SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN)

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN) performs day-to-day activities supporting special education students under a teacher’s supervision. The paraprofessional does not make diagnostic or long-term educational decisions. Assignments may take place in traditional or non-traditional learning environments, including off-campus work sites. The position supports the principal and classroom teachers in implementing SSN programs and fostering a positive, safe learning environment, while assisting licensed special education teachers, occupational and physical therapists, nurses, and other evaluative staff with goals for students with severe or profound disabilities. This position addresses current student needs at the specified school. If program or student needs change, the employee may be required to work at another school during the school year. Duties may include supporting instruction and IEP goals; assisting with feeding, personal care, medical tasks, mobility, and behavior management; monitoring students in classrooms and other settings; maintaining records and collecting assessment data; preparing materials; and attending required training and meetings. Duties may be modified by the district. The work is generally performed in a classroom and may also involve visits to homes, schools, offices, job sites, and community-based settings. The employee may encounter varying noise levels, fumes, conflict situations, and potential student medical emergencies. Scheduled school/work hours and days are required, and extended hours or days may be directed. The role involves substantial physical activity, including assisting students with self-care and transfers, lifting, and restraint when necessary and consistent with training.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to adapt to changing technologies and learn new equipment and systems.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and interact with students and adults in varied settings.
Computer proficiency, including office productivity applications and the ability to create, access, enter, retrieve, and manipulate information in software systems.
Ability to maintain accurate records, document management, and filing systems; understand data privacy laws and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and professions, including students, parents, staff, supervisors, and the public.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions and greet and interact with the public courteously and professionally.
Ability to manage simultaneous demands, set priorities, work independently, and work effectively as part of a team.
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; and knowledge of special education, educational programming, and applicable legal requirements as related to assigned students.
Effective organizational and time-management skills; attention to detail; strong interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills; and cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work the days, hours, locations, and assignments directed by the supervisor within the position’s responsibilities.
Ability to meet students’ physical and self-help needs, including toileting, feeding, dressing, and transfers; physically restrain or escort students when necessary under applicable guidelines; and visually and auditorily monitor students.
Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds; perform a two-person lift of 50 pounds per person; and potentially handle greater lifting demands depending on assignment and student need.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or squat, climb stairs, ladders, or stools, reach, grasp, turn objects, use keyboards and writing utensils, and interact through communication devices.
Willingness to attend CO-TOP opportunities and other professional learning related to the job, attend OT-PT training, receive student-specific on-the-job training, be trained in delegated nursing practices, and participate in ongoing training.

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.
Support students’ meal preparation, feeding, and clean-up while implementing communication, oral-motor, sensory-integration, and physical IEP goals.
Carry out instructional programs and lessons in designated learning environments and reinforce teacher-introduced material with small groups under teacher supervision.
Assist students with medical and personal-care tasks, including medication, tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, diapering, and suctioning; clean and disinfect bodily fluids and follow infection-control practices.
Work with confidential special education student information.
Maneuver and secure wheelchairs; accompany students with dressing, mobility, lavatory use, and other physical tasks; and use physical therapy support equipment.
Provide initial first aid or emergency care.
Sanitize equipment and materials; monitor student behavior contracts and reward systems; and use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques when appropriate and trained.
Assist with non-standardized testing; develop and implement games and teaching aids; tutor students; and support recitation, reading, and other curriculum tasks.
Assist students in preparing, producing, and maintaining materials and equipment; coordinate assignments and job tasks with teachers or employers; and work with students individually and in groups.
Support students in the library, conduct story time, monitor students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, and bus loading, and supervise use of computer programs, swimming pools, weight rooms, or therapy pools as assigned.
Accompany and assist students in classroom, community-based, and other assigned settings.
Attend required pre-job and ongoing training and meetings, including training related to occupational and physical therapy, student-specific needs, and delegated nursing practices.
Serve as a resource to the student personnel evaluation team regarding assigned students as needed.
Work with teachers to integrate assistive technology into classrooms.
Maintain and update student files; collect assessment and monitoring data; and complete daily paperwork and other clerical duties.
Maintain, order, and organize program materials and equipment; laminate materials and prepare bulletin boards as needed.