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 position works with certified teachers, occupational therapists, and other certified specialists in the education, care, and development of students with mental, physical, emotional, or other special needs. At this level, the employee provides instructional, vocational, and developmental assistance to trainable and educable exceptional students. Work is performed under the direction of a certified teacher or other school official, with essential functions tailored to assigned students’ needs. Related work may be assigned as directed. The role requires assisting students with learning activities, physical and motor development, daily living skills, behavior, and participation in school routines. It also includes documenting student activities and behavior, supporting lesson and behavior-plan preparation, and using special-needs equipment and standard office equipment. The employee must complete ESE Training within 45 days of hire. The position involves very heavy physical effort, including lifting or moving objects weighing up to 100 pounds and occasionally more, and regular exposure to adverse conditions such as violence when working with developmentally disabled or emotionally disturbed children. The district will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least two years of experience working with school-age children in an educational environment that provides broad familiarity with the physical and emotional behaviors and challenges of children with exceptional needs, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Demonstrated stress-management skills.
Ability to meet the dexterity and physical requirements of the work and effectively attend to special needs.
Successfully complete ESE Training within 45 days of hire.
Ability to operate, maneuver, or control special-needs equipment and devices and standard office equipment.
Ability to carry out detailed but uncomplicated written or oral instructions and follow established practices, with some latitude for independent judgment.

Nice To Haves

Additional HRS training is preferred.
A passing score on the Para Assessment or an associate’s degree or 60 completed semester credits may qualify candidates for a higher hourly rate in a certified position, with supporting evidence provided.

Responsibilities

Provide instructional, vocational, and developmental assistance to students with special needs as prescribed by the supervising teacher.
Assist students arriving on buses and escort them between learning areas; physically transfer students from wheelchairs to desks or floor mats as needed.
Assist students with gross motor activities, including grasping, holding objects, posture, crawling, walking, and running, as appropriate to individual development.
Assist students with fine motor activities, including playing with toys, cutting materials, and coloring, as appropriate to individual development.
Assist students with daily living skills, including dressing, eating, lavatory needs, grooming, and personal hygiene, as appropriate to individual development.
Monitor, observe, and chart student behavior, documenting behavioral changes, outbursts, and other student-specific actions.
Apply crisis-intervention principles and procedures for students with aggressive behavior or other social difficulties, including physical restraint when necessary in violent circumstances.
Reinforce school and learning-environment rules, encourage appropriate behavior, and help students distinguish inappropriate behavior.
Assist with lesson plans, behavior modification plans, teacher pre-planning sessions, learning activities, and instructional or vocational materials.
Maintain accurate and complete records of student activities and behavior; enter student information and data using a computer terminal as needed, and complete applicable forms, schedules, and instructional reports as directed.
Assist teachers in supervising learning activities by circulating in the classroom and providing students with assistance and learning support.
Perform assigned monitoring duties, such as hallway, lunchroom, restroom, or bus duty; support appropriate conduct and escort students to designated activities and areas.
Provide assistance in assigned labs and communicate lesson-plan or other information to students for improved understanding and comprehension, as assigned.
Keep current with job-appropriate technology used by OCPS and attend district-supported training to maintain the required skill level.
Maintain timely and accurate information as part of job responsibilities.
Perform related duties as directed.