Full-Time Personal Care Assistant: Diagnostic Kindergarten

Schedule

Full-Time. 7.00 Hours/Day (8:30 am‑3:30 pm) Monday‑Friday, 185 days per year.

Pay

Minimum salary: $20.00 per hour.

Purpose of Position

The Personal Care Assistant / 1:1 Paraeducator (School Age) provides instructional, behavioral, and personal care support as outlined in the student's Individual Education Plan. The assistant works under the direction of the classroom teacher and general supervision of the designated program supervisor. The assignment is for a school year and may terminate at any time based on student placement or needs.

Requirements

Education required: High School Diploma or High School Equivalency (effective July 1, 2010). Candidates must also meet one of the following qualifications:

• Completed the Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators through the PA Department of Education (or willing to complete within 6 months of employment). A copy of the credential must be submitted within 30 days of hire or when received from PDE.
• Completed at least 2 years of postsecondary study with a minimum of 48 credit hours. Copy of transcript required within 30 days of employment.
• Possess an associate degree or higher. Copy of degree or transcripts required within 30 days of employment.
• Met a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through an approved form of assessment within 6 months of employment.

Additional requirement: Each school year, provide evidence of 20 hours of staff development activities related to the position, as required by the PA Department of Education. Pro‑ration applies based on hire date.

Skills

• Verbal communication skills and the ability to follow directions.
• Basic computer skills: data entry, internet/email usage, word processing, and spreadsheets.

Certification

Required certification(s): Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), Safe Crisis Management Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention (SCM), or Quality Behavioral Solutions – Safety‑Care Crisis Prevention (QBS), as directed by program needs.

Physical Requirements

The role requires the strength and ability to lift and/or assist in lifting students ranging from pre‑school age to twenty‑one, including those using assistive appliances such as wheelchairs. The employee must be able to physically restrain students in emotional stress using CPI, SCM, or QBS methods (training provided). Ability to run/sprint after an eloping child and to assist a learner who has fallen is also required. See the position guide for a complete list of physical demands.