Location:
Early Childhood Center
(High-Needs School)

Paraeducator, Special Education (1:1) (ECC)
Supervisor: Building Administrator
Contract Length: up to 190 days, or as assigned
Job Classification: Paraeducator
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
In the Fort Dodge Community School District, we are professional, high-performing team players focused on delivering the best possible learning experience for each one of our 3600 students. We respect diversity, value integrity, reward competitively, celebrate success and support employee growth and development. We aim to attract, develop and retain the best people as part of our Dodger family.
Compensation

Position Purpose
Assist special education student with health needs. Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties such as proctoring study halls to enable them to make a contribution to other aspects of the educational program, such as curriculum development.Essential Job Functions

• Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
• Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
• Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
• Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
• Constructs, copies and distribute and use educational materials as needed.
• Assists teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.
• Participates in IEP process and serves as resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
• Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.

Qualifications Profile

• AA degree or 60 college credits or Para Certification Level I and Level II Early Childhood preferred.
• Successful completion of college level coursework or passing of examination as required by the No Child Left Behind Act preferred.
• Prior experience working with special needs children preferred.

Additional Duties:

• Assist guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.
Equipment
Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.
Travel Requirements
Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, may be required for certain positions.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Works in standard office and school building environments.
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.

WORKING CONDITIONS:It is the policy of Fort Dodge Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. If you have questions or grievances related to this policy, please contact Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Director of Elementary Education, 515-576-1161, sanderson@fdschools.org, and Dr. Kirsten Doebel, Director of Secondary Education, 515-576-1161, kdoebel@fdschools.org, both are located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501, or contact the Office for Civil Rights Midwestern Division for U. S. Department of Education Office, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 (Alternate for Section 504 is Branwyn Greathouse, Director of Special Education/Special Needs, 515-574-5675, bgreathouse@fdschools.org, Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501). Affirmative Action Compliance Coordinator The District’s Compliance Coordinator for Affirmative Action is Kimberly Whitmore, Director of Human Resources, 515-576-1161, kwhitmore@fdschools.org, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Physical/Sexual Abuse Reporting The District’s Designated Investigators of Physical/Sexual Abuse of Students by School Employees are Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Director of Elementary Education, 515-576-1161, sanderson@fdschools.org, and Dr. Kirsten Doebel, Director of Secondary Education, 515-576-1161, kdoebel@fdschools.org, both are located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. The alternate is Branwyn Greathouse, Director of Special Education/Special Needs, 515-574-5675, bgreathouse@fdschools.org, Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Harassment Complaints and Allegations The District’s Officers for Harassment Complaints and Allegations are Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Director of Elementary Education, 515-576-1161, sanderson@fdschools.org, and Dr. Kirsten Doebel, Director of Secondary Education, 515-576-1161, kdoebel@fdschools.org, both are located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 Sex Discrimination and Harassment (Title IX) The District’s Coordinator for Sex Discrimination and Harassment is Kimberly Whitmore, Director of Human Resources, 515-574-5657, or kwhitmore@fdschools.org. The Deputy Coordinator is Adriana Utley, Human Resources Generalist/Board Secretary, 515-574-5652, or adutley@fdschools.org. Both are located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Rev. 7/2022
Fort Dodge Community School District is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer.