Paraprofessional, Full-Time (12-month)

JOB SUMMARY  

This position exists to perform specialized work in assisting with services for Pathways School of Excellence, providing for the care and well-being of students. Duties are performed under the general supervision of supervisors/teachers. Performance is evaluated through observation of work, and/or periodic conferences, critiques, records, and reports.
 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 

Reports to: Pathways Assistant Principal and Classroom Teacher

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A 

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Assist the classroom teacher with all duties pertinent to the instruction of students in the classroom. 
• Clerical duties as necessary for record-keeping and reporting.
• Assist students with bathroom needs.
• Use behavior strategies to teach hygiene and bathroom skills to adolescent students.
• Use de-escalation strategies to help students in crisis who display physical aggression on a regular basis.
• Provide one-on-one assistance for students with moderate to severe disabilities.
• Assist with elopement behaviors.
• Consult with tutors, volunteers, and therapists to provide training about students’ needs.
• Provide assistance with daily living skills, such as eating, changing clothes, movement during transition times, etc...
   

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

N/A

All remaining duties are considered "nonessential" within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position.  Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

LOCATION 

Lakeland Main Campus 

EDUCATION   

Required Education:

High School/GED 

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s in education, ESE, social work or other related field.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

N/A

EXPERIENCE 

Required:

Experience working with students with disabilities

Preferred:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

• Understand written and oral instructions 
• Speak and write coherently, to keep records and make simple reports 
• Professionalism with students, faculty, staff, and outside agencies/stakeholders 
• Work in small groups with students and support the classroom teacher in instruction. 
• Work with students, parents, faculty, staff, and the public
   

Preferred:

• High school diploma with some college experience 
• Professional development coursework pertinent to exceptional student education
• Physically able to sit, stand, and walk with students around campus. Ability to lift, carry, move, and/or position objects.
   

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, and harassment, including sexual harassment. 

• This position is considered Essential Personnel for the purposes of Emergency Response.

Physical Requirements: 

Mobility and Lifting

• Standing, Walking, Reaching, Grasping: These are frequent physical actions required to move around the classroom, assist students, and perform daily tasks. 
• Lifting and Carrying: Paraprofessionals must be able to lift and carry students or objects, with requirements varying by position but often reaching up to 50 pounds or more. 
• Pushing and Pulling: This is necessary for tasks like operating mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs, which can require pushing up to 90 pounds. 

Body Positioning and Dexterity

• Stooping, Kneeling, Crawling: These movements are often required to interact with students at their level, such as when helping with mobility or providing support from the floor. 
• Fine Finger Dexterity: This is important for detailed tasks like administering medication, handling educational tools, or assisting with feeding. 

Work Environment and Safety

• Loud and Potentially Hazardous Environments: Paraprofessionals may work in noisy classrooms and have a higher risk of exposure to infections, requiring vigilance in maintaining health and safety. 
• Assisting Students with Mobility Equipment: The role involves helping students use devices like walkers, tricycles, and standers. 

Potential for Physical Intervention: May require the ability to physically assist students, which can include restraining (which can encompass both vertical and horizontal immobilization) or providing support during transfers.

Travel:

No

Schedule:

Monday-Friday 8:00-3:30

TRAINING

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee can transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended in order to receive more training, or employment can be terminated. Required compliance training is as follows:

N/A

SAFETY 

• SEU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. 
• Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. 
• Work-related injuries must be immediately reported to Security and Human Resources. When life or limb are at risk, please dial 911. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the incident. 
• Emergency Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations.  Dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to this position unless instructed otherwise by your direct supervisor or a member of the Leadership Team.  

SCREENING

All full-time positions at SEU are deemed security-sensitive and require background checks. Employees required to drive their own personal vehicle, a rental car or an SEU vehicle in the performance of their duties must pass an MVR records check and meet the requirements of the University’s insurance carrier in order to meet the requirements of the position.

DISCLAIMER

SEU is an at-will employer.  This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

SEU is committed to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All forms of discrimination against or harassment of a person because of his or her identification within a protected category are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies equally to conduct by and against employees, vendors, visitors, and students.

Southeastern University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. The equal opportunity policy will apply in University programs and activities, and all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. All employees of Southeastern University, by continued employment, agree to abide by the policies contained in the Employee Handbook and in the SEU Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant.