Job Coach/Paraeducator

About the Role

Under the direction of the Transition Program Supervisor and in collaboration with the coordinator(s), job coaches support individuals with disabilities in developing, refining, and generalizing skills necessary for successful employment. As a Paraeducator, you will assist the teacher/therapist in providing instruction and support to assigned students in an educational setting designed to promote intellectual, behavioral, emotional, and social growth. This position requires supporting students with a variety of needs, which may include individuals who exhibit aggressive behaviors and/or self-injurious behavior. Training will be provided to meet the individual needs of assigned students.

This is an on-site position; remote work, telecommuting, or off-site arrangements are not eligible.

Responsibilities

Job Coach Duties

• Provide on-site job support to help students perform work duties.
• Implement accommodations and adaptations at the work site to facilitate student independence.
• Maintain accurate student data, including hours worked and job performance.
• Utilize and assess student preferences, skills, aptitudes, and strengths to identify potential employment opportunities.

Paraeducator Duties

• Assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as feeding, grooming, bathing, toileting, and diapering.
• Monitor designated health problems or medical conditions (e.g., seizure precautions or extreme lethargy).
• Accompany students on school buses or other vehicles.
• Cue, redirect, or monitor students to ensure completion of ADL tasks when cognitive impairments prevent independent performance.
• Observe, monitor, and intervene to assist with ADL completion.

Additional Duties

• Perform other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned to support departmental and organizational needs.
• Provide guidance, support, and collaboration with colleagues and team members as needed.

Physical Demands

This position requires regular on-site presence and includes a combination of sedentary and active physical duties. Responsibilities may involve:

• Sitting, communicating effectively, and using hands for fine motor tasks.
• Walking, standing, reaching, bending, kneeling, crouching, and positioning at student level for extended periods.
• Assisting with transitions, mobility support, and instructional or daily living activities.
• Lifting up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 25 pounds occasionally; certain assignments may require assisting with weights exceeding 25 pounds with appropriate training.
• Implementing approved crisis intervention techniques and supporting students with diverse educational, behavioral, communication, and personal care needs.
• Working in environments with elevated noise levels and varying behavioral or emotional support needs.

Required vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employees must also be able to hear and interpret sounds within the environment, including student communication and safety concerns.

Schedule

This is a full-time, 185-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though hours may vary based on district assignments, program needs, meetings, training, or organizational priorities. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required.

No regular travel is required, but occasional travel to meetings, trainings, conferences, or other work-related activities may be necessary.

Requirements

• Valid Pennsylvania Driver's License (required if transporting students).
• CPR & First Aid Certification (required).
• Crisis Prevention Institute Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training (required).
• Experience working with students with disabilities (preferred).
• Proficiency in processing software, email, sending attachments, and tracking billing (preferred).

Qualifications

To meet the designation of a Bucks IU “Highly Qualified” Paraeducator, evidence of at least one of the following is required:

• Associate or Bachelor Degree.
• At least 48 college/university credits.
• A high school diploma or equivalency and successful passage of a local assessment (Bucks IU considers the Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators from the Pennsylvania Department of Education as meeting this requirement).

Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of disabilities (preferred).
• Ability to take initiative and establish/maintain working relationships with community businesses and volunteer work sites.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse educational, socio-economic, ethnic, and disability groups.
• Strong organizational skills and accuracy in record-keeping.