ED PARA,EX ED,NC,NON-TITLE I

Orange County Public Schools•Apopka, FL

About The Position

Under direct supervision, the ED Para provides staff support in an educational or child care environment by assisting teachers and students. The role works with certified teachers, occupational therapists, and other certified specialists to support the education, care, and development of students with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities and other special needs. The employee provides instructional, vocational, and developmental assistance to trainable and educable exceptional students under the direction of a certified teacher or other school official. Duties are performed according to the exceptional needs of assigned students; related work may be assigned as directed. The role may require completing the ESE Training within 45 days of hire. Candidates who have passed the Para Assessment or hold an associate’s degree or 60 completed semester credits may be eligible for a higher hourly rate in a certified position, with evidence required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least two years of experience working with school-age children in an educational environment, providing broad familiarity with and understanding of the physical and emotional behaviors and challenges of children with exceptional needs; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may qualify.
Demonstrated 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 operate and control special-needs equipment and devices and standard office equipment.
Ability to carry out detailed written or oral instructions and exercise judgment in routine work.

Nice To Haves

Additional HRS training is preferred.
Passing score on the Para Assessment, an associate’s degree, or 60 completed semester credits may qualify a candidate for a higher hourly rate in a certified position; evidence must be provided.

Responsibilities

Provide instructional, vocational, and developmental assistance to students with disabilities and other special needs, as prescribed by the supervising teacher.
Assist students arriving by bus and accompany them to and from learning areas, including transferring students between wheelchairs and desks or floor mats.
Support students with gross motor activities, including grasping, holding objects, posture, crawling, walking, and running, according to individual development.
Support students with fine motor activities, including playing with toys, cutting materials, and coloring, according to individual development.
Assist students with daily living skills, including dressing, eating, lavatory needs, grooming, and personal hygiene.
Monitor, observe, and chart student behavior, documenting behavioral changes, outbursts, and other student-specific actions.
Use crisis intervention procedures with students exhibiting aggressive behavior or other social difficulties, including physical restraint when necessary in violent circumstances.
Reinforce school and classroom rules, encourage appropriate behavior, and help students understand inappropriate behavior.
Assist with lesson plans, behavior modification plans, teacher pre-planning, learning activities, and the preparation of instructional and vocational materials.
Maintain complete and accurate records of student activities and behavior; enter student information and data using a computer terminal when required; complete applicable forms, schedules, and instructional reports.
Assist teachers in supervising classroom learning activities and provide students with learning support.
Perform assigned monitoring duties in locations such as hallways, lunchrooms, restrooms, and buses, and escort students to designated activity areas.
Provide assistance in assigned labs and may translate lesson plans and other information to help students understand and comprehend them.
Keep current with job-appropriate technology and attend district-supported training to maintain required technology skills.
Maintain timely and accurate information as part of job responsibilities.
Perform related duties as directed.