SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the site administrator and day-to-day work coordination and scheduling of a special education or general education teacher, the Paraprofessional Moderate/Severe assists identified students or adults who have moderate to severe physical disabilities, and/or emotional disabilities. Positions may be located at District school sites or community or vocational education training sites in the community.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Note: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The examples of work performed are neither restricted to nor all encompassing of the duties to be performed under this job title.)
● Assists with the instruction of identified students individually and in small groups as assigned by the teacher; ensures daily work is ready for students in each class.
● Facilitates communication and positive, appropriate interactions when special education students are attending general education classrooms.
● Assists with the assessment of student progress and behavior under teacher direction.
● Monitors, supports and assists with positive behavior support plans as directed by certificated staff.
● Monitors and assists with student activities on the playground, in the cafeteria and in the bus area.
● After training by the appropriate professional, may also be assigned to assist with physical care responsibilities such as eating, administering oxygen or medications, CPR, tube feeding, toileting, diapering, catheterization, lifting students who are non-ambulatory, positioning students with physical disabilities in equipment, and assisting in gross, fine and oral motor skills training as necessary.
● Catches up with running students and redirects them to safe activities; redirects evades students having physically violent outbursts.
● Follows district guidelines to protect student health, safety, and well-being.
● May transport students and make home and community visits with students, sometimes independently.
● Assist students to learn household living skills and group/social skills.
● Assists and supervises students working at job sites in transition programs.
● Operates and instructs others in the use of appliances and equipment used in vocational education programs.
● Record and enter data on student behaviors (such as TIERS Program Binder) and assist students to record their own behavior choices such as sleep times and food intake.
● Performs routine clerical and record-keeping tasks such as taking roll, collecting monies, completing forms, correcting papers, recording grades, duplicating and distributing instructional materials, etc.
● Operates equipment such as computers, copiers, laminators, audio-visual aids, etc.
● Participates in conferences and planning sessions with the teacher; attends required inservice training.
● Prepares meals, sets up the dining area, serves meals and cleans dishes as necessary.
● Other related duties as assigned.
● (Additional examples of work apply for bilingual paraprofessionals.)
QUALIFICATIONS /REQUIREMENTS: (At time of application.)
KNOWLEDGE OF:
● Mathematics, reading, and writing sufficient to pass a proficiency test equivalent to that of high school graduates.
● Basic child development characteristics.
● Appropriate behaviors in interacting with students, including patience.
● Basic needs and behaviors of persons with disabilities.
● Basic safety procedures such as correct two-person lift, and ProACT.
ABILITY TO:
● Assist in the instruction of math, reading and writing.
● Work with students with disabilities.
● Maintain confidence and trust of students.
● Learn and implement teacher-directed educational techniques, including Picture Exchange Communication System and other visual support strategies.
● Learn and implement teacher-directed positive behavior support plans that increase student independence, motivation and self-esteem.
● Learn and appropriately apply the techniques of safety such as ProAct and ProAct restraint.
● Assess and explain student needs and progress.
● Assess when students can be motivated to complete tasks they don’t want to.
● Work independently with students when a teacher is not immediately available.
● Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
● Adapt flexibly with students’ schedules.
● Identify and avoid triggers that may cause students to act out.
● Establish and maintain harmonious relations with co-workers and students with and without special needs.
● Learn to operate computers, special needs, audio-visual, and other school equipment.
● Maintain confidentiality about student records and personal information.
● Work, communicate effectively and to interact positively with students, teachers, staff and parents.
● Learn and perform required physical care procedures.
● Lift, stoop, climb, push, pull, stand for long periods of time and perform physical labor; physical mobility and stamina to participate in activities which may be strenuous.
● Maintain First Aid and CPR certifications while employed in this job classification.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: ● High school diploma or equivalent; a passing score on an exam that tests for the knowledge of, and the ability to assist in, the teaching of, math, reading and writing. DESIRED EXPERIENCE: Some experience working with students, preferably those with disabilities; an A.A. degree or two years of college, or any combination of training and experience that would indicate possession of the above skills and abilities.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: ● Possession at time of hire, or within six (6) months of hire, a valid CPR certification and a First Aid certification. Periodic renewal required as a condition of continuing employment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation.)
● Speak, read and understand sufficiently to successfully receive/provide information to/from students, supervisors, co-workers, the public, etc.
● Operate basic equipment such as the telephone, copier, computer, calculator, etc., except where incidental to the position.
● Sufficient skills to be licensed by the State of California to operate a motor vehicle.
● Sufficient strength and agility to perform physical tasks required by the position such as lifting immobile students and assisting with their physical needs.
● Capable of standing for long periods of time, lifting 40 pounds, stooping, reaching overhead, and bending at the waist.
● Perform with or without reasonable accommodation all essential duties and responsibilities listed above
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.44 - $34.56 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person