26 - Paraprofessional - ESS PRE-K

Pueblo School District 60 employees support the community and connect with students by embracing the district’s core values:

• Success of every student is our most important commitment.
• Collaboration and engagement with community, parents, staff, and students are essential to our success.
• Act with integrity, celebrate diversity, and promote equity.
• Treat each individual with dignity and respect.
• Social and emotional well-being of students is as important as their academic needs.
• Provide a safe, positive, and supportive environment for students and staff.
• Community heritage, traditions, and history should inform our response to future student and district needs.

Each employee contributes to the district’s vision of being a high-performing school district that inspires community confidence and helps every student achieve their dreams.

About the Role

The Paraprofessional assists a certified teacher in providing instruction to individuals or small groups of students in Exceptional Student Services. This role supports students in meeting their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals, attends to physical and health needs, monitors and reports student progress, and performs attendant physical duties to enable students with disabilities to have equal education opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to students (Pre-K through Young Adult) in assigned classrooms or programs, including Autism Classrooms or other programs.
• Help students with disabilities meet the goals and objectives outlined in their IEP.
• Communicate with teachers to evaluate progress and implement IEP goals.
• Assist in implementing class-wide and individual behavior strategies to maintain a safe learning environment.
• Reinforce instruction under the teacher’s direction, assist individuals or small groups, and monitor student assignments to support learning concepts.
• Assist students with personal hygiene tasks, including washing, toileting, diapering, dressing, and grooming.
• Mobilize students, position and reposition students using medical equipment, wheelchairs, braces, and other orthopedic devices.
• Operate medical, orthopedic, therapeutic, instructional, audio-visual, and office equipment.
• Assist with loading and unloading students from vehicles, wheelchairs, and gurneys.
• Observe and assist in emergency situations involving aggressive or uncontrolled behavior using approved Crisis Preventative Intervention (CPI) procedures.
• Provide basic first aid and specialized health care as directed.
• Monitor, motivate, and train students with disabilities; manage behavior according to approved procedures and report progress.
• Perform clerical duties such as preparing instructional materials, scoring papers, recording grades, and maintaining student files.
• Support the teacher by setting up work areas, operating audio-visual equipment, and distributing materials.
• Proctor, monitor, and score assignments, tests, and quizzes.
• Assist students in developing self-help, social, and communication skills.
• Monitor lunchroom activities, including feeding and cleaning.
• Report concerns such as substance abuse, child neglect, medical or social conditions, or potential suicide following established procedures.
• Respond to emergency situations and ensure appropriate documentation of safety concerns.
• Supervise students in classrooms, during recess, on field trips, and in other settings.
• Maintain classroom and student facility cleanliness, order, and safety.
• Uphold confidentiality of student records and information.
• Participate in in-service and specialized trainings related to working with students with behavioral and educational needs.
• Maintain a professional appearance.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Highly Qualified Status under ESSA, achieved by one of the following:
  • Passing the Work Keys or Praxis test, or
  • Completing 48 semester hours of college coursework, or
  • Obtaining an Associate’s Degree.
• Reliable transportation.
• Obtain and maintain CPR and First-Aid Certification within 3 months of employment.
• Obtain and maintain Crisis Preventative Intervention (CPI) training certification within 6 months of employment.
• Pass a District-designated post-offer lift test.
• Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check and be cleared by the Office of Human Resources.
• Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Verified First Aid and CPR training with current certification.
• Previous experience in a school district.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to communicate, interact, and work cooperatively with all individuals using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Basic knowledge of subjects taught in District schools.
• Strong work ethic and a patient, receptive attitude toward children with special needs.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, talk, and hear.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Ability to regularly carry 26–60 lbs., occasionally lift up to 75 lbs., and rarely lift up to 100 lbs.
• Ability to push or pull up to 150 lbs. as needed.
• Must pass a District-required lift test.

Working Conditions

• Work primarily in a school/office environment with natural and fluorescent lighting.
• Fast-paced work with constant interruptions.
• Work in classrooms and hallways surrounded by students and staff of various ages and abilities.
• May need to physically guide or assist reluctant, angry, hostile, or violent students using approved CPI procedures.
• Potential contact with blood, other body fluids, and communicable diseases.
• Daily work schedules vary depending on student and school needs.

Benefits

Fringe benefits based on the PPEA Negotiated Agreement.

Pay

Salary follows the Paraprofessional Salary Schedule.

Schedule

158-day work year.