Substitute Special Education Teacher / Paraprofessional (ESN)

Building Connections Behavioral Health•Martinez, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Building Connections Academy (BCA) is a nonpublic school serving students with mild to moderate and extensive support needs (ESN). We aim to create an inclusive, engaging learning environment where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow. Our team is dedicated to empowering students to discover their strengths, build relationships, and develop confidence. This is a dual-role position where the employee will serve as either a Substitute Special Education Teacher or a Paraprofessional, depending on the school's staffing needs. When covering for a teacher, the employee will be paid the substitute teacher rate. When not covering a teacher, the employee will work as a Paraprofessional and be paid the paraprofessional rate. In both roles, the employee will collaborate with various school staff to maintain a safe, structured, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.

Requirements

Clear DOJ/FBI background check.
Valid California substitute teaching permit, teaching credential, or other California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) authorization permitting day-to-day substitute teaching.
Ability to serve as a Substitute Special Education Teacher within the scope and limitations of the credential or permit held.
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification or willingness to become certified within 90 days of employment; paid training is provided.
Experience or demonstrated interest in working with children and students with disabilities.
Ability to follow established IEPs, instructional plans, accommodations, modifications, behavior support plans, and classroom procedures.
Patience, flexibility, dependability, and a compassionate approach when working with students with disabilities.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
Ability to work effectively with students who may require significant academic, behavioral, communication, functional, or self-care support.
Required immunizations including MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), Varicella (Chicken Pox), Hep B, and TB clearance (within 4 years).

Nice To Haves

Valid California Education Specialist Instruction Credential in Extensive Support Needs (ESN), Mild to Moderate Support Needs, or equivalent special education authorization.
Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Child Development, or a related field.
Previous teaching, substitute teaching, paraprofessional, or behavioral support experience in a special education setting.
Background or experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and/or collaboration with BCBAs and Behavior Interventionists.
Experience teaching or supporting K–8 students with autism or other developmental disabilities.
Familiarity with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), accommodations, modifications, and special education classroom practices.
Familiarity with adaptive curriculum, instructional technology, and classroom differentiation.

Responsibilities

Provide classroom instruction and supervision during teacher absences.
Follow established lesson plans, classroom schedules, routines, and instructional expectations.
Implement students’ IEP goals, accommodations, modifications, and supports as directed.
Provide specialized instruction across academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and functional domains.
Implement established evidence-based instructional strategies and adapt classroom activities to meet diverse learning needs.
Follow established Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), behavior support strategies, safety plans, and crisis-response procedures.
Collect and document student data, classroom observations, behaviors, and other relevant information as directed.
Provide guidance and direction to paraprofessionals and behavior support staff to maintain established classroom routines and student programming.
Support students with communication, self-care, functional, and daily living skills as required by their individual programs.
Maintain a positive and inclusive classroom environment that encourages participation, engagement, independence, and learning.
Communicate relevant classroom information, student concerns, incidents, or significant events to school administration and the assigned teacher.
Maintain student confidentiality and comply with school policies and special education requirements.
Provide individualized behavioral and educational support to students in the school setting.
Work under the direction of classroom teachers, BCBAs, and other designated school staff.
Implement individualized student programs and collect data to track progress.
Support students in developing communication, social, academic, play, self-help, and daily living skills.
Implement behavior support strategies and student Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) as directed.
Provide prompting, reinforcement, redirection, and other appropriate supports based on individual student needs.
Encourage student independence, participation, and positive relationships.
Assist students with personal care and self-care needs as required by their individual programs.
Support classroom routines, transitions, activities, and instructional programming.
Maintain a safe, structured, and engaging learning environment.
Collaborate with teachers, BCBAs, Behavior Interventionists, and other school staff to support student progress.
Collect accurate and objective data and communicate relevant observations or concerns to the appropriate team member.