TITLE: Para-Professional, SpEd (Special Education)                                     STATE CODE: 055

REPORTS TO:  Principal                                                             FSLA STATUS: Non-Exempt

EXPECTATION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES:

• Supports the organization’s mission, vision and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, teamwork, innovation, respect, commitment to our community, accountability and ownership.

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Assists teachers, Psychologist and Therapist with curriculum planning, supervision, and teaching of children in a classroom, Centers, Resource or Life-Skills setting; assists in presenting and reinforcing learning concepts.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides support to the teacher to ensure a safe and stimulating educational environment.
• Charting the progress of the student’s IEP goals that include educational, vocational, self-help skills, and personal hygiene needs.
• Assists the teacher or Therapist in planning and preparation for daily activities; aids instructional efforts of the teacher.
• Plans, prepares, and develops various teaching aids for use in classroom, including activity sheets, drawings, and similar handouts.
• Presents subject matter to students under the guidance of a teacher, utilizing a variety of methods including stories, discussions, and role-playing.
• Assists students individually or in groups, with lesson assignments to present or reinforce learning concepts.
• Supervises students on the school bus.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to understand and follow specific instructions and procedures.
• Skill in preparing instructional aids and plans.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow safety procedures.
• Ability to provide activities for children that encourage healthy growth.
• Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for children.
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time, lift students and equipment and be able to work both inside and outdoors.
• Ability to manage non-verbal and difficult children.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Must have an Associate’s degree or greater or 60+ semester hours of coursework documented on an official transcript from an accredited institution of higher education; or
• Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through the passage of a formal state approved assessment listed below within 90 days of hire:

• Para Pro Assessment

• First Aid and CPR certification required within 90 days of hire.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

      Work Environment involves no physical risks or hazardous conditions

XX  Work environment involves slight physical risks that require basic safety precautions (safety glasses, lab coats, rubber gloves etc.)       Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following detailed safety precautions (such as wearing respirators, handling hazardous materials, and working with industrial machinery.)

PHYSICAL EFFORT:

                                                Rarely        Occasionally       Routinely            Often

                                                (0-5%)               (6-25%)             (26-75%)        (over 75%)

Sitting                                       _____               __X__               _____               _____

Standing                                   _____               _____               __X__               _____

Bending/Stooping                     _____               __X__               _____               _____

Crawling/Kneeling                      __X__               _____               _____               _____

Climbing                                   __X__               _____               _____               _____

Pushing/Pulling                         __X__               _____               _____               _____

Lifting (Under 10 lbs.)                __X__               _____               _____               _____

Lifting (10 Lbs. Or more)            _____               _____               __X__               _____

Carrying (Under 10 lbs.)            __X__               _____               _____               _____

Carrying (10 lbs. or more)          _____               __X__               _____               _____

Reading documents for

general understanding               __X__               _____               _____               _____

Reading Documents for

analytical purposes or high

degree of accuracy                    _____               __X__               _____               _____

Viewing Video Terminals            _____               __X__               _____               _____

Other (Describe below)              _____               _____               _____               _____

Describe “Other”:  ______________________________________________________

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” employment relationship.

_____________________________             ________________________

          Employee Signature                                                     Date