What are the responsibilities and job description for the Long Term Substitute Paraeducator - RTF position at Bucks County Intermediate Unit?
Job Description
Summary/Objective: A Substitute Paraeducator Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) is responsible for assisting the teacher/therapist in providing instruction and support to assigned students in an educational setting within a residential treatment facility, which is designed to promote intellectual, behavioral, emotional, and social growth. Substitute Paraeducators can be assigned to individual students or to multiple students. All functions are performed under the direction of the teacher/therapist.
The position requires the employee to support students with a variety of needs, which may include individuals who exhibit aggressive, self-injurious behavior and/or those with a significant trauma history or mental health needs. The Paraeducator will be trained to meet the individual needs of the students that they are assigned to with the classroom or setting.
Essential Functions
Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not have any supervisor responsibilities.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here 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 the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 185-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours of work are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Hours are dependent on the needs of the districts. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel: Travel or transport may be expected for this position.
Education And Experience
EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.
Primary Location
US-PA-DOYLESTOWN
Work Locations
Foundations Behavioral Health
Job
Classroom Support-Teacher Assistant/Paraeducator-Middle Bucks
Organization
Bucks IU Business Unit
Schedule
Full-time
Employee Status
Regular
Job Posting
Nov 21, 2025, 10:56:28 AM
Summary/Objective: A Substitute Paraeducator Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) is responsible for assisting the teacher/therapist in providing instruction and support to assigned students in an educational setting within a residential treatment facility, which is designed to promote intellectual, behavioral, emotional, and social growth. Substitute Paraeducators can be assigned to individual students or to multiple students. All functions are performed under the direction of the teacher/therapist.
The position requires the employee to support students with a variety of needs, which may include individuals who exhibit aggressive, self-injurious behavior and/or those with a significant trauma history or mental health needs. The Paraeducator will be trained to meet the individual needs of the students that they are assigned to with the classroom or setting.
Essential Functions
- Provide one-on-one tutoring (if such tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher).
- Assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional and/or other materials.
- Act as a liaison in communicating with teacher and other IU and site-based staff regarding ongoing needs of students.
- Support the involvement of site-based staff in activities.
- Provide support across all educational settings; escort and supervise students to various locations across all educational settings.
- Assist the student to use equipment.
- Assist the student to use and maintain augmentative communication devices.
- Assist a student to ambulate, position, and transfer.
- Support students in range of motion and other exercises.
- Monitor the incidence and prevalence of designated health problems or medical conditions (e.g., seizure precautions or extreme lethargy).
- Observe/monitor and redirect/intervention to assist with completion of ADL’s.
- Cue the student to pay attention, participate in activities and complete tasks.
- Participate in the implementation of each student's IEP (Individualized Educational Plan)
- Assist with data collection of student performance.
- Follow any individualized support plans that may be a part of a student’s educational program (e.g., behavior, communication, health). Track information about each student including needs, strengths, gains and problem areas.
- Assist with setting up educational environment and preparing materials for instruction.
Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not have any supervisor responsibilities.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here 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 the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 185-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours of work are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Hours are dependent on the needs of the districts. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel: Travel or transport may be expected for this position.
Education And Experience
- Level of Degree:
- Associate or Bachelor Degree
- At least 48 college/university credits
- A high school diploma or equivalency and successfully pass a local assessment. (Bucks IU considers that a Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators from the Pennsylvania Department of Education meets this requirement for those individuals who do not have at least 48 college/university credits or an Associate or Bachelor Degree).
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Experience working with students with disabilities is preferred.
- Processing software, email, sending attachments and tracking billing.
- CPR & First Aid Certification Required
- Crisis Prevention Institute Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training Required
EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.
Primary Location
US-PA-DOYLESTOWN
Work Locations
Foundations Behavioral Health
Job
Classroom Support-Teacher Assistant/Paraeducator-Middle Bucks
Organization
Bucks IU Business Unit
Schedule
Full-time
Employee Status
Regular
Job Posting
Nov 21, 2025, 10:56:28 AM