Basic Life Skills Paraprofessional

Basic Life Skills Paraprofessional
Position Purpose
-  Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with basic life skills students to provide positive learning experiences in a safe learning enviroment for our students. Expectations of working as a cohesive team to support colleagues and students in a wide variety of tasks throughtout the school day to ensure opportunities for success. 
Essential Job Functions
-  Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
-  Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
-  Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
-  Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
-  Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
-  Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
-  Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
-  Constructs, copies and distribute and use educational materials as needed.
-  Assists teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
-  Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.
-  Participates in IEP process and serves as resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
-  Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs
Additional Duties:
-  Assist guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed.
-  Perform any other related duties as assigned.
Note:   The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities.  It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility
Equipment
-  Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.
Travel Requirements
-  Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, may be required for certain positions.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
-  Knowledge/experience/desire working with low functioning special education students
-  Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
-  Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
-  Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
-  Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
-  Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
-  Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
-  Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
-  Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
-  Effective writing and verbal communication skills.
-  Team player
-  Enjoys working with and helping students
-  Patience and empathy
Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
-  Works in standard office and school building environments.
-  Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.
Note:   Also see the Summary of Physical, Sensory and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Functions for this position.
Qualifications Profile
-  Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying.  Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:
-  High School diploma or equivalent.
-  Successful completion of college level coursework (48 credits) or passing of the ParaPro Exam
-  Prior experience working with special needs children desirable.


FLSA Status:             Non-exempt


Date: