SpEd Paraprofessional - Autism

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The SpEd Paraprofessional performs day-to-day instructional activities for students on the autism spectrum under a teacher’s supervision. The paraprofessional does not make diagnostic or long-term special education decisions. The role supports licensed special education teachers, the autism specialist, therapists, nurses, and other evaluative staff in implementing student goals. The position addresses current student needs at Foothills Elementary School; if those needs change, the employee may be reassigned to another school during the school year. Responsibilities include carrying out lesson-plan activities in different learning environments; implementing autism-specific programming such as Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior Training; supporting students individually and in small groups; monitoring behavior programs and reward systems; collecting assessment and monitoring data; and assisting with curriculum, testing, personal care, meals, mobility, and emergency care. The employee also monitors students in classrooms and other settings, maintains records and materials, completes clerical and inventory tasks, sanitizes equipment, and attends required training and meetings. The position is based primarily in a school setting and may occasionally involve visits to homes, job sites, or offices. The work environment may range from quiet to loud and may involve high classroom noise or conflict situations. The employee works scheduled school hours and may be directed to work extended hours or days. The role requires frequent interaction with students, staff, and the public, and may involve physically demanding student support, including lifting, escorting, or restraining students according to training and applicable guidelines.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and interact professionally with students, adults, and the public.
Computer proficiency, including office productivity applications, and ability to use software systems to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information.
Ability to maintain accurate records, document management, and filing systems while preserving confidentiality and understanding data privacy laws.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions, work independently, manage simultaneous demands, and set clear priorities.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, administrators, coworkers, students, parents, and people from diverse backgrounds and professions.
Knowledge of special education, other educational programming, and related legal requirements as they apply to assigned students.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, verbal communication, time-management, cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills; attention to detail.
Commitment to student education and a student-centered, relationship-focused approach; ability to work well in a team setting.
Willingness to receive on-the-job training specific to student needs, attend professional learning opportunities, participate in ongoing training, and be trained to carry out delegated nursing practices.
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, transfers, escorting, and, when necessary, physical restraint according to training and guidelines.
Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds; safely lift 50 pounds each in a two-person lift; and potentially handle greater demands for some assignments based on student needs.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or squat, climb stairs, ladders, or stools, reach, grasp and turn objects, and operate computer keyboards.
Ability to perform visual and auditory monitoring and to interact orally and auditorily with students and others.

Responsibilities

Report consistently for work as scheduled 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 designated learning environments according to lesson plans.
Implement autism-specific programming, including Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior Training.
Work one-on-one with students and in small groups to implement programming and support curriculum tasks.
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 and remove disruptive or defiant students when required.
Assist students with recitation, reading, tutoring, classroom activities, and non-standardized testing.
Support students with meals, feeding, lunch clean-up, outerwear, mobility, lavatory use, and other physical tasks.
Provide initial first aid or emergency care and accompany students to the office, school nurse, or field trips when needed.
Help resolve student disciplinary issues and monitor students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, and bus loading.
Supervise student use of computers, library materials, swimming pools, weight rooms, and therapy pools as assigned.
Develop and implement games and teaching aids; prepare, produce, organize, maintain, and sanitize materials and equipment.
Maintain student files and confidential information, complete daily paperwork, and perform clerical duties.
Coordinate assignments and job tasks with classroom teachers and/or employers.
Attend required pre-job and ongoing training, meetings, and conferences; stay current on behavior-management techniques, curriculum standards, and instructional practices.
Maintain, order, and organize program inventory; assist staff members and prepare bulletin boards for parents and the program.