ED PARA,INTENSIVE DISAB,NC,NT I (ESE)

About the Role

Under direct supervision, this position provides assistance in the education, care, and development of students with severe disabilities. Employees perform instructional, clerical, and behavioral management duties under the direction of a certified teacher, guidance counselor, or administrator, tailored to the exceptional needs of assigned students.

Responsibilities

• Provides instructional, behavioral, and developmental assistance to students with severe disabilities as directed by the supervising teacher or other certified professional.
• Applies basic practices of positive behavioral supports and assists in teaching problem-solving skills.
• Assists with behavior interventions, including monitoring and charting behaviors specific to students with severe disabilities.
• Applies effective principles of crisis intervention for students displaying aggressive behavior, including physical restraint when necessary.
• Assists students with severe disabilities during bus arrivals/departures, including physical transfers from wheelchairs and monitoring medical and social/emotional needs.
• Supports students assigned to in-school suspension with follow-up care.
• Reinforces school rules and learning environment expectations using a positive behavioral support approach.
• Escorts and provides one-on-one assistance during meals, restroom visits, and other daily activities.
• Assists with gross motor activities (e.g., grasping, posture, walking) and fine motor activities (e.g., assistive devices, job/leisure skills).
• Supports daily living skills, including dressing, eating, lavatory needs (e.g., diapering), grooming, and personal hygiene.
• Assists the teacher in developing lesson plans, behavior intervention plans, and accommodations; prepares instructional materials.
• Helps collect and report data for progress monitoring, progress reports, and IEP development/review.
• Performs monitoring duties (e.g., hallways, lunchroom, bus duty) and escorts students to designated areas.
• May assist in labs, translating lesson plans or other information for better student comprehension.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of district technology and attends required training.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with exceptional needs school-age children (Pre-K through 12) in an educational environment, with familiarity of physical/emotional behaviors and challenges of severely disabled children.
• Stress management skills and ability to fulfill physical requirements of the role (e.g., dexterity, lifting).
• Successful completion of ESE Training within 45 days of hire.
• Eligibility for a higher hourly rate in a certified position with proof of:
  • Passing score on the Para Assessment, or
  • Associate’s degree, or
  • 60 completed semester credits.

Skills

• Data Utilization: Ability to evaluate, audit, and assess data using established criteria.
• Human Interaction: Ability to assist in carrying out specialized therapeutic or physical care plans.
• Equipment Use: Ability to operate special needs equipment and devices.
• Verbal Aptitude: Ability to utilize reference, descriptive, and advisory data/information.
• Mathematical Aptitude: Depending on assignment, may require basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), decimals, percentages, fractions, or graph interpretation.
• Functional Reasoning: Ability to apply principles of influence systems (e.g., motivation, leadership) and develop problem-resolution approaches.
• Situational Reasoning: Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in evaluating subjective information.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Ability to exert very heavy physical effort (lifting/carrying up to 100+ pounds, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling).
• Requires visual perception, oral communication, and sound discrimination.
• Regular exposure to adverse conditions, including potential violence when working with severely disabled or emotionally disturbed children.

The district provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Pay

Candidates with a passing Para Assessment score, Associate’s degree, or 60+ semester credits may qualify for a higher hourly rate in a certified position. Evidence (e.g., transcripts, certificate) must be provided.