Paraprofessional (Intensive Special Education)

Grafton Public Schools; Grafton (MA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Grafton Public Schools in Grafton, Massachusetts is seeking a Paraprofessional to provide behavioral and learning support under the supervision of the school principal. The role supports students with varied learning and behavioral needs, assists with routines, data collection, and collaboration with teachers, behavior specialists, and other staff.

The position requires a High School diploma or equivalent, with preferred two years of post-secondary education and protective measure certification.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• Two years of post-secondary education (48 credit hours) preferred.
• Protective measure certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Modify instructional materials to meet individual IEP needs under supervision.
• Foster independence and routines for students on IEPs.
• Work with small groups to support instructional programming.
• Support students during lunch, assemblies, recess and field trips.
• Implement student behavioral plans with consistent prompting and contingencies.
• Assist in daily living skills as needed (dressing, feeding, toileting).
• Collect and maintain data for assigned students.
• Participate in confidential meetings to review progress and goals.
• Maintain student confidentiality in and out of school.
• Manage challenging behaviors with prompting and safe holds as needed.
• Recognize antecedents and intervene to reduce challenging behaviors.
• Attend trainings/workshops and monitor bus safety.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

De-escalation techniques

Team collaboration

Behavioral support

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Two years of post-secondary education (48 credit hours)

Job description

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Position Title: Paraprofessional

Location: Grafton Public Schools, Grafton, Massachusetts

Supervisor: School Principal

Position Purpose (or Goal or Objective): To provide behavioral and learning support, instruction and monitoring for children and youth with varied learning and behavioral needs.

Job Responsibilities

• Modify instructional and assessment materials to meet the needs of individual students as prescribed by their IEP under the direction of the special education teacher
• Foster independence in students on IEPs by assisting them in the routines of school life
• Work with individuals or small groups of students to support instructional programming in the assigned area
• Support students during lunch periods, assemblies, recess and field trips
• Implement the student’s behavioral plan by using the standard principles of reinforcement, by providing consistent implementation of contingencies, and by delivering accurate prompting as needed
• Support student acquisition of daily living skills such as dressing, feeding, washing, toileting as needed
• Collect, organize, graph and maintain all data for assigned students
• Prepare for and actively participate in confidential consultation meetings with administration, supervisors and other staff to provide regular feedback to the special education team members on the progress and challenges experienced by assigned students in addressing their IEP goals
• Practice and maintain student confidentiality both within and outside the school environment.
• Complete brief objective summaries of students’ performance within the daily communication book.
• Manage the students’ challenging behaviors by: Verbal and/or Physical prompting, notification to appropriate supervisory staff when physical restraint is needed and adherence to appropriate physical restraint procedures and safe hold positions.
• Recognize the antecedents of more challenging student behaviors and intervene with appropriate support to reduce the behavior.
• Discrete Trials
• Teaching Methodology of Applied Behavioral Analysis
• Attend all scheduled training/workshops
• Monitor student behavior on the bus ride to ensure safety at all times during the route
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Ability to utilize physical management and/or current protective measure training and de-escalation techniques as trained
• Ability to physically assist students who may be 50 pounds or greater
• Willingness to work collaboratively with a team or other paraprofessionals, classroom teachers, behavior specialists, and other service providers
• Must be flexible and understanding of the students and programs they may be assigned to, which may include assisting other students and/or needing to support in other buildings where staffing may be needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of post-secondary education equivalent to at least 48 credit hours from an accredited higher education institution
• Experience in working with children and youth in the classroom or in clinical and therapeutic settings
• Protective measure certification

Position Type: FLSA Non-Exempt

Work Year: 183 days per year (180 school days, plus 3 professional development days)

Work Day: 6.42 hours per day (school day plus 15 minutes each before and after school)

Salary/Pay Rate: $22.66-$26.99 hourly (appropriate step on the School Year Support Staff contractual salary schedule)

Evaluation Process: Performance will be evaluated by the administration as contractually agreed to with the School Committee.

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Christopher Starczewski , Principal
• 22 Providence Road
• Grafton, Massachusetts 01519
• Phone: [phone]
• Fax: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

Instructional Support > Individual Aide

Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA