Special Education Paraprofessional

HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Job Description for

Special Education Paraprofessional

DEPARTMENT: Student Support Services JOB STATUS: Full Time

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: N/A REPORTS TO: Principal and Special Education Designee - Building

GRADE/LEVEL: K-12 AMOUNT OF TRAVEL REQUIRED: See Essential Duties

WORK SCHEDULE: Per contracted days

POSITION SUMMARY

A Special Education Paraprofessional may work in a variety of positions in a school district. The primary rolls are to assist, support, and work closely with teachers, administrators, and other team members in providing educational benefit for students. Duties will vary according to the needs of the student from physical assistance and care to behavioral management and academic assistance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• 
  To work in conjunction with certified teachers

• To reinforce curriculum, activities, and skills with small groups of students or one-on-one tutoring, demonstrating/modeling, explaining assignments, creating opportunities for cognitive and motor development, utilizing adaptive learning and communication equipment, and/or adapting assignments to student capabilities, as outlined by the supervising teacher

• To supervise student behavior and safety in the classroom, in the lunchroom, on the playground, on field trips, in crosswalks, getting on and off the bus, and/or between classes. Implement appropriate discipline and emergency procedures

• To assist with student health and hygiene needs as required, including administering basic first aid, diapering, toileting, dressing, and/or feeding

• To assist teacher with clerical and/or organizational duties, including grading assignments, making copies, laminating, completing paperwork, word processing, assembling bulletin boards and teaching tools, organizing classroom supplies and activity centers, and/or cleaning play areas

• To be, if needed, reassigned within district at anytime according to student need

• To maintain confidentiality concerning student records

• To attend staff, team, and/or IEP meetings as needed

• To uphold and enforce school rules, local board policy and state law

• To be, if needed, required to complete additional training
• To perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by employee’s supervisor, the principal, or the superintendent

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statements

*Knowledge of the schools and HSSD policies and procedures

• Evidence of strong commitment to quality education
• Evidence of strong organizational skills
• Evidence of strong oral and written communication skills

Education

Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent with an accredited educational institution. Title 1, Part A program employees must have a minimum of two years with an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education or completed competency on a formal state assessment. Other requirements per job description.

Experience

1 year of successful experience working with children. Other requirements per job description.

Certificates & Licenses

Valid Arkansas Paraprofessional certificate or license to meet ADE certification accreditation standards for the position’s essential duties and responsibilities.

Computer Skills

Ability to apply basic computer programs (spreadsheet, Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint, others) to enhance job performance. (Others could include HAC/TAC, e-School)

Other Requirements

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the school community.

Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication.

Ability to perform duties with awareness of all federal, state, and district requirements.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional documents. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to perform basic math operations to meet job expectations.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with situations appropriately to meet job expectations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Abilities Lift/Carry

Stand F 10 lbs or less F

Walk F 11 – 20 lbs F

Sit F 21 – 50 lbs O

Handling / Fingering F 51 – 100 lbs O

Reach Outward F Over 100 lbs O

Reach Above Shoulder O

Climb O

Crawl O

Squat or Kneel O

Bend O

Push / Pull

12 lbs or less O

13-25lbs O

26-40 lbs O

41-100lbs O

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this occupation.

O (Occasionally) Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.S hrs/day)

F (Frequently) Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5 hrs/day)

C (Constantly) Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5 hrs/day)

Other Physical Requirements

Vision (Near, Distance, Color, Peripheral, Depth perception)

Sense of Sound (ability to converse with others, conduct telephone conversations)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform with the essential functions.

The HSSD HR Office has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the HSSD reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the HSSD may deem appropriate.

The Hot Springs School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

It is the policy of the Hot Springs School District not to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment practices.