Paraprofessional Coordinator

Sylvania; Portland (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance

Paid time off

Retirement

Job summary

Portland Public Schools is seeking a Paraprofessional Coordinator to lead, supervise, coach, and support district paraprofessionals in special education. The role partners with the Special Education Supervisor and building administrators to optimize staffing across programs.

The ideal candidate will have experience coordinating staff, delivering professional development, and maintaining districtwide expectations for paraprofessional roles and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in special education or enrollment in a program with anticipated completion within two years.
• Minimum of three years of experience working in special education.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate, coach, supervise, or lead staff.
• Experience working with paraprofessionals and/or other educational support staff.
• Knowledge of student behavior supports, accommodations, modifications, and strategies for diverse student needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision, leadership, coaching, and support to district special education paraprofessionals.
• Coordinates and oversees districtwide assignment, scheduling, and deployment of paraprofessionals.
• Works with district leaders to determine appropriate paraprofessional staffing and assignments.
• Responds to changing student and staffing needs and adjusts assignments accordingly.
• Conducts regular observations and provides timely coaching, feedback, and support.
• Develops and implements ongoing coaching models and cycles of support for paraprofessional staff.
• Plans and facilitates required training and professional development for paraprofessionals.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Organizational skills

Conflict resolution

Professional development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in special education

Enrollment in special education degree program

Job description

Portland Public Schools: Paraprofessional Coordinator

Portland Public Schools is seeking a dedicated, organized, and collaborative professional to serve as the district’s Paraprofessional Coordinator, providing leadership, supervision, coaching, and support to special education paraprofessionals throughout the district. Under the direction of the Special Education Supervisor, this position is responsible for coordinating the effective assignment and utilization of paraprofessional staff to support student needs and district programming.

The Paraprofessional Coordinator will work closely with building administrators, special education staff, teachers, and other district leaders to assign and schedule paraprofessionals based on student and program needs. This position will provide direct supervision, ongoing coaching, training, and professional development to paraprofessional staff and will support consistent expectations and practices across the district.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator and relationship builder who is highly organized, able to respond effectively to changing staffing and student needs, and committed to developing paraprofessionals through meaningful training, coaching, feedback, and support.

The desired candidate would possess the following attributes:

• Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively supervise, coach, support, and provide feedback to staff.
• Knowledge of effective practices for supporting students with disabilities in both general and special education settings.
• Understanding of the appropriate role and responsibilities of paraprofessionals within educational settings.
• Ability to develop positive and productive working relationships with paraprofessionals, teachers, administrators, students, and families.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing staffing and student needs.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Commitment to student independence, inclusion, and the effective use of adult support.
• Ability to plan, develop, and facilitate meaningful professional development for adult learners.

Eligible candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in special education or current enrollment in a special education degree program with anticipated completion within two years.
• Minimum of three years of experience working in special education.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate, coach, supervise, or lead staff.
• Experience working with paraprofessionals and/or other educational support staff.
• Knowledge of student behavior supports, accommodations, modifications, and strategies for supporting diverse student needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate staffing and schedules across multiple buildings and programs.
• Ability to effectively use technology and district systems for communication, scheduling, documentation, and staff management.

Primary responsibilities, however not limited to:

• Provides direct supervision, leadership, coaching, and support to district special education paraprofessionals.
• Coordinates and oversees the districtwide assignment, scheduling, and deployment of special education paraprofessionals based on student, classroom, building, and program needs.
• Works collaboratively with the Special Education Supervisor, building administrators, special education staff, and other district leaders to determine appropriate paraprofessional staffing and assignments.
• Responds to changing student and staffing needs and adjusts paraprofessional assignments and schedules as necessary.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for special education paraprofessionals regarding assignments, schedules, job responsibilities, expectations, and day-to-day employment questions.
• Establishes and communicates consistent districtwide expectations for paraprofessional roles, responsibilities, professionalism, and performance.
• Conducts regular observations of paraprofessionals in their assigned settings and provides timely coaching, feedback, modeling, and support.
• Develops, coordinates, and implements ongoing coaching models and cycles of support for paraprofessional staff.
• Identifies individual and districtwide paraprofessional training needs and develops an annual professional development plan.
• Plans, coordinates, and facilitates required training, orientation, and professional development for paraprofessional staff.
• Maintains records of required paraprofessional training and professional development and ensures staff complete applicable district and position-specific training requirements.
• Coordinates orientation, training, and ongoing support for newly hired paraprofessionals.
• Supports paraprofessionals in understanding and appropriately implementing student accommodations, behavior plans, adult support plans, health and safety procedures, and other student-specific supports as directed by appropriately qualified staff.
• Promotes practices that foster student independence and ensures paraprofessional support is provided in a manner consistent with student needs and educational programming.
• Works collaboratively with teachers and administrators to address concerns related to paraprofessional performance, assignments, communication, or support.
• Evaluates paraprofessional performance and, in collaboration with the Special Education Supervisor and district administration, addresses performance concerns and implements corrective action when appropriate.
• Assists with interviewing, selection, and placement of paraprofessional candidates.
• Coordinates coverage and reassignment of paraprofessionals when vacancies, absences, student needs, or program changes require staffing adjustments.
• Facilitates regular communication and meetings with paraprofessional staff to provide updates, training, problem-solving, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Works with district administrators to develop and maintain consistent systems, procedures, documentation, and expectations related to paraprofessional services.
• Supports compliance with applicable district policies, collective bargaining agreements, student plans, and state and federal special education requirements as they relate to paraprofessional services.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding students, staff, and district matters.
• Performs other duties as directed by the Special Education Supervisor.

This job posting is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or requirements associated with the position. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to modify the job description or the position at any time, as needed, to meet the needs of the district.

Position Details:

Title: Paraprofessional Coordinator

Reports to: Special Education Supervisor

Calendar: 190 Days

Compensation: $40,000-50,000 based on experience plus insurance, paid time off and retirement

Lacy Schneider, Special Education Supervisor

Portland Public Schools

1100 Ionia Rd

Portland, MI 48875

Questions about the position or the district can be sent to Lacy Schneider at [e-mail]

No person applying for employment at Portland Public Schools shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes"), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. We are an equal opportunity employer.