Paraeducator, Special Education Early Childhood Candidate Pool

Howard County Public School System; Parsons (KS); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary increases for Title I schools

Paid time off for eligible employees

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

A public school district in Kansas is seeking a Paraeducator to support special education in early childhood settings. The role involves assisting students with disabilities in daily activities, implementing IEPs, and ensuring their emotional and physical well-being. Candidates should have experience working with young children, and knowledge of instructional strategies is essential. Applicants must be able to accommodate a flexible schedule. The position offers a 10-month annual contract with potential salary increases for additional qualifications.

Qualifications

• Experience working with students in a PK-12 setting.
• One year of experience working with young children with disabilities.
• Physical ability to work around children and monitor situations.

Responsibilities

• Support student learning and well-being under supervision.
• Implement Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and collect related data.
• Assist with daily classroom activities and promote independence.

Skills

Knowledge of child development

Instructional strategies

Ability to follow directions

Exhibit professional behavior

Education

Education evaluated by an MSDE approved organization

Tools

Assistive technology

Web-based productivity tools

Job description

## Paraeducator, Special Education Early Childhood Candidate PoolDESCRIPTION Under the supervision of the principal and/or assistant principal, and with instruction from a special education teacher, general education teacher, therapist or assigned staff, the Paraeducator supports and promotes student learning and well-being. The special education paraprofessional assists the teacher in general daily classroom activities, helps special needs students, and cares for their physical, emotional health and safety, affirming their abilities, and striving to promote dignity in all relationships. The position implements plans and programs related to academic, behavior, and socialas well as related clerical tasks to support teachers and other professional staff in the classrooms and learning environments.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS **Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.****Education** ). Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization. For a list of approved vendors, please click **Additional Requirements for** PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don’t meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.Experience working with students in a PK-12 setting. One (1) year of experience working with young children with disabilities. ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.Utilizes additional technical skills and training to implement Intensive Structured Teaching (IST) sessions as required by the IEP. Supports the implementation of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) by collecting data and documentation related to general education curricula, student IEP goals/objectives and academic or behavioral needs. Attends meetings and professional learning sessions (e.g., first aid, CPR, emergency procedures, behavior management, specialized methodology, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions. May assist with lunch activities (e.g., collecting lunch money, feeding, etc.) for the purpose of helping students with routines and fostering independence as appropriate. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list. Knowledge of child development, instructional strategies and practices, instructional goals, and policies specifically in special education and related services. Knowledge of the basic early childhood subjects taught in public schools, including literacy and mathematics, etc.Ability to support the implementation of instructional programs that support diverse student learners. Ability to assist students with instruction in an active learning environment. Ability to follow oral and written directions necessary for providing student support (e.g., directions for learning tasks, student goals and objectives, schedule of services, etc.). Ability to exhibit professional behavior, tact, and good judgment in working with administrators, colleagues, central office and school-based staff, students, parents/guardians, and the community. Ability to utilize assistiveAbility to utilize web-based productivity and collaboration tools ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS**Physical Requirements** Physical ability to work around children including standing and sitting, in a chair and/or on the floor, for extended periods of time. Physical ability to complete bending, pushing/pulling, walking, running, kneeling, twisting, squatting, crouching, overhead and above shoulder reaching movements (e.g., push/move wheelchairs, walkers, wagons, etc.).Must be able to actively monitor and respond to students who elope from the classroom, school building, or other emergency situations. Including the ability to move quickly towards students who may elope from an assigned area.Ability to hear, with or without use of hearing aid(s), sufficient to hear any conversation with others. The person selected for this position must meet all requirements of the physical examination administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education. Must be able to accommodate a flexible schedule and change of location, as needed.APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system. **Compensation** This is a 10-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. This position is salary Grade VI on the . Special Education Paraeducators will receive an additional $0.75 per hour. Paraeducators working in Title I Program Schools will receive an additional $0.50 per hour. Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA-ESP Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is **Benefits** for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the **Pre-Employment Requirements**All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing.