Paraeducator IV: Transition Community Support

Position Profile

Position: Para IV: Transition Community Support

Department: Central Administration

Reports To: Nancy Jo Maresh Melo

FTE: 1.0

Days/Year: 202

Salary Schedule: 2026-2027 Educational Support Professionals (Group B)

Paygrade: A19

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Transition Coordinator/Teacher, provides specialized support services to students ages 18–21 with disabilities in community-based and transition programming. Supports implementation of instruction, career development, independent living skills, and post-secondary transition services aligned with Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. Develops and maintains community partnerships, assists with student job coaching and transportation training, monitors student progress, and collaborates with families, agencies, and community organizations to support successful student outcomes.

Essential Job Functions

• Implements instructional activities, transition services, career development opportunities, and community-based learning experiences for students under the direction of the Transition Coordinator/Teacher.
• Provides job coaching and workplace support for students participating in community employment and vocational training opportunities.
• Assists students in developing independent living, employability, communication, and social skills necessary for post-secondary success.
• Develops and maintains positive partnerships with businesses, post-secondary institutions, adult service agencies, and community organizations.
• Serves as a liaison between school staff, families, employers, transportation providers, and outside agencies to support student transition goals.
• Assists with transition-related assessments, progress monitoring, and collection of student performance data.
• Supports the preparation and maintenance of student records and program documentation, including attendance records, transition assessment information, progress reports, and Summary of Performance documentation.
• Assists the Transition Coordinator/Teacher with implementation of portions of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and transition plans.
• Participates in IEP meetings and transition planning meetings as requested.
• Coordinates scheduling and logistics for student community-based instruction, employment experiences, and post-secondary activities.
• Trains and supports students in the use of public transportation and assists in identifying transportation resources.
• Communicates regularly with the Transition Coordinator/Teacher regarding student progress, concerns, behavioral needs, and program supports.
• Educates employers, community partners, and agency personnel regarding student disabilities, accommodations, and transition support needs.
• Assists in the design and implementation of special projects and transition initiatives within the 18–21 Transition Services Program.
• Maintains confidentiality of student records and information in accordance with district policies and state and federal regulations.
• Demonstrates appropriate safety practices and follows district procedures in school and community environments.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of transition services and community-based instruction for students with disabilities.
• Ability to implement instructional and behavioral support strategies under the direction of licensed staff.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with students, families, employers, agencies, and community partners.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Ability to work independently in community-based settings while maintaining communication with supervising staff.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism.

Required Qualifications

• *High school diploma or equivalent

• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel between district sites
• This position may require occasional operation of a non-CDL school or activity bus. Employees must pass a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examination and are subject to USDOT-approved substance abuse testing requirements.
• One (1) year experience working with children with disabilities or in a related setting
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) or similar de-escalation training (or ability to obtain)
• CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain)
• Ability to meet physical requirements of the position (e.g., assisting with student mobility, toileting, lifting, and transitions)

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher in education or related field
• Experience with IEP implementation, data collection, or behavior interventions (e.g., ABA, PBIS).
• Experience working with students with autism, behavior challenges, medically fragile conditions, hearing or vision loss, or intellectual disabilities
• Registered Behavior Technician Certification 
• Bilingual skills relevant to district population

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Work is performed in a variety of environments and includes a combination of light to occasionally heavy physical activity. The position requires frequent movement throughout the workday, including alternating between sitting, standing, and walking.

Physical requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis and up to 10 pounds frequently. Duties may involve stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, balancing, and reaching at both desk and floor level, as well as occasional overhead reaching. The role also requires dragging and lifting objects from floor to shoulder height up to 60 pounds on an occasional basis; pushing, pulling, and carrying up to 50 pounds; and lifting up to 20 pounds from shoulder to overhead.

The position requires frequent use of hands for grasping, holding, and turning objects, as well as fine motor skills to operate tools and computer equipment. Employees must be able to feel the shape, size, and temperature of objects.

The role requires constant seeing, hearing, and verbal communication, as well as the ability to detect odors. Employees must be capable of climbing stairs and performing physically demanding tasks as needed.

Employees in this category will also receive the following for the 2026-2027 school year:

1. Non-Recurring Pay: 7% of base salary in Non-Recurring Pay (distributed as 3.5% on November paycheck and 3.5 % on May paycheck). 
2. Staffing Stability Incentive (Adams Elementary, Galileo Middle School and Mitchell High School): ESP employees will receive the equivalent of one salary step divided over 12 pay periods. 

Base Salary Setting: Employment, assignment and salary placement, is in accordance with job description requirements. A work history is required to demonstrate job title, job duties and time worked in the position. Grade placement for ESP positions is determined by the Salary Schedule by Job Title resource. Reference the linked How Your Compensation Is Determined for more details. 

Salary Setting (New Hires): Any newly-employed Education Support Professional will be placed on the twenty-five (25) step system.  Each step represents two years of experience, based upon equivalent experience.  The maximum number of years of experience granted is 19-20 years, which is equivalent to placement on step ten (10). Steps are determined by experience listed on the application and resume.

Salary Setting (Rehires): Returning employees who have previously resigned or separated from the District will be rehired at the same step they were on at the time of resignation/separation plus any new experience gained in the same job,  provided step increases were approved by the Board during the years in question. 

Employees with experience in the District who have left the District and then returned to the same position shall be hired at the same pay grade (refers to the ESP placement on salary schedule by job title) and step at time of resignation.  Additional relevant experience gained after resignation may be evaluated from the employee’s  application and updated resume.  

See Employee Handbook (located on the D11 website) for information on salary setting for rehires (after retirement), promotions and lateral transfers. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Salary : $22 - $27