuracy of work and presents additional assignments as directed by the teacher.
3. Helps students to use books, computers, classroom materials and other equipment.
4. Assists teacher in keeping records related to attendance, grades, test scores or behavior as assigned.
5. Transfers students in and out of holding or locomotive devices and on and off buses.
6. Assists students with all aspects of toileting, which may include diapering, and lifting on and off the toilet, changing tables and mats.
7. Assists with the management of self-care needs and movement of students with special needs as required (positioning, lifting, transferring, physical intervention, toileting, diapering, and changing of clothing).
8. Obtains food from the cafeteria, serves food and feeds student or helps them feed themselves, as needed.
9. Assists in managing student behavior to include crisis intervention when needed (which may include restraining) and the implementation of the HELP (Human Empowerment Leadership Principles) training.
10. Facilitates students’ use of mobility equipment such as leg braces, walkers, mobile standers and tricycles.
11. Assists teachers on field trips by helping students with physical needs, maintaining discipline, and reinforcing learning situations.
12. Assists bus drivers in maintaining discipline and responding to the physical needs of students.
13. Provides assistance on special education buses as assigned by the building level principal, assistant principal or Central Office Exceptional Education staff.
14. Assists teachers in directing activities and acts as play leader for assigned groups of students.
15. Performs basic health, first aid, or basic nursing care for special education students as directed or authorized by a school nurse.
16. Implements behavior management plans consistent with teacher implementation instructions.
17. Adjusts or rephrases portions of texts and classroom instruction.
18. Attends IEP meetings, if requested.
19. Maintains confidentiality regarding school/workplace matters in accordance with state and federal law.
20. Performs duties in a courteous and professional manner.
21. Demonstrates initiative in identifying potential opportunities for improvement in areas of responsibility.
22. Responds to inquiries and requests in a timely and positive manner.
23. Maintains and submits required reports (student performance, behavior, academic accomplishments, developmental activities, etc.), records, and correspondence in a timely and accurate manner using technology or other means as directed.
24. Properly cares for equipment and material resources of the school system.
25. Uses collaboration skills to work as a productive team member.
26. Adheres to school system rules, administrative procedures, local Board policies, and state, federal, and local laws.
27. Reports absences and takes leave in accordance with Board policies and procedures.
28. Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the teacher, principal, or Exceptional Education Director.

Terms of Employment:

As established by the Board and applicable state law.

Evaluation:

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the Board's policy on evaluation of personnel.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job goals, qualifications, and responsibilities and the employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned. The Jefferson County Board of Education reserves the right to amend the job description as needed.