Special Education Paraeducator

Iowa City Community School District•Iowa City, IA

About The Position

The Special Education Paraeducator supports students’ documented needs and performs professional duties in collaboration with school personnel and the special education department. The role includes assisting with the implementation of students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs), preparing and organizing instructional materials and equipment, supporting behavior plans, and providing personal care as needed. Paraeducators implement strategies to prevent, minimize, and manage behavioral challenges with dignity and safety, and may use crisis-response strategies, including physical management when needed and appropriate, after receiving training. The role may involve supporting alternate communication devices, maintaining student documentation and progress-monitoring records, and assisting students during bus transitions or riding the bus based on student needs. Employees should be self-starting, flexible, and intuitive when supporting students, maintain positive relationships and confidentiality, and attend work promptly and regularly. Employment is for 175 days, with up to two additional in-service days, for a total of 177 days. Salary and calendar year are governed by the negotiated agreement between the Iowa City Education Association and the Iowa City Community School District.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Self-starter who is flexible and intuitive in supporting students.
Complete bus rider training provided upon hire.

Nice To Haves

Para certificate or post-secondary education preferred.
Experience in a K–12 education system preferred.
Other qualifications the District finds appropriate and acceptable.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with school personnel and the special education department to support students’ documented needs.
Assist in implementing students’ Individual Education Plans and prepare and organize instructional materials and equipment.
Implement a Behavior Implementation Plan when applicable.
Assist with or perform personal care and hygiene activities as necessitated by student needs.
Implement strategies and participate in ongoing training to prevent, minimize, and manage behavioral challenges with dignity and safety.
Apply crisis-response strategies and training, including physical management when needed and appropriate.
Participate in training and support the implementation of alternate communication devices, ensuring student access across settings.
Participate in verbal de-escalation and crisis-management training provided by the Iowa City Community School District.
Maintain student documentation, Medicaid logs, and progress monitoring as requested.
Support students’ transitions on and off the bus and, when needed, ride the bus to support students.
Complete bus rider training provided upon hire; anticipate occasional or consistent bus riding when supporting students with individual education plans.
Create and maintain positive working relationships with the school community, students, and other employees.
Attend work promptly and regularly.
Maintain confidentiality.
Perform other duties as assigned.