Paraprofessionals/Teacher Assistants SY 26-27

Opening - Paraprofessional/Teacher Assistant Reports To: Classroom Teacher/Building Principal Locations: Anticipated openings at Melville Elementary School (hours: 8:30 - 3:30) and Portsmouth Middle School (hours: 7:45 - 2:45) QUALIFICATIONS: NEW! PROOF OF REGISTRATION IN A RIDE APPROVED TA COURSE WILL QUALIFY YOU FOR IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT ON STEP WITH PAID LEAVE AND MEDICAL BENEFITS WHILE WORKING TO OBTAIN TEACHER ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION. YOU WILL FIND A LIST OF AVALABLE COURSES AT: https://ride.ri.gov/teachers-administrators/other-tools-information/paraprofessionals 1. Minimum, High School Diploma or GED 2. Must maintain strictest standard of confidentiality. 3. Valid Paraprofessional certificate with instructional qualifications as required by the RI Department of Education OR proof of registration in an approved RIDE Teacher Assistant Training Course 4. Ability to participate in Safety Care training and be part of a Safety Care team 5. Ability to work with all children in a sensitive and effective manner 6. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions 7. Ability to learn assigned duties readily and to adhere to prescribed classroom procedures 8. Ability to assist with lifting and/or assist with toileting 9. Ability to follow a toileting plan when one of the primary student support personnel for a student who requires lifting or toileting is absent 10. Additional training may be required if deemed necessary for the position POSITION SUMMARY: The position of paraprofessional assists teachers with instructional duties and helps to provide a safe learning environment for all students. Paraprofessionals work in a classroom setting with a small group of students or individual students. This position requires a desire and ability to work with students across various domains which include assisting students to learn and apply academic skills, self-help skills, communication skills, mobility skills, socialization skills, self-regulatory skills, and positive behavioral interaction skills. This position may require the individual to work closely and collegially with a team of professionals and support professionals in a flexible and cooperative manner, putting the needs of the students first. This work involves the development of effective relationships with both the students and other adults working within the classroom. This may require an unusual amount of patience, consistency, flexibility, tolerance and empathy on the part of the employee. This work may require the performance of various instructional and therapeutic duties that may be unique to the student and/or the classroom. These duties, although specialized, can be learned on the job whereby job embedded professional development may be provided via an outside consultant as determined by the administration. PLEASE NOTE: The positions available involve working with students who have social emotional learning needs. ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Adheres to the policies of the Portsmouth School Department 2. Promotes the attainment of the District's mission, vision, and strategic plan 3. Assists in small group and individual instructional activities in the classroom 4. Follows teacher direction with regard to assisting/supporting other students within the classroom/building 5. Assists with various data collection procedures 6. Provides transitional support to students 7. Demonstrates knowledge of specific disabilities that are part of the IDEA 8. Assists in incorporating differential reinforcement in appropriate alternative responses into behavior program/plan. 9. Utilizes prompts and redirection strategies (i.e.: following routines, utilization of picture schedules and maintaining overall consistency in regard to responses/reactions to students). 10 Attends to personal needs of children (dressing, washing, feeding, changing diapers) 11. Demonstrates proficiency in essential computer and technology applications as required 12. Prioritizes the needs and requests of students and teachers within the school setting and responds in a professional and efficient manner. 13. Supports student social emotional learning, able to implement behavior intervention plans developed by the team, and track data necessary for the implementation 14. Performs responsibilities unique to teacher assistants who work with students who have developmental, cognitive, learning, physical and/or social-emotional disabilities. 15. Assists with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, field trips, and other activities, as needed. 16. Exhibits interpersonal skills of a collegial partner with other professionals in order to help create and maintain a positive learning environment. 17. Assist with lifting and toiliting of students. 18. Other duties as assigned Physical Requirements: 1. Communicate and detect information at levels to be able to make presentations and exchange information in person and on the telephone 2. Express oneself so others will be able to clearly understand 3. Constantly operate a computer keyboard and manipulate paper 4. Detect, determine, perceive and identify documentation and reports, and to observe students 5. Able to meet multiple demands from several people and meet deadlines with severe time constraints 6. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, in both indoor and outdoor environments, and possible move and traverse in order to maintain a safe learning environment 7. Stamina to work irregular or extended hours to include a full day and then attending meetings or supervising evening events 8. Work at a desk, conference table, small student classroom table, or in meetings in various configurations 9. Position self to be able to retrieve items overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally 10.Move and transport moderately heavy objects Additional Requirements: High School Diploma or general equivalency diploma PROOF OF REGISTRATION IN A RIDE APPROVED TA COURSE WILL QUALIFY YOU FOR IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT ON STEP WITH PAID LEAVE AND MEDICAL BENEFITS WHILE WORKING ON THE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW. Completion of a Teacher Assistant Pre-Employment Training Program approved by the RI Department of Education (RIDE). Exceptions to this particular qualification are those with a TA certification from another state or those with Associates Degree or Bachelor's Degree AND who have completed coursework or other training consistent with the teacher assistant program standards. Candidates will be expected to attend Safety Care training. Meet one of the following requirements: Successfully pass the ParaPro Assessment OR Complete at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education OR Obtain an Associate’s Degree or higher National Criminal Records Check showing no disqualifying information THIS POSITION MUST BE REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN (RBT) CERTIFIED WITHIN 1 YEAR OF EMPLOYMENT ` PSD WILL REIMBURSE EMPLOYEES FOR RBT COURSE (waived for the 2026/2027 school year)