Paraprofessional

Position: Paraprofessional

Term: 9 months

Classification: Classified/Non-Exempt

Location: Franklin Technology Center

Qualifications:

• Obtain 60 college credit hours, or
• Have passed the ParaPro Assessment (before September 23, 2013) or
• Have passed the Paraprofessional Assessment through Pearson (September 23, 2013 through June 20, 2024) or
• Have passed the ParaPro Assessment through ETS (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026) or
• Have passed the ParaPathways Assessment through ETS (July 1, 2026 forward)
• Completed the 20HR Substitute Certificate Course

Click Here for DESE Information

Supervisory: No

Reports to: Building Principal

Code: 001-1221-6152-1050-44100-4-000

Job Number: 0011

The Career & Technical Education (CTE) Paraprofessional provides instructional, laboratory, and administrative support to CTE instructors in classroom and hands-on learning environments. The paraprofessional assists students individually and in small groups, helps maintain safe and organized lab spaces, supports work-based learning activities, and contributes to student success by reinforcing technical and employability skills under the supervision of a certified CTE instructor.

General Expectations

• Supports the mission of Joplin Schools.
• Supports the value of education.
• Become familiar with, enforce, and follow all applicable Board policies and regulations, administrative procedures, other directions given by district administrators and supervisors, and state and federal laws.
• Properly supervise students at all times, if applicable to essential job functions.
• Obey all safety rules, including rules protecting the safety and welfare of students.
• Care for, properly use, and protect school property.
• Maintain courteous and professional relationships with students, parents/guardians, other district employees and the public.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, department staff, all members of the school district, and community as required.
• Provides excellence in customer service both internally and externally.
• Complies with privacy rights and safeguards confidential and/or sensitive information pertaining to staff and students.
• Reacts to change productively and receive and transmit constructive criticism as it relates to job duties.
• Actively participate in professional development and obtain skills and information necessary to effectively perform job duties.
• Conduct all official business in a professional and timely manner, utilizing district technology resources.
• Arrive to work and leave work at the time specified by supervisors and attend all required meetings pertinent to the position.
• Maintains accurate records and filing systems for accountability and audit purposes as required by law and Board policy.
• Solve practical problems utilizing math functions as needed to complete job duties.
• Read and interpret documents such as work orders, safety rules, and handbooks and apply to job duties.

Essential Functions:

• Assist the CTE instructor with classroom and laboratory instruction.
• Reinforce lessons and technical skills with individual students or small groups.
• Support students during demonstrations, projects, and hands-on lab activities.
• Provide additional assistance to students requiring academic or technical support.
• Encourage appropriate workplace behaviors, professionalism, and employability skills.
• Monitor student progress and communicate concerns to the instructor.

Laboratory and Safety

• Prepare instructional materials, tools, equipment, and supplies.
• Assist with maintaining an organized, clean, and safe classroom/laboratory environment.
• Monitor proper use of equipment and ensure students follow established safety procedures.
• Perform routine inventory of tools, materials, and consumable supplies.
• Assist with equipment maintenance and report repair needs.

Student Support

• Supervise students during classroom activities, labs, field experiences, and work-based learning.
• Assist with accommodations for students with diverse learning needs as directed.
• Help students develop workplace readiness, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
• Foster positive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Professional Responsibilities

• Attend required staff meetings and professional development.
• Maintain knowledge of district procedures and CTE program requirements.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, counselors, and industry partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CTE Director or supervising instructor.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally lift 50 pounds
• Frequently walk up and down stairs while assisting students
• Frequently walk on a variety of ground surfaces, including, but not limited to, paved, gravel, grass, or dirt
• Frequently bend and twist the torso and neck
• Frequently squat or kneel to the ground
• Frequently use repetitive arm, wrist and hand movements
• Use close, distance and peripheral vision as well as depth perception

Attendance

Regular and consistent attendance is an essential function of this position.

The work conditions and environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Conditions and Environment

The conditions and environment reflect that of a typical classroom setting.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.