Special Education Paraprofessional

Position Summary

The special education paraprofessional provides instructional, developmental, behavioral, and personal support to young children with disabilities. The special education paraprofessional works under the direction of special education, general education, and campus administration to support students’ individual needs, promote independence, and help students access and participate in developmentally appropriate learning activities. The special education paraprofessional supports students' individual needs and assists with personal care routines, including toileting, diapering, feeding, hygiene, and other daily living needs. The goal is to promote each student's growth, independence, confidence, and successful participation in the school environment.

The special education paraprofessional should demonstrate patience, compassion, flexibility, reliability, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with young children with a variety of developmental and educational needs.

Position Requirements

Education/Certification/License: High school diploma or GED

Experience: experience working with young children; preferred experience working with young children with special needs.

Special Knowledge/Skills: knowledge of age-appropriate practices for young children, ability to follow and implement directions, instructional plans, and student IEP supports, ability to use positive behavior supports to maintain a calm, safe, and nurturing classroom environment, ability to maintain confidentiality regarding student information and records.

Physical Demands: ability to lift, position, transfer, and assist students as required by their individual needs and plans; ability to assist young children with personal care and daily living needs, including toileting, diapering, feeding, hygiene, dressing, and mobility while promoting safety and independence.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assist the Special Education teacher in providing individualized instruction and support aligned with student IEP goals and needs.
• Support students in developing functional, social, communication, self-help, and independence skills.
• Provide individualized assistance with classroom activities, learning centers, small groups, transitions, and daily routines.
• Assist students with personal care needs, including toileting, diapering, feeding, hygiene, dressing, and mobility.
• Support students during arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, transportation, assemblies, field trips, and other school activities as assigned.
• Assist with positioning, lifting, transferring, or other physical support as required by individual student needs and safety procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student information and records.
• Follow all district, campus, special education, safety, and emergency procedures.

Application Procedures

• Applicants for all positions are considered without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected status. Additionally, the district does not discriminate against an applicant who acts to oppose such discrimination or participates in the investigation of a complaint related to a discriminatory employment practice.

In accordance with Title IX, the district does not discriminate on the basis of sex and is required not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs or activities. The requirement not to discriminate extends to employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be referred to the district’s Title IX coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education, or both.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX to employment should be referred to Title IX Coordinator, (name, title, office address, email address, and telephone number).