Paraprofessional/ESS

Dakota Memorial School (DMS) is a non-public school on the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch campuses. DMS provides specialized education for children in residential care at the Ranch and Day Students who come to us from the surrounding communities. The education faculty at DMS believe our greatest contribution is to be sure there is a teacher in every classroom who cares that every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

We are seeking a Paraprofessional/ESS responsible for providing an educational atmosphere where students can fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and psychological growth. We are looking to hire one full-time, benefited position; with opportunity for 12-month year round employment.

Wage: 20.00

Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8am to 3:30 pm, with lunch provided daily. Availability to pick up additional shifts working with youth in a residential setting.

What you will do: Work one-on-one with the most vulnerable AND AMAZING kids in our state, advocate for students, and develop meaningful relationships with students and staff.

Purpose

We accept that each child is unique and requires classrooms designed to immediately respond to their changing emotional, behavioral, and safety needs.

• Assist in planning and preparing the learning environment, setting up interest centers, and preparing needed materials and supplies
• Assist in the implementation of the daily program under the direction of the teacher
• Supervise the classroom when the teacher is out of the room
• Provide assistance to the teacher 
• Maintaining professional attitudes
• Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures

Caring

We strive to provide a teacher in every classroom who cares that each student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being.

• Work with small groups or one-on-one with students needing additional modifications and learning strategies
• Facilitate the development of self-esteem, trust, and respect through positive and constructive student-teacher interactions in both group and individual setting
• Maintain confidentiality about children, families, and other employees outside the school

Learning

We know all our students are trauma survivors and therefore require additional professional skills to ensure learning takes place. Research-based professional learning is focused on student needs and district, campus, and individual staff member needs.

• Attend staff meetings and recommended training programs and conferences
• Participate in professional workshops that work for the improvement of education
• Maintain discipline in accordance with Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI), agency policies, and school policies
• Stay current on all required Ranch trainings

Qualifications

A successful candidate must:

• Must be 21 or older at the time of application  
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent   
• Must pass a background check, including criminal, abuse, and motor vehicle 
• Post-secondary studies in social science, psychology, behavioral health, or human service-related fields are preferred but not required  

Benefits: As we support treatments that care for others, we also work to care for our team member's professional, personal growth and well-being. We know that benefits are important. If you have questions ahead of time, please, ask, and one of our HR Ranchers would be happy to discuss.  

• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with 100% employer match up to 5% 
• Medical and Dental Insurance. Employees participate in the cost of premiums and have the option of purchasing additional coverage for dependents 
• Health Savings Account with a $125/month employer contribution if enrolled in the Ranch's Medical plan  
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance policies 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Paid Time Off (accrual based on hours worked) 
• 7 paid holidays each year 
• Dependent Care Flex Spending Account  
• Voluntary Vision Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Term Life Insurance 
• 20% discount on items at all Ranch Thrift Store locations 
• Training & advancement opportunities