Paraprofessional -Building Assistant

Hiawathaschools; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local school district in the United States is seeking an Office Assistant to support classroom activities and engage directly with students. The ideal candidate will help manage office tasks, assist certified staff in reinforcement of skills, and guide students, especially those with special needs, in their educational journey. This role requires a High School diploma and seeks someone with effective communication skills and a compassionate approach. Experience with special needs children is preferable.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of college level coursework or examination as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.
• Prior experience working with special needs children desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist in answering telephones and supervising the office.
• Guide students to reinforce various skills in the classroom.
• Support professional staff in classroom management and student assessments.
• Help with record-keeping and document student learning.
• Assist students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction.

Skills

Communication skills

Ability to work with students

Computer skills (Word, Excel)

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Team collaboration

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

College level coursework (if applicable)

Tools

Personal computers

Job description

Position Purpose

Work in the Elementary office to assist with phone calls, attendance, and other duties as well as under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties such as proctoring study halls to enable them to make a contribution to other aspects of the educational program, such as curriculum development.

Essential Job Functions

• Assists in answering telephones within the office.
• Assists in supervising the office during morning, lunch, and after school time.
• Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
• Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record‑keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
• Assists students in non‑instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non‑instructional areas.
• Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
• Constructs, copies and distributes educational materials as needed.
• Assists teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.
• Participates in IEP process and serves as resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
• Assists students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.

Additional Duties

• Assist guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment

• Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Works in standard office and school building environments.
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.

Note: Also see the Summary of Physical, Sensory and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Functions for this position.

Qualifications Profile

• Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of college level coursework or passing of examination as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.
• Prior experience working with special needs children desirable.