Ed Para,Ex Ed,Nc,Non-Title I

Orange County Public Schools•Apopka, FL

About The Position

Under direct supervision, provides staff support in an educational or child care environment by assisting teachers and students. Works with certified teachers, occupational therapists, and other certified specialists to support the education, care, and development of students with mental, physical, emotional, and other special needs. 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. The role may involve assisting students with transfers, mobility, gross and fine motor activities, daily living skills, behavior monitoring, crisis intervention, and classroom learning activities. It also includes keeping accurate student records, helping prepare instructional materials and plans, and performing assigned supervision duties. New hires must successfully complete ESE Training within 45 days of hire. Candidates who have passed the Para Assessment, have an associate’s degree, or have completed 60 semester credits may be eligible for a higher hourly rate in a certified position, provided they submit evidence such as official transcripts or an assessment certificate. The work involves very heavy physical effort, including lifting or moving objects up to 100 pounds and occasionally heavier items, and regular exposure to adverse conditions such as violence when working with developmentally disabled or emotionally disturbed children. Reasonable accommodations are available 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, providing broad familiarity with the physical and emotional behaviors and challenges of children with exceptional needs; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be accepted.
Demonstrated stress management skills.
Ability to meet the dexterity and physical requirements of the work and effectively attend to special needs.
Ability to perform very heavy physical work, including lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy objects and materials up to 100 pounds and occasionally heavier items.
Ability to work with exposure to adverse environmental conditions, including possible violence when working with developmentally disabled or emotionally disturbed children.
Successfully complete ESE Training within 45 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Additional HRS training is preferred.
A 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, 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 by bus and escort them to and from learning areas, including transferring students between wheelchairs and desks or floor mats.
Assist students with gross motor activities such as grasping, holding objects, posture, crawling, walking, and running.
Assist students with fine motor activities such as playing with toys, cutting materials, and coloring.
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.
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 classroom rules, encourage appropriate behavior, and help students understand inappropriate behavior.
Assist with lesson plans, behavior modification plans, teacher pre-planning, learning activities, and preparation of instructional and vocational materials.
Maintain accurate and complete records of student activities and behavior; enter student information and data and complete forms, schedules, and instructional reports as directed.
Assist teachers in supervising classroom learning activities and provide students with learning support.
Perform assigned monitoring duties in areas such as hallways, lunchrooms, restrooms, and buses; ensure appropriate conduct and escort students to designated activities.
Provide assistance in assigned labs and, where applicable, translate lesson plans and other information to support student understanding.
Keep current with job-related technology and attend district-supported training to maintain the technology skills required for the position.
Maintain timely and accurate information as part of job responsibilities.
Perform related duties as directed.