SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN)

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

20d•Onsite

About The Position

The SpEd Paraprofessional supports students with Significant Support Needs (SSN) in day-to-day learning and care activities under the supervision of a teacher. The paraprofessional does not make diagnostic or long-term educational decisions. The role supports the principal and classroom teachers in implementing SSN programs and fostering a positive, safe learning environment. It also assists special education teachers, occupational and physical therapists, nurses, and other evaluative staff in implementing goals for students with severe or profound disabilities. Assignments may take place in non-traditional learning environments, including off-campus work sites. The position addresses student needs at the specified school, but the employee may be reassigned to another school if student needs change. Duties include carrying out teacher-planned instruction; reinforcing learning with individuals and small groups; supporting students’ communication, physical, sensory, medical, self-care, behavioral, and curriculum goals; and assisting with community-based activities and employment tasks. The role also includes maintaining student records and assessment data, preparing and organizing materials and equipment, completing daily paperwork, and collaborating with teachers, employers, families, and other staff. The employee must obtain and maintain certifications needed to support students and participate in required training. Work is generally performed in a classroom and may include visits to homes, schools, offices, and job sites. The employee works scheduled school hours and may be directed to work extended hours or days. The environment may vary from quiet to loud and may involve exposure to fumes, high noise, personal or student safety risks, and medical emergencies. Physical duties include assisting with student care and transfers, lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds (and potentially more depending on assignment), climbing, and physically restraining or escorting a student when necessary. The position 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. The position is listed as full-time regular and non-exempt. Applicants must submit an online Workday application with a current resume in PDF format.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and interact professionally with students, staff, families, and the public.
Ability to create, access, enter, retrieve, and manipulate information in software systems; computer proficiency, including office productivity applications.
Ability to maintain accurate records, document management, and filing systems; maintain confidentiality and understand data privacy laws.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions, work independently, manage simultaneous demands, and set priorities.
Ability to work assigned days, hours, locations, and duties as directed by a supervisor.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and professions and to work well in a team.
Commitment to student education, with a student-centered and relationship-focused approach.
Knowledge of special education, educational programming, and related legal requirements relevant to assigned students; knowledge of office methods and procedures and district functions.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, verbal communication, time-management, collaborative, and problem-solving skills; attention to detail and flexibility.
Willingness to attend CO-TOP opportunities, OT-PT training, and other professional learning; receive student-specific on-the-job training and training in delegated nursing practices; and participate in ongoing required training.
Ability to meet students’ physical and self-help needs, including toileting, feeding, dressing, transfers, physical escort, and restraint when necessary.
Ability to safely lift 50 pounds; some assignments may require greater lifting capacity depending on student needs. Physical duties may include lifting students, climbing stairs or ladders, and standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, grasping, and using equipment.

Responsibilities

Support the principal and classroom teachers in implementing SSN programs and maintaining a positive, safe learning environment.
Assist licensed special education teachers, therapists, nurses, and evaluative staff with implementing student goals.
Carry out instructional programs and lessons in the learning environments specified in lesson plans, and reinforce teacher-introduced material with individuals and small groups.
Assist students with meal preparation, feeding, lunch cleanup, communication, oral-motor, sensory-integration, physical, self-care, and curriculum activities.
Assist with delegated medical tasks, including medication dispensing, tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, diapering, and suctioning; clean and disinfect bodily fluids and sanitize equipment and materials.
Maneuver and secure wheelchairs; assist students with dressing, moving between locations, using the lavatory, and other physical tasks.
Carry out programming using physical therapy support equipment and provide initial first aid or emergency care.
Monitor behavior contracts and reward systems, and use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques when appropriate.
Assist with non-standardized testing; develop and implement games and teaching aids; tutor students; and support preparation, production, and maintenance of materials and equipment.
Coordinate assignments or job tasks with classroom teachers and employers, and assist students in community-based settings.
Assist students in one-to-one and group settings, including with library materials, story time, recitation, reading, and other curriculum tasks.
Monitor students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, bus loading, computer use, and use of swimming pools, weight rooms, or therapy pools.
Attend required pre-job training, ongoing training, and meetings; obtain and maintain certifications needed to support students.
Serve as a resource to the student personnel evaluation team regarding assigned students as needed, and work with teachers to integrate assistive technology into classrooms.
Maintain and update student files; collect assessment and monitoring data; maintain, order, and organize program materials and equipment; and complete daily paperwork and clerical tasks.
Report consistently as scheduled, perform other assigned duties, and attain proficient or higher evaluations on established performance standards.