Part-Time Paraprofessional (Life Skills Support)

Allentown School District; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 25,003 - 35,610; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Reimbursement

Tuition Reimbursement

Personal and Sick Time

PSERS Retirement Fund

Job summary

Allentown School District is seeking an instructional paraprofessional to support children with disabilities under the direction of certificated staff. Responsibilities include providing instructional support, assisting in maintaining a safe environment, and implementing individualized education plans (IEPs). Candidates must meet educational requirements and participate in 20 hours of staff development activities annually. Benefits include medical, dental, vision insurance, and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid Act 34, 114, and Act 151 clearances.
• U.S. citizen or holder of a valid work visa.
• Participate in 20 hours of approved staff development activities annually.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional support under the direction of teachers.
• Assist in maintaining a safe school environment.
• Follow and implement positive behavior support plans.

Skills

Educational requirements for ‘highly qualified paraprofessional’

Basic reading, writing, and math competencies

Valid clearances (Act 34, 114, 151)

Ability to administer tests and tutor

Participation in 20 hours of approved staff development

Education

Associate degree or higher

At least 2 years of postsecondary study

Job description

Starting Salary

$22.00/hr.

Qualifications

• Must meet educational requirements for “highly qualified paraprofessional,” as defined by the federal laws, No Child Left Behind, and IDEA. Must meet educational requirements of Chapter 14, PA Code 22.
• Must meet basic reading, writing, and math competencies.
• Valid Act 34, 114, and Act 151 clearances.
• Valid tuberculosis test and physical examination with ADA reasonable accommodations stipulated, as appropriate.
• Must continue to meet the required annual obligations of Chapter 14, PA Code 22: 20 hours of approved staff development activities related to their assignment.
• U.S. citizen or holder of a valid work visa.
• Such additional or alternative qualifications as the board or superintendent may determine appropriate and acceptable.
• Have completed at least 2 years of postsecondary study.
• Possess an associate degree or higher.
• Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through a State or local assessment.
• Participate in 20 hours of approved staff development activities annually.

Summary

An instructional paraprofessional is a school employee who works under the direction of a certificated staff member to support and assist in providing instructional, behavioral, and functional programs and services to children with disabilities or eligible young children. The support and assistance include one‑on‑one or group review of material taught by certificated staff, classroom management, and implementation of positive behavior support plans. Services may be provided in a special education class, regular education class, or other instructional setting such as community‑based instruction as provided in the student’s IEP.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the principal and other professionals in maintaining a safe and orderly school environment.
• Assist the special education and regular education teachers in the delivery of appropriate instructional and tutorial strategies as per the individualized educational plan (IEP).
• Under the direction of the teacher, provide instructional support for the purpose of supporting/reinforcing lessons (e.g., administering tests, tutoring or reinforcing instruction).
• Collect observational and academic data for the purpose of progress monitoring.
• Maintain students’ files/records for the purpose of documenting activities and/or providing reliable information.
• Follow and implement positive behavior support plans.
• Handle students’ personal needs (e.g., feeding, toileting, diapering, etc.) for the purpose of providing care to students who may or may not have medical conditions.
• Assist students’ safe transitions from/to locations and environments within and around the school (e.g., bus, cafeteria, community‑based instruction, etc.).
• Participate in specialized training related to the individualized needs of eligible students with IEPs.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with FERPA regulations/Chapter 14.
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations as per standing orders and other policies and procedures.
• Perform such other tasks within the expectations of this job category or accept additional responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools, principal, or Director of Special Education.
• Reassign paraprofessionals to support special education students when another paraprofessional is absent (short‑term) or when a student on whom a paraprofessional is assigned is absent, following the building’s priority of needs.

Benefits

The Allentown School District offers a comprehensive benefits package to those who qualify, which may include:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Personal and Sick Time
• PSERS Retirement Fund
• Eligibility for specific benefits will be outlined in each labor group's specific collective bargaining agreement.