Paraprofessional Educator Special Education Behavior Support

Unalaska City School District; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 28,282 - 29,480; Full time

Job summary

An educational organization seeks a Paraprofessional Educator in Anchorage, Alaska, to support students with emotional and behavioral challenges. This role includes providing instructional services in reading and math, implementing IEPs, and maintaining professional relationships with students and staff. A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Experience in a related field is preferred. The position offers a full-time schedule with a salary range of $20.53 to $21.40 per hour, depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Must have high school diploma or equivalent, or be enrolled in a GED program.
• Required to meet state paraprofessional requirements in Alaska.
• Knowledge of first aid is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides instructional services in reading, math, and writing under supervision.
• Collaborates as a team member with staff and community agencies.
• Implements special education services as detailed in the IEP.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service skills

Basic literacy in reading, writing, and math

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Problem-solving skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job ID and Posting

Paraprofessional Educator Special Education Behavior Support

Job ID: 22500

Location and Position Type

Location: KASUUN ELEMENTARY

Position Type: Classroom Support / Paraprofeducator Spec Ed Behavior Support

Work Details

• Work Year: 9 months
• Work Day: 7.0 hours per day
• FTE: Full time, .875 FTE
• Salary: T-10, $20.53 to $21.40 per hour, DOE
• Additional hourly supplement: $2.00 per hour up to 8 hours per day

Job Summary

The Behavior Support Paraprofessional Educator provides academic and behavioral support for students experiencing emotional disturbance, social and behavioral challenges, or mental health impairments. The position has a retirement association with the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).

Job Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent, or current enrollment in a GED program.
• Meet paraprofessional requirements for the state of Alaska through one of the following methods: 48 college semester credits from a regionally accredited institution, a passing score of 459 or greater on the ETS Paraprofessional Assessment exam, passing the WorkKeys by ACT assessment, or passing the ASD provided Master Teacher paraprofessional training.
• Basic literacy skills in reading, writing, and math.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and inspire confidence and cooperation of staff, parents, students, administrators, and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain a professional relationship with staff, parents, students, administrators, and the public.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of first aid.
• Experience working with students in a job‑related capacity such as in a school, specialized class, clinic setting, residential facility, or agency setting.
• Two years of experience working in general education, special education, private school, agency, clinic, residential treatment, or other mental health settings.
• Basic experience with office equipment and computer literacy skills including word processing, printing, and e‑mail.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as Individual Education Plans, behavior plans, and lesson plans, etc., under the direction of a special education teacher.
• Must be able to readily recall details of individual students’ behavioral support plans.
• Ability to resolve problems, handle conflicts, and make effective decisions under pressure.
• Ability to share essential information appropriately with fellow team members to aid in the development of individual student programs.
• Ability to read and interpret information from a variety of professionals, including psychologists, behavioral specialists, counselors, and mental health specialists and under the direction of these specialists and the special education teacher, appropriately use the information to support students.
• Ability to remain calm and maintain a professional demeanor during times of conflict.
• For behavior programs in neighborhood schools: overall physical conditioning and ability to provide physical support for students in a variety of settings within the classroom or school. Ability and willingness to be trained on a variety of topics, including Positive Behavioral Supports, positive reinforcement techniques, appropriate behavioral interventions and de‑escalation techniques.
• For behavior programs in special schools: overall physical conditioning and ability to provide physical support for students which will include activities such as running, carrying students, getting up and down from the floor. Ability and willingness to be trained in district sanctioned de‐escalation techniques.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides instructional services in reading, math, writing, etc., to students individually or in small groups under the supervision of a special education teacher.
• Prepares or modifies instructional materials for students as specified by special education teacher.
• Collects academic and behavioral data in accordance with student(s) IEP goals and objectives as directed by certified special education staff.
• Collaborates and works cooperatively, as a team member, with colleagues, staff, and community agency personnel.
• Follows written and oral instructions, and independently follows through on teacher directed academic and behavioral programming/strategies.
• Implements and provides special education services and support for students as detailed in the IEP. Duties will include providing instructional services, accommodations and modifications, behavioral and social interventions, individual behaviour improvement plans, personal hygiene assistance and assisting/monitoring students to and from buses.
• Implements ASD approved de-escalation techniques as required by district behavioral programs.
• For behavior programs in neighborhood schools: majority of hours spent in special education or general education classroom environments. Student support may also be required in other school settings such as restrooms, corridors, lunch rooms, gyms, conference rooms or playgrounds. This includes assistance/monitoring during lunch periods, breaks and recesses, and assisting students to and from buses as specified in the IEP.
• For behavior programs in special schools: majority of hours spent in special education classrooms, working in other school settings such as restrooms, corridors, lunch room, gym, playground. Required to attend students during outside recess on playground and to and from the bus.
• Supports the Anchorage School District’s position of valuing diversity, promoting respect, and maintaining standards of confidentiality.

Physical / Mental Demands

The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with hand and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, employee must understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure. Must be able to manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment.

Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of settings. The employee may routinely be exposed to video displays, outdoor weather conditions. Noise level is usually moderate.

Additional Job Information

This job description does not list all duties; employees may be required to follow additional job‑related instructions and perform any other duties as requested by authorized persons.

English Proficiency

Employees must read and write in English, communicate in English with staff, co‑workers, and the public, and comprehend oral and written directions and instructions.

Background Check and Military Installation Requirement

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. For certificated positions, this is in addition to the background check conducted through the certification process with the Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). This position may require work in ASD facilities on military installations (JBER). Please visit the government REAL ID website for additional information.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.