Special Education Paraprofessional

Sapulpa Public Schools • Sapulpa, OK

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Paraprofessional provides direct and indirect instruction and supervision to students, including students with disabilities, and assists with classroom routines and individual student needs described in their IEPs. The role supports the classroom teacher’s philosophy, helps prepare materials, follows classroom schedules, assists students with transitions and personal care, and collaborates with service providers. The paraprofessional may also attend meetings, complete clerical tasks, assist with events, and perform other duties assigned by a supervisor.

The position is based in a professional classroom environment. Duties may involve frequent lifting, sitting, standing, walking, and climbing stairs. The work environment may be loud, and some exposure to physical or confrontational student behavior may occur. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The job description may change in response to funding, technology, procedures, productivity factors, or unforeseen events.

Requirements

• High school diploma; documentation must be provided.
• Before hiring, complete and document one of the following: an associate degree or higher, 48 higher-education credit hours, a ParaPro test, or ACT WorkKeys.
• A valid driver’s license may be required.
• Ability to bend, crouch, kneel, grasp, lift up to 50 pounds, carry, push, and pull to assist children with disabilities.
• Complete district-provided training within the first 120 calendar days of employment: 24-hour SDE Paraprofessional training or an SDE-approved equivalent, CPR and First Aid training, and Universal Precautions (Bloodborne Pathogens) training.
• Maintain required annual professional development and CPR/First Aid certification.

Nice To Haves

• OSDE Paraprofessional Certificate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and indirect instruction and supervision of students.
• Maintain professionalism, including confidentiality, adherence to school schedules, and referring non-routine questions from parents, other professionals, or callers to the teacher or principal.
• Respect, support, and implement the classroom teacher’s philosophy in all environments at the site.
• Assist teachers with preparing materials and following classroom cleaning protocols.
• Follow schedules and assist students with transitions, including lunch, bathroom, and special classes.
• Assist with lifting students as instructed for safe transfers to and from a chair, changing table, or toilet.
• Assist students with diapering, toileting, feeding, and tube-feeding needs as appropriate.
• Collaborate with service providers, including PT, OT, SLP, vision, and orientation specialists, to support students’ physical and training needs.
• Attend staffing and IEP meetings at the team’s request.
• Supervise non-instructional activities.
• Complete clerical tasks such as charting, data collection, and record-keeping.
• Complete six hours of professional development annually, which may include de-escalation training.
• Maintain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Attend staff meetings as requested.
• Assist with special events as requested.
• Assist with student needs listed on IEPs.
• Perform other duties assigned by a supervisor.

What This Job Offers

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