POSITION: Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional

LOCATION: Kenowa Hill ECC

PROGRAM: ECSE

SCHEDULE: 6.75/33.75

RATE OF PAY: Per Board Authorization

POSITION SUMMARY

Kenowa Hills Public Schools is seeking compassionate, dependable, and student-centered individuals to serve as Special Education Paraprofessionals. These positions support students with disabilities in academic, behavioral, social-emotional, communication, functional, and adaptive skill development throughout the school day.

Paraprofessionals work collaboratively with special education teachers, general education staff, therapists, administrators, and families to create safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where students can thrive. Successful candidates must be flexible, energetic, relationship-focused, and able to respond effectively to the changing needs of students throughout the school day.

QUALIFICATIONS & DUTIES

Applicants must meet Michigan paraprofessional qualification requirements through one of the following:

• Associate's Degree or higher; OR

• Minimum of sixty (60) earned college credit hours; OR

• Passing score on the ETS ParaPro Assessment.

Applicants who do not meet one of the above requirements are not eligible for employment in this position.

• CPI and Ukeru training required as a condition of employment (district training provided)

• Experience working with Pre-K–12 students preferred

• Experience working with students with disabilities, behavioral needs, communication needs, sensory needs, or diverse learning needs preferred

• Ability to use age-appropriate language, tone, and instructional practices when working with students

• Ability to establish and maintain routines while adapting to changing student needs

• Ability to function effectively and collaborate regularly as a member of an instructional team

• Reliable and consistent attendance is an essential function of this position

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• Ability to support classroom instruction, intervention activities, and student learning

• Ability to process paperwork, collect student data, and maintain accurate records

• Ability to communicate effectively and develop positive relationships with students, families, and staff

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

• Assist students academically in individual, small-group, and classroom settings

• Support behavior intervention plans, social-emotional learning goals, communication goals, and functional skill development

• Provide instructional support during core instruction, intervention periods, specials, lunch, recess, field trips, community-based instruction, assemblies, and school activities

• Assist students with transitions throughout the school day

• Collect student data and maintain accurate documentation related to IEP goals and objectives

• Support implementation of accommodations, modifications, and behavior support plans

• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, administrators, transportation staff, and families

• Support students exhibiting behavioral, emotional, communication, sensory, or self-regulation challenges

• Assist students with toileting, feeding, mobility, positioning, and other personal care needs as assigned

• Utilize CPI and Ukeru strategies as trained when responding to student dysregulation or behavioral concerns

• Participate in field trips, community outings, assemblies, school events, and extracurricular activities as assigned

• Maintain active supervision and safety awareness across classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, playgrounds, buses, and community settings

• Move quickly and respond immediately to student safety concerns, medical needs, emergencies, or behavioral incidents

• Perform additional duties as assigned

WORK LOCATION REQUIREMENT

This is an in-person position requiring regular on-site attendance. The essential functions of this position cannot be performed remotely.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires the ability to:

• Stand, walk, move quickly, bend, squat, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, sit on the floor, and transition frequently throughout the day

• Lift, transfer, reposition, push, pull, and assist students, equipment, and instructional materials weighing up to 50 pounds

• Walk extended distances throughout school buildings, playgrounds, buses, parking lots, and community locations

• Participate actively in classroom activities, playground supervision, recess activities, field trips, specials, community-based instruction, and school events

• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions throughout the school year

• Maintain active visual supervision of students in multiple educational settings

• Respond immediately to student safety concerns, emergencies, elopement attempts, medical situations, or behavioral incidents

• Support students who may engage in aggression, emotional dysregulation, self-injurious behavior, property destruction, unsafe behaviors, or attempts to leave assigned areas

• Safely implement CPI and Ukeru strategies as trained

• Assist students with physical needs, mobility needs, positioning needs, and activities of daily living

The work environment may include moderate to high noise levels, frequent movement, changing student needs, crisis situations, and unpredictable student behaviors requiring flexibility, patience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS

Pursuant to PA 131, the selected candidate must receive clearance from the Michigan State Police Department prior to employment through Livescan fingerprinting. The candidate is responsible for the fingerprinting background check fee.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

Kenowa Hills Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), age, disability, height, weight, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status in its educational programs, services, activities, or employment practices.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process are encouraged to contact Human Resources.