Paraeducator - Alternative Program

Alternative - $3.50 per hour stipend


Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Sixty (60)  semester credit hours from a college or university accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary or Secondary Education or have passed the ParaPro Assessment test
• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in a related area, or course work from an accredited college or university preferred
• Ability to read, write and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos
• Ability to use email or willingness to learn skill with training
• Ability to maintain composure under stressful conditions
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies
• Experience in working with children or young people with behavioral needs preferred
• Ability to deal patiently and empathetically with young children
• Must be physically able to reach with hands and arms; stand, walk, sit and talk or hear; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; bend at the neck more than the average person; have close vision and peripheral vision; and be able to hear in a noisy environment

• Ability to assist with lifting, carrying and/or holding children up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to deal with daily stressors such as inappropriate verbal and physical behaviors
• Must be reliable and have good attendance

 
Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Non-Exempt
 
Reports to:
Appropriate Special Education Staff or Regular Education Staff
Principal
 
Job Goal:
To work under the direction of a Special Education teacher or Regular Education teacher to help students meet behavioral and/or learning goals outlined in the District’s curriculum, the school’s plan, and/ or specialized plans, and/ or individualized plans.
 
Performance Responsibilities:

• To work cooperatively and collaboratively with teachers, administrators, parents, other staff members, and community agencies in the implementation of behavioral and instructional plans for students
• To work with individual students or small groups of students to encourage and reinforce appropriate problem solving skills
• To collect student performance data on group and/ or  individualized goals
• To adapt learning materials, as suggested by teachers, in order to meet student needs
• To provide escort and assistance to students in the following areas:  the regular education classroom, specials classes, restroom, lunch, recess, field trips
• Serve as chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned to the classroom
• Assist with supervision of students during free time, on in the event of a field trip, assembly or emergency drill
• Alert classroom teacher to any problems or special information concerning any individual student
• To maintain confidentiality of students’ records and other information regarding student’s disability, academics and/ or behavior
• To participate in requested training responsibilities
• To provide toileting assistance to students as necessary
• To appropriately restrain students using district approved restraint procedures if required by supervisors
• To perform other job-related duties as may be assigned by the principal

 
Terms of Employment:
The duration of the position is contingent upon the continued funding of the program, project, or assignment for which the appointment is made. The salary and work calendar are to be established by the Board of Education.
 
Required Testing:
Post offer employment medical physical exam and essential functions test (EFT) required.
 
Work Environment/conditions:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works indoors with minimal temperature variations and under conditions with risk of injury and/or illness.  The employee may also occasionally work with cleaning chemicals.  The noise level of the work environment is usually moderate, but occasionally can be loud.  Generally the job requires 5 % sitting, 50% standing, and 45% walking.
 
Physical Demands:

• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and talk and hear.

• The employee is frequently required to bend at the neck.
• The employee is frequently required to climb or balance, reach, bend, crouch or crawl, squat, stoop, and kneel.
• The employee must frequently lift, carry and/or hold, push, or move up to 50 pounds.

 
Evaluation:
Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with Board of Education policy by the immediate supervisor, utilizing the Independence School District School Support Staff Performance Based Evaluation.