ED PARA,INTENSIVE DISAB,NC,NT I (ESE)

Orange County Public Schools • ORLANDO, FL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Under direct supervision, provides assistance in the education, care, and development of students with severe disabilities. The position includes instructional, clerical, and behavioral-management duties performed under the direction of a certified teacher, guidance counselor, or administrator, in accordance with the exceptional needs of assigned students. The role supports ESE students across a K–8 campus, including implementation of behavior intervention plans, effective practices, school-wide strategies, and lunch duty.

The paraprofessional supports students’ learning, behavior, development, personal care, and participation in school activities. Duties may include assisting with transportation and transfers, monitoring student needs, supporting classroom instruction and data collection, and providing supervision in various locations. Related duties may be assigned as directed.

Candidates who have passed the Para Assessment, or hold an associate degree or 60 completed semester credits, may be eligible for a higher hourly rate in a certified position. Evidence must be provided, such as official transcripts or a certificate showing a passing assessment score. New hires must successfully complete ESE Training within 45 days of hire.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least two years of experience working with school-age children with exceptional needs (Pre-K through grade 12) in an educational environment, providing familiarity with the physical and emotional behaviors and challenges of children with severe disabilities; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Stress-management skills.
• Ability to meet the dexterity and physical requirements of the work and effectively attend to special needs.
• New hires must successfully complete ESE Training within 45 days of hire.
• Ability to perform very heavy physical work, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects up to 100 pounds and occasionally heavier items.
• Ability to assist people with specialized therapeutic or physical-care plans and procedures.
• Ability to operate, maneuver, or control special-needs equipment and devices.

Nice To Haves

• Passing score on the Para Assessment, or an associate degree or 60 completed semester credits, may qualify candidates for a higher hourly rate in a certified position; documentation is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional, behavioral, and developmental assistance to students with severe disabilities as directed by a supervising teacher or other certified professional.
• Apply basic positive behavioral support practices and assist students in learning problem-solving skills.
• Assist with behavior interventions, including monitoring and charting student behaviors.
• Apply crisis-intervention principles when students display aggressive behavior and may require physical restraint.
• Assist students arriving by bus, including physically transferring students from wheelchairs, and monitor their medical and social-emotional needs.
• Provide support and follow-up for students with severe disabilities assigned to in-school suspension.
• Reinforce school and classroom rules, encourage appropriate behavior, and identify inappropriate behavior using a positive behavioral support approach.
• Escort and provide one-on-one assistance during meals, restroom visits, and other activities throughout the school day.
• Assist students with gross motor activities, fine motor activities, assistive devices, job skills, leisure skills, and daily living and personal-hygiene skills, as appropriate to individual development.
• Assist teachers with lesson plans, behavior intervention plans, accommodations, learning activities, and instructional materials.
• Assist with collecting and reporting data for progress monitoring, progress reports, and IEP development and review.
• Perform assigned monitoring duties in areas such as hallways, lunchrooms, restrooms, and buses; support appropriate conduct and escort students to designated activities.
• Provide assistance in assigned labs and help students understand lesson plans and other information when assigned.
• Keep current with job-relevant technology and attend district-supported training as needed.
• Maintain timely and accurate information related to job responsibilities.
• Support ESE students across campus in grades K–8, including behavior intervention plans, best practices, school-wide strategies, and lunch duty.
• Perform related duties as directed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED