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

Salary schedule: Candidates that have taken the Para Assessment with a passing score, or have an Associate’s degree or 60 completed semester credits, may be eligible for a higher hourly rate in a certified position. Evidence must be provided. Please upload a copy of your official transcripts or certificate showing a passing score on the assessment.

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. Work is 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 physically transferring students from wheelchairs and monitoring medical and social/emotional needs.
• Supports students assigned to in-school suspension, reinforcing school rules and encouraging appropriate behavior 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 (grasping, posture, crawling, walking, running) and fine motor activities (assistive devices, job/leisure skills) as appropriate.
• Supports daily living skills, including dressing, eating, lavatory needs (including 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.
• May monitor hallways, lunchrooms, restrooms, or buses to ensure appropriate student conduct.
• May assist in labs or translate lesson plans for better student comprehension.
• Stays current with district-required technology and attends training to maintain skill levels.

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 and emotional behaviors/challenges of severely disabled children.
• Stress management skills and ability to fulfill physical requirements of the work.
• Must complete ESE Training within 45 days of hire.

Skills

• Data Utilization: Ability to evaluate, audit, and assess data using established criteria, including discretion in determining consequences and selecting alternatives.
• Human Interaction: Ability to assist persons by action or interaction in carrying out specialized therapeutic or physical care plans.
• Equipment Use: Ability to operate, maneuver, and control special needs equipment and devices.
• Verbal Aptitude: Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and advisory data.
• 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 (motivation, incentive, leadership) and exercise independent judgment for problem resolution.
• Situational Reasoning: Ability to evaluate information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria with creativity and decisiveness.

Physical Demands

• Exerts very heavy physical effort in very heavy work, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling.
• Lifts, carries, pushes, and/or pulls heavy objects (up to 100 pounds) and occasionally heavier items (100+ pounds).
• Most tasks require visual perception and discrimination; some require oral communication and sound discrimination.
• Regularly exposed to adverse environmental conditions, including potential violence when working with severely disabled or emotionally disturbed children.

The Orange County School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.