Paraprofessional Educator Special Education Special Programs Secondary

Anchorage School District; United States; On-site; USD 28,282 - 29,480; Full time

Job summary

A school district in Alaska is seeking a Paraprofessional Educator for Special Education programs to implement and support instructional services for students. Responsibilities include providing assistance to students primarily in special education classrooms and collaborating with teachers to modify materials and track student progress. Ideal candidates will possess a high school diploma or meet Alaska paraprofessional requirements with strong communication skills. Full-time position with a salary range of $20.53 to $21.40 per hour, DOE.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must meet Alaska paraprofessional requirements.
• Basic literacy skills in reading, writing, and math.

Responsibilities

• Provides special education services and support for students under supervision.
• Prepares or modifies instructional materials.
• Collects data in accordance with student IEP goals.

Skills

Excellent communication and customer service skills

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Basic literacy skills in reading, writing, and math

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Must meet Alaska paraprofessional requirements

Job description

Paraprofessional Educator – Special Education – Special Programs – Secondary (Job ID: 22465)

Job Summary

The Secondary Special Programs Paraprofessional Educator implements special education services and supports for students under the direction of a special education teacher. The paraeducator provides instructional assistance to special education students primarily in special education classrooms and in other settings within the schools. The position includes a retirement association with the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).

Qualifications

Required:

• A high school diploma or equivalent, or current enrollment in a GED program.
• Must meet Alaska paraprofessional requirements by one of the following:
• 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.
• Passing the ASD Master Teacher paraprofessional training.
• Basic literacy skills in reading, writing, and math.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with staff, parents, students, administrators, and the public.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and inspire confidence and cooperation of staff, parents, students, administrators, and the public.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as Individual Education Plans (IEPs), behavior plans, and lesson plans under the direction of a special education teacher.
• Must possess the ability to read and write in English.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of first aid.
• One year of experience working with children with significant disabilities.
• Basic experience with office equipment and computer literacy skills including word processing, printing, and e‑mail.
• Ability to read and interpret information from a variety of professionals, including psychologists, behavioral specialists, counselors, and mental health specialists, and use the information to support students.
• Ability to implement details of individual students’ behavioral support plans readily.
• Ability to remain calm and maintain a professional demeanor during conflict and make effective decisions under pressure.
• Ability to share essential information appropriately with team members to aid in student program development.
• For programs in neighborhood schools: overall physical conditioning and ability to provide physical support for students in various settings.
• Willingness and ability to be trained on Positive Behavioral Supports, positive reinforcement techniques, appropriate behavioral interventions, and de‑escalation techniques.
• A valid Alaska driver’s license and willingness to use personal vehicle for department business.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides special education services and support for students individually or in small groups under supervision.
• Prepares or modifies instructional materials, including assistive technology devices for student use.
• Collects data in accordance with student IEP goals and objectives as directed.
• Collaborates and works cooperatively with colleagues and staff.
• Follows written and oral instructions and implements teacher-directed programming and strategies.
• Plans and implements accommodations and modifications, behavioral and social interventions, and individual behavior improvement plans; assists students to and from the bus.
• Attends to students’ daily hygiene, personal, and health-related care, including dressing, feeding, and toileting.
• Provides detailed, explicit information on students’ functioning and progress to support teachers and related staff.
• Assists in positioning, range‑of‑motion tasks, and transferring students between apparatus.
• Assumes safety responsibilities during community‑based instruction and vocational training; assists students in community, recreational, school, and leisure activities.
• Supports the district’s values of diversity, respect, and confidentiality.
• Implements district‑approved de‑escalation techniques.
• Provides primary support in special or regular education classroom environments; offers additional support during lunch, breaks, and recess as specified in the IEP.
• For Life Skills and Structured Learning classrooms: provides support in both special education and regular education settings, including corridors, lunchroom, gym, library, and community vocational instruction.

Physical / Mental Demands

The position requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking, and hearing. The employee must reach with hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. They must comprehend vague instructions, recall facts, handle conflict, make decisions under pressure, and manage stress in a dynamic environment.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a professional environment with diverse individuals and settings. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions, moderate noise levels, and video displays.

Additional Job Information

Offer of employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. The position may require work in ASD facilities on military installations (JBER). This position may involve additional duties as directed by authorized personnel.

Salary and Benefits

Bargaining Unit: TOTEM

Work Year: 9 months

Work Day: 7.0 hours per day

FTE: Full time, 0.875 FTE

Salary: T‑10, $20.53 to $21.40 per hour, DOE

This position receives an additional $1.00 per hour worked, not to exceed 8 hours per day.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.