SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN) (Multiple Positions)

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position involves performing day-to-day teaching activities for special education students under the supervision of a teacher. The paraprofessional does not make diagnostic or long-term educational decisions. Assignments may be in non-traditional learning environments, including off-campus work sites. The role supports the principal and classroom teachers in implementing Significant Support Needs (SSN) programs and fostering a positive and safe learning environment. The paraprofessional assists licensed special education teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, and other evaluative staff in implementing goals for severely/profoundly disabled students. Note that this position addresses current student needs at a specific school, and the individual may be required to change locations if student needs change, potentially at any time during the school year. The district reserves the right to modify or change duties. Key duties include: * Reports consistently for work as scheduled * Performs other duties as assigned * Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards * Obtains and maintains certifications necessary to support students with special needs * Performs tasks for student(s) such as meal preparation, feeding, and lunch clean-up, implementing communication, oral motor, sensory integration, and physical IEP goals * Carries out instructional programs and lessons in various learning environments as designated in the lesson plan * Under supervision of a teacher, works with small groups of students to reinforce material * Assists the student(s) with medical tasks such as dispensing medication, tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, diapering, suctioning, and may require exposure to blood, vomit, and infectious disease control * Cleans/disinfects regurgitation, blood, and urine * Works with confidential special education student information * Maneuvers and secures wheelchairs * Provides initial first aid/emergency care * Accompanies the student(s) assigned with physical tasks such as putting on and taking off outerwear, moving from room to room, using the lavatory, etc. * Carries out programming using physical therapy support equipment * Sanitizes equipment/materials * Monitors behavior contracts and reward systems for students * Trained and able to perform behavioral management through Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques * Assists with non-standardized testing of students * Develops and implements games and teaching aids * Tutors students in various subject areas * Assists students in preparation, production, and maintenance of materials and equipment * Coordinates completion of assignments and/or job tasks with classroom teachers and/or employers * Works with students in one-to-one/group situations * Assists students in finding materials and books in the library * Conducts story time for students * Monitors students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, and/or loading of buses * Supervises students in the use of various programs on the computer * Supervises swimming pool, weight room, and/or therapy pool * Assists the student(s) in recitation, reading, and other curriculum tasks * Accompanies and assists the student(s) while in the classroom setting * Attends pre-job training, ongoing training, and meetings as required * Assist students in community-based settings * Serves as a resource person to the student personnel evaluation team concerning an assigned student * Works with teachers to integrate assisted technology into classrooms * Maintains student files updating information as appropriate * Maintains, orders, and organizes inventory of materials and equipment * Collects data for assessment and monitoring purposes * Completes daily paperwork (i.e., attendance reports, detention slips, student referral slips, various student passes, physical therapy charts, etc.) * Performs miscellaneous clerical duties and assists other staff members * Laminates all material as needed * Prepares bulletin boards for parents and programs

Requirements

High school graduate - high school diploma or equivalent
Ability to adapt to changing technologies and learn new equipment/systems.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in various software systems.
Ability to establish and maintain accurate record keeping, document management, and filing systems.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to greet and interact with the public courteously and professionally.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities.
Ability to work days, hours, locations, and assignments as directed by the supervisor.
Ability to work independently without direct supervision.
Commitment to the education of students as a primary responsibility.
Communicates effectively with students and adults in a wide variety of settings.
Computer proficiency including office productivity applications.
Considerable knowledge of policies, procedures, and overall district functions.
Demonstrated ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities.
Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a team setting.
Demonstrates citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness.
Demonstrates effective organizational and time management skills.
Detail-oriented.
Energetic, creative, innovative, flexible.
Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of office methods and procedures.
Knowledge of Special Education, other educational programming, and associated legal requirements.
Promotes a positive climate, culture, and community.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills.
Student-centered and relationship-focused.
Understanding of data privacy laws and their implications.
Willing to attend CO-TOP opportunities and other professional learning.
Willing to attend OT-PT training.
Willing to receive on-the-job training specific to student needs (i.e., vision, hearing, motor, Braille, etc.).
Willing to be trained to carry out delegated nursing practices.
Willingness to participate in ongoing training as required.
Ability to meet the physical and self-help needs of students (toileting, feeding, dressing, and transfers).
Ability to physically restrain, following the guidelines of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, an acting out student.
Ability to physically escort a student to various locations.
Ability to perform visual and auditory monitoring of student.
Ability to lift/push/pull or carry up to 50 lbs.; may have to lift students when assistance is required; able to safely lift 50 lbs. each in a two person lift, and may be higher for some assignments depending on position and student need; climb stairs, ladders, and/or stools; reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; use fingers to operate computer keyboards; feel the shape, size and temperature of objects; and physically restrain students when necessary.
Staff member may be required to analyze, communicate, compare, compile, compute, coordinate, copy, evaluate, instruct, negotiate, synthesize, reason, and use interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

Performs day-to-day activities of teaching special education students under supervision.
Supports the principal and classroom teachers in implementing SSN programs.
Assists licensed special education teachers, therapists, and nurses in implementing student goals.
Performs tasks for students such as meal preparation, feeding, and lunch clean-up.
Carries out instructional programs and lessons.
Works with small groups of students to reinforce material.
Assists students with medical tasks including dispensing medication, tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, and diapering.
Cleans and disinfects bodily fluids.
Works with confidential special education student information.
Maneuvers and secures wheelchairs.
Provides initial first aid/emergency care.
Accompanies students with physical tasks.
Carries out programming using physical therapy support equipment.
Sanitizes equipment and materials.
Monitors behavior contracts and reward systems.
Performs behavioral management through Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques.
Assists with non-standardized testing of students.
Develops and implements games and teaching aids.
Tutors students in various subject areas.
Assists students in preparation, production, and maintenance of materials and equipment.
Coordinates completion of assignments with teachers and/or employers.
Works with students in one-to-one/group situations.
Assists students in finding materials and books in the library.
Conducts story time for students.
Monitors students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, and/or loading of buses.
Supervises students in the use of computer programs.
Supervises swimming pool, weight room, and/or therapy pool.
Assists students in recitation, reading, and other curriculum tasks.
Accompanies and assists students in the classroom setting.
Attends pre-job training, ongoing training, and meetings.
Assists students in community-based settings.
Serves as a resource person to the student personnel evaluation team.
Works with teachers to integrate assisted technology into classrooms.
Maintains student files and updates information.
Maintains, orders, and organizes inventory of materials and equipment.
Collects data for assessment and monitoring purposes.
Completes daily paperwork.
Performs miscellaneous clerical duties.
Laminates all material as needed.
Prepares bulletin boards for parents and programs.