Special Education Paraprofessional 0.5 FTE

West Ada School District • MERIDIAN, ID

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Paraprofessional assists special education teachers in programs including the Resource Room, Extended Resource Room, Positive Behavior Intervention Program, Early Childhood Special Education Program, and Tuition Kindergarten program. The role supports students with a range of mild to severe physical, emotional, and learning disabilities, individually and in groups, in separate classroom facilities and by facilitating inclusion in regular classrooms. Work is primarily performed in a classroom and may involve exposure to body fluids and some risk of personal injury from student behaviors. The paraprofessional receives general supervision from the special education teacher, with overall supervision by the building Principal. The position is 0.5 FTE, working 3.75 hours per day, on a 178-day elementary and middle school calendar or a 179-day high school calendar. Salary is $16.24. Employment is at will, and the terms of employment are determined by calendar year.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• For paraprofessional qualification, meet at least one of these criteria: have two years of college credits; have a college degree; pass the ParaPro Praxis Assessment with a score of 457 or higher; or pass the Idaho Paraprofessional Testing Alternative with a score of 75% or higher.
• For secondary (middle school and high school) buildings, be at least 21 years old.
• If the college credit or degree requirement is not met and the Praxis has not been passed, take the Idaho Paraprofessional Assessment upon hire and pass it within 90 days of the start date.
• Knowledge of basic educational procedures and objectives, classroom instruction and presentation, teaching-material preparation, behavior management and modification, testing and grading, tutoring, and student-teacher relations.
• Knowledge of basic special education methods and procedures for working with students with mild to severe physical, emotional, and/or learning disabilities.
• Ability to operate classroom instructional equipment, standard office equipment, a personal computer, and job-related software.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions and District policies and procedures; adapt classroom instruction and materials to students’ learning levels; and provide basic special education classroom services.
• Ability to remain calm and focused under stress, manage multiple tasks and interruptions, and complete work in a timely manner.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records, files, reports, logs, statistics, and documentation; perform basic office tasks; manage time and schedules; meet deadlines; and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with students, teachers, staff, and other District personnel; communicate effectively orally and in writing; maintain confidentiality; and demonstrate integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness.
• Maintain regular attendance and adhere to the prescribed work schedule.
• Physical ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to hear and communicate effectively, understand written instructions, use classroom and office equipment, interact physically with students, bend, stoop, kneel, stand or sit for long periods, lift at least 25 pounds, and apply prescribed restraint techniques.

Nice To Haves

• College or other advanced education or training.
• Classroom or other instructional experience.
• Experience with children with special needs.
• Equivalent combinations of experience and training that provide the knowledge and abilities to perform the work.

Responsibilities

• Assist special education teachers in the special education program and implement students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Prepare, modify, and adapt lesson plans, classroom materials, and presentations; assist with diagnostic, skills, and level testing.
• Support students with classroom and homework assignments, tutoring, supplemental instruction, socialization, personal hygiene, medications, physical therapy, nutrition, and related personal tasks as needed.
• Assist students individually and in groups, in separate classroom facilities or by facilitating inclusion in regular classrooms.
• Assist regular classroom teachers in adapting presentations and materials for assigned students.
• Assist with classroom activities and management, lesson plans, grading, clerical and record-keeping duties, reports, files, and other documentation as directed.
• Perform substitute teacher duties when the teacher is absent.
• Perform clerical tasks such as copying, entering records and data into a computer, faxing, and preparing text and documents.
• Help maintain a clean, neat, and orderly classroom; prepare bulletin boards and displays; and maintain classroom supply levels.
• Supervise students on field trips and extracurricular activities, and perform school grounds, bus, noon, and other monitoring and safety duties as assigned.
• Participate in appropriate training, workshops, and in-service programs.
• Perform assigned work in accordance with District policies, procedures, and safety practices, and maintain regular attendance and the prescribed work schedule.
• Perform other related duties as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED