Para Special Education High Incidence (2026-2027 School Year)

Wichita Public Schools•Wichita, KS

About The Position

Under the supervision of an administrator and the direction of certificated or licensed staff, the Para Special Education High Incidence assists teachers in educating students. Duties include instructional assistance, organization, record keeping, student behavior management, classroom safety, and communication with students, support staff, and parents. Students served may have cognitive, communication, social, behavioral, or emotional disabilities and may need academic or adaptive behavior skills instruction. The position supports students in classroom and school activities, helps implement behavior plans and Individual Education Plans (IEPs), assists with inclusion in regular education settings, and provides individual or group instruction following the teacher’s initial instruction. The paraeducator may assist students with self-care, hygiene, feeding, toileting, dressing, physical transfers, medical needs under appropriate professional supervision, and transportation-related activities. Work may involve travel between buildings and assignments. The role requires maintaining confidentiality, communicating and collaborating professionally with teachers, staff, students, and parents, attending required meetings and conferences, and completing annual in-service training. The position may involve responding to emergencies, including use of physical restraint techniques when necessary for student and staff safety. It is non-exempt.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
For positions in a Title School, at least 48 accredited college credits verified by transcript or a passing score on a state-approved assessment.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with people inside and outside the organization to give and obtain information.
Ability to communicate effectively with a supervisor when supervisory discretion is needed.
Ability to work effectively as a team member; plan, organize, make decisions, and prioritize work to meet daily building demands.
Professional manner, positive attitude, good judgment, confidentiality, and compliance with professional dress and appearance standards.
Ability to respond immediately to emergencies, which may include using physical restraint techniques for student and staff safety.
Ability to work in various weather conditions; walk long distances; stand for long periods; bend, twist, balance, stoop, climb steps, and reach overhead.
Manual dexterity, physical ability, and stamina for a full day of physical activity; ability to see and hear well; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 20 pounds.
Punctuality and attendance for assigned duties and scheduled hours, except when approved leave is granted; prior approval is required for deviations from assigned hours.
Some positions require in-service training or coursework in first aid, symptoms of child abuse, and/or symptoms and signs of illness.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of sign language modalities, Braille, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI), or other special skills may be required for some positions.
Demonstrated proficiency in developing and delivering training to meet the targeted needs of an identified audience.

Responsibilities

Supervise students in class settings as directed by the teacher and assist with classroom routines and procedures.
Assist with behavior interventions, crisis response, behavior-plan implementation, documentation, and feedback to support students’ positive self-esteem.
Supervise school activities on or off campus during the instructional day and assist students moving between assigned areas and buses.
Assist with classroom setup, technology integration, student engagement, instruction, questioning and discussion, self-advocacy, and integration into regular education classrooms.
Provide individual or group instruction, including to regular education students, after the teacher’s initial instruction.
Assist the teacher with instructional design, follow-through, IEP development and implementation, and community-based instruction.
Observe and chart student behavior and assist with student discipline as instructed by the teacher.
Communicate with students, parents, instructional staff, and support staff as directed by the administrator or classroom teacher.
Maintain confidentiality and professional rapport; demonstrate sensitivity, appropriate role modeling, teamwork, flexibility, and responsiveness.
Attend and participate in staff meetings, professional learning communities, and parent conferences as required.
Complete at least 20 in-service hours annually, or at least 10 hours annually after three years.
Assist with student transportation, including assisting students to and from buses and supporting drivers until departure time.
Assist with students’ medical needs under the direct supervision of the school nurse or another appropriate professional.
Assist students with basic needs, including self-care, hygiene, feeding (which may include tube feeding), toileting, diapering, dressing, and physical transfers.
Travel between buildings and assignments when necessary and perform additional duties as assigned.