SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN)

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The SpEd Paraprofessional – Significant Support Needs (SSN) performs day-to-day instructional and support activities for 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 classrooms or other learning environments, including off-campus work sites. The role supports the principal and classroom teachers in implementing SSN programs and maintaining a positive, safe learning environment, and assists licensed special education teachers, therapists, nurses, and other evaluative staff in carrying out goals for students with severe or profound disabilities. The position’s duties include supporting instruction and student participation; assisting with personal care, feeding, medical tasks, mobility, and therapy-related activities; implementing behavioral supports; monitoring students in classrooms and other settings; and maintaining student information, records, materials, and equipment. Duties may vary by location and student needs. If needs at the specified school change, the employee may be required to work at another school during the school year. The role is based generally in a classroom, with occasional work in homes, schools, offices, job sites, community-based settings, or other locations. The work environment may range from quiet to loud and may involve exposure to bodily fluids, infectious disease risks, fumes, high noise, conflict, or student life-threatening situations. The position requires scheduled school/work hours and may require extended hours or days as directed. The role is scheduled for 37.5 hours per week, 7.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday, for 176 days per year. Compensation is $21.02–$22.07. Benefits eligibility is listed as full-time regular.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and interact courteously and professionally with students, families, staff, and the public.
Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in software systems; computer proficiency, including office productivity applications.
Ability to maintain accurate records, document management, and filing systems, and to maintain confidentiality and understand data privacy laws.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions, work independently without direct supervision, and manage simultaneous demands and priorities.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and professions, and to work effectively in a team.
Commitment to student education; student-centered and relationship-focused approach; patience, compassion, integrity, reliability, respect, and responsibility.
Strong organizational, time-management, interpersonal, written, listening, verbal communication, cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills; attention to detail; flexibility and creativity.
Knowledge of office methods and procedures, district policies and functions, special education and other educational programming, and associated legal requirements relevant to assigned students.
Willingness to attend CO-TOP opportunities, professional learning, OT-PT training, and ongoing training; receive student-specific on-the-job training and training 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 and visually and auditorily monitor them.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or squat; climb stairs, ladders, or stools; reach, hold, grasp, turn objects, and operate computer keyboards.
Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds; safely lift 50 pounds each in a two-person lift, with potentially greater demands depending on assignment and student needs.

Responsibilities

Report consistently for scheduled work and perform other duties as assigned.
Meet established performance standards and obtain and maintain certifications necessary to support students with special needs.
Prepare meals, feed students, clean up after meals, and support communication, oral-motor, sensory-integration, and physical IEP goals.
Carry out instructional programs and lessons in the learning environments designated in lesson plans, 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 sanitize equipment and materials.
Work with confidential special education information and maintain student files and records.
Maneuver and secure wheelchairs; assist students with dressing, moving between rooms, lavatory use, and other physical tasks; and use physical therapy support equipment.
Monitor behavior contracts and reward systems, and use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques when trained and appropriate.
Assist with non-standardized testing; develop and implement games and teaching aids; tutor students; and assist with classroom, curriculum, reading, and recitation activities.
Help students prepare, produce, and maintain materials and equipment; coordinate assignments and job tasks with teachers or employers; and support students individually and in groups.
Assist students with library materials, conduct story time, supervise computer program use, and supervise students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, bus loading, and in swimming pools, weight rooms, or therapy pools.
Attend required pre-job and ongoing training and meetings, assist students in community-based settings, and serve as a resource to the student personnel evaluation team for assigned students as needed.
Work with teachers to integrate assistive technology into classrooms.
Maintain, order, and organize program materials and equipment; collect assessment and monitoring data; complete daily paperwork and clerical duties; laminate materials; and prepare bulletin boards.
Work the days, hours, locations, and assignments directed by the supervisor within the position’s responsibilities.
Provide first aid or emergency care and, when necessary, physically restrain or escort students in accordance with applicable training and guidelines.