Special Education Paraprofessional

Beaufort County School District; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Beaufort County School District is hiring an Instructional Assistant to assist students with disabilities by supporting their physical and instructional needs in the classroom. Responsibilities include implementing IEPs, preparing learning materials, managing classroom behavior, and providing personal care as required. Candidates must have an Associate's degree or relevant qualifications. This is a crucial role within a supportive educational environment where maintaining a positive learning atmosphere is essential.

Qualifications

• Must meet No Child Left Behind compliance for Paraprofessional status.
• Knowledge of basic computer operations and general office equipment.
• Physical ability to lift and support students as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing for the physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities.
• Implement individual education plans (IEPs) under teacher supervision.
• Maintain a classroom environment favorable to student learning.

Skills

Knowledge of children with disabilities

Ability to maintain emotional control under stress

Self-starter, self-directed

Ability to assess and resolve unforeseen situations

Willingness to follow directions

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent

60 college credit hours

Satisfactory score on ParaPro Assessment

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

Assistive technology

Job description

POSITION PURPOSE

Under direct supervision of the assigned teacher, assists in providing for the physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities. Assists in the implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction. Works with the certified teacher(s) to implement student IEPs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists teacher(s) in preparation of student work, workstations, and classroom displays.
• Assists in maintaining a classroom environment favorable to learning and relevant to the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Assumes responsibility for learning, adapting, and working through teacher direction regarding each student's special medical, physical, communicative and emotional needs.
• Assists teacher(s) and/or other school personnel in implementing the student's IEP goals and objectives, modifications and adaptations of curriculum.
• Establishes as fully as possible a supportive relationship with the student(s) without intense emotional involvement; encourages student performance and interacts with each appropriately.
• Assists with the supervision of students during student free time, including lunch, playground activities, and bus duty.
• Assists with managing the behavior of students and crisis intervention, including restraining disruptive or dangerous physical behavior as needed.
• Assists students according to their individualized needs, including transferring to/from wheelchairs, lifting, positioning, personal hygiene, feeding, and providing escort and/or other ancillary support as necessary.
• Assists the teacher in developing, implementing and monitoring strategies for reinforcing behavior or academic skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students' needs, interests, and abilities.
• Maintains data collection documentation related to student academic/ social/behavior progress as appropriate.
• Adjusts on-the-spot instruction without immediate teacher directions when necessary and provides daily communication and feedback to teacher(s) on student progress; alerts teacher to special needs of individual students.
• Provides orientation and assistance to substitute teachers assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
• Assists teacher(s) in preparing and maintaining required reports, records and/or other documentation.
• Assists in inventory, care and maintenance of equipment.
• Participates in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as directed or assigned.
• Maintains high level of ethical behavior and strict confidentiality of student information; upholds and enforces school rules, administrative regulations, and adheres to local, state and federal laws, policies, and guidelines as directed.
• Participate in district-sponsored paraprofessional training opportunities, school programs, in-services, and staff meetings as required by the School Administrator or direct supervisor; required training may include such skills as CPR, first aid, feeding, lifting techniques, Nonviolent Physical Crisis Intervention, SAFETY CARE (for students with Autism), disability-specific trainings, Applied Behavior Analysis, and/or assistive technology (Total work week not to exceed 40 hours).

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal, Superintendent or other district office administrator as designated by the Superintendent.

QUALIFICATIONS

Instructional Assistants must meet No Child Left Behind and District compliance for Paraprofessional Highly Qualified status:

• Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; OR
• 60 college credit hours from an accredited college or university; OR
• Satisfactory score on Educational Testing Service ParaPro Assessment.

EXPERIENCE

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of basic computer operations and functions, use of the Internet and Microsoft Office applications, and skill in the use of general office equipment such as calculators, typewriters, copier, etc. Other equipment includes wheelchair lifts, ramps, Hoyer lift, Gait trainer, and/or other assistive equipment or technology.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge and understanding of children with disabilities
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress
• Willingness to follow directions
• Ability to assess and resolve unforeseen situations in accordance with district policy or guidelines
• Ability to accept individual differences among children.
• Self-starter, self-directed, able to work effectively both independently and in a team setting.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical demands while performing the duties of this job include climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching with hands/arms, standing actively for extended periods of time, walking, using hands and fingers to key data, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; talking and hearing; reaching, pushing and pulling with hands/arms; close and distant vision, ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and frequently lift and/or move 25 lbs. Environmental factors: Assist in toileting, including diapering; feeding or oral facilitation; assist with personal hygiene for some students; venting gastrointestinal tube, suctioning (training provided); lifting and positioning disabled students.

• Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job.
• Sit, stand and walk for required periods of time.
• Speak and hear.
• Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision.
• Communicate effectively in English, using proper grammar and vocabulary. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, technology equipment, computers, and/or controls.

WORK PLACE EXPECTATIONS

• Work effectively with and respond to diverse cultures or backgrounds.
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, and dress in a neat, clean and professional manner for the assignment and work setting.
• Have regular and punctual attendance.
• Follow all District policies, work procedures, and reasonable requests by the proper authorities.

REPORTS TO

Principal

DAYS PER YEAR

182

SALARY CLASSIFICATION

Paid on the Classified Salary Schedule Level 105

EMPLOYEE GROUP

Classified

FLSA STATUS

Non-Exempt

EMPLOYEE'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT

1. I have reviewed the above position description and understand its contents.
2. I am aware that my position description may be revised or updated at any time and once notified of changes, I remain responsible for knowledge of its contents.
3. I hereby certify that I possess the physical and mental ability to fulfill the essential functions of the above position with or without reasonable accommodation(s). If I require accommodation(s) in order to fulfill any or all of these functions, I agree to provide information to the District regarding the requested accommodation(s).
Employee's Name (Print): _______________________________
Employee's Signature: _______________________________
Date: __________________________

THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER