SpEd Paraprofessional - Autism

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

7d•$21 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The SpEd Paraprofessional - Autism performs day-to-day instructional activities for students on the autism spectrum under the supervision of a teacher. The paraprofessional does not make diagnostic or long-term educational decisions regarding special education students. The role supports licensed special education teachers, the autism specialist, occupational and physical therapists, nurses, and other evaluative staff in implementing student goals. The position may be held by a licensed or unlicensed individual. It addresses current student needs at Foothills Elementary School; if needs change, the employee may be reassigned to another school at any time during the school year. The role carries out lessons in designated learning environments and implements programming such as Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior Training. It includes one-on-one and small-group student support, behavior monitoring and data collection, curriculum assistance, supervision, student care, and classroom and program support. The employee must obtain and maintain certifications needed to support students with special needs and attend required training and meetings. The duties listed are illustrative and may be modified by the district. The position is generally performed in a school setting, with occasional visits to homes, job sites, or offices. The work environment may range from quiet to loud and can involve high classroom noise and potential conflict or risk of personal harm. The employee works scheduled school/work hours and may be directed to work extended hours or days. The schedule is 7.5 hours per day, 37.5 hours per week, 176 days per year, Monday through Friday.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to adapt to changing technologies and learn new equipment and systems.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with students and adults in varied settings.
Ability to use software systems and office productivity applications to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information.
Ability to establish and maintain accurate records, document management, and filing systems.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, and the public.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions and interact with the public courteously and professionally.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and understand data privacy laws and their implications in education.
Ability to manage simultaneous demands, set priorities, work independently, and work well as part of a team.
Ability to work the days, hours, locations, and assignments directed by the supervisor within the position’s responsibilities.
Commitment to students’ education as a primary responsibility; student-centered and relationship-focused approach.
Considerable knowledge of district policies, procedures, and functions; knowledge of office methods and procedures.
Knowledge of special education, other educational programming, and related legal requirements as they apply to assigned students.
Effective organizational, time-management, interpersonal, listening, problem-solving, and collaborative skills; detail-oriented.
Demonstrates the listed qualities of citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness.
Energetic, creative, innovative, flexible, and able to promote a positive climate, culture, and community.
Willingness to receive on-the-job training specific to student needs, such as Applied Behavior Analysis, Verbal Behavior Training, or signing.
Willingness to attend CO-TOP opportunities and other professional learning, participate in ongoing training, and be trained to carry out delegated nursing practices.
Ability to meet students’ physical and self-help needs, including toileting, feeding, dressing, and transfers.
Ability to physically restrain or escort students when necessary, following applicable Nonviolent Crisis Intervention guidelines, and visually and auditorily monitor students.
Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds; safely lift 50 pounds each in a two-person lift; student lifts may exceed this depending on assignment and need.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or squat, climb stairs, ladders, or stools, reach, grasp, and use computer keyboards and writing utensils.

Responsibilities

Report consistently for scheduled work and perform other duties as assigned.
Attain proficient or higher evaluations on established performance standards.
Obtain and maintain certifications necessary to support students with special needs.
Carry out instructional programs and lessons in learning environments designated by lesson plans.
Implement autism-specific programming, including Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior Training, and work one-on-one with students on that programming.
Monitor student behavior programs and reward systems; collect assessment and monitoring data and prepare data collection sheets.
Use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques for behavior management when appropriate, including removing disruptive or defiant students as needed.
Assist students with recitation, reading, curriculum tasks, teacher-directed activities, tutoring, and non-standardized testing.
Accompany and assist students in classrooms and on trips to the office, school nurse, and field trips when needed.
Work individually and with small groups, help resolve disciplinary issues, and stay current on behavior management techniques.
Provide initial first aid or emergency care and assist with students’ physical and self-help needs, including dressing, movement, toileting, meal preparation, feeding, and cleanup.
Monitor students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, bus loading, and use of the swimming pool, weight room, and therapy pool.
Supervise students using computer programs and help them locate materials and books in the library.
Develop and implement games and teaching aids; prepare, produce, maintain, sanitize, order, and organize program materials and equipment.
Maintain student files and update information; complete daily paperwork and other clerical duties.
Coordinate assignments and job tasks with classroom teachers and/or employers.
Attend required pre-job and ongoing training, professional learning, meetings, and conferences.
Keep current with curriculum standards, instructional practices, and job procedures.
Laminate materials and prepare bulletin boards for parents and the program.
Maintain confidentiality when working with special education student information.