Para Special Education High Incidence (2026-2027 School Year)

Supervisory Information

Under the supervision of an administrator and direction of a certificated/licensed staff, assist the teacher in the education of students including instructional assistance, organization, record keeping, and management of student behavior, classroom safety, and communication with students, support staff and parents.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Supervises students in class setting as directed by the teacher
• Affords assistance in managing classroom routines and procedures
• Affords assistance in the interventions to redirect behavior, assesses crisis situations and intervenes to defuse situations, documents any occurrences, provides feedback to develop positive self-esteem of student
• Affords assistance by supervising school activities on or off campus during the course of the instructional day
• Affords assistance in the implementing of student behavior plan
• Affords assistance in and around the assigned areas within the building to facilitate integration efforts
• Affords assistance in the physical setup of the classroom for group instruction, projects, and activities
• Affords assistance in the integration of technology into the classroom
• Affords participation in effective teaming skills, collaboration, conflict resolution and communication
• Affords individual and/or group instruction which may include regular education students in academic areas after initial instruction by teacher
• Affords feedback to students and teachers
• Affords assistance with student engagement with the curriculum
• Affords assistance with student self-advocacy
• Affords assistance with student use of technology
• Affords demonstration of knowledge of district resources
• Affords assistance with planning and implementation of any type of community based instruction
• Affords demonstration of appropriate behavior for students
• Affords development and maintenance of a professional rapport with classroom teacher and other staff
• Affords demonstration of sensitivity to the needs of students, staff, and parents
• Affords communication with students, parents, instructional and support staff by letter, phone, e-mail, fax or personal contact as directed by the administrator or classroom teacher
• Affords observation and charting of student behavior and assists in discipline of student as instructed by the teacher
• Affords demonstration of the ability to prioritize and organize
• Affords demonstration of flexibility and responsiveness
• Affords attendance and participation in staff meetings, PLCs and parent conferences as required
• Affords acquisition of a minimum of 20 hours of in-service annually. After 3 years a minimum of 10 in-service hours is required. (Paras are encouraged to take advantage of in-services provided by the building or district)
• Affords assistance with students to and from buses and assisting the drivers until departure time
• Affords assistance in the transportation of students
• Affords assistance in caring for student's medical needs when under the direct supervision of the school nurse or other appropriate professional
• Affords assistance with students' basic needs including but not limited to self-care, hygiene, feeding, (may include tube feeding), toileting, diapering, dressing and physical transfers

Additional Duties

Assists with additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

Equipment

This position may require the ability to use SMART boards and iPads in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with USD 259's guidelines for equipment use.

Travel

Limited travel between schools and central offices may be required.

Physical And Mental Demands

• Be able to work in various weather conditions
• Be able to react immediately to an emergency situation for the safety and welfare of the students and staff, which may include the use of physical restraint technique
• Be able to walk long distances, stand for long periods, bend, twist, balance, stoop, climb steps and reach overhead
• Possess the manual dexterity, physical ability and stamina for a full day of physical activity
• Be able to see and hear well
• Be able to lift, carry, push and pull up to 20 pounds

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Demonstrated proficiency in developing and delivering training to meet the targeted needs of the identified audience
• Some positions may require knowledge of various sign language modalities, Braille, NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) or other special skills
• Ability to communicate both verbally and written in order to communicate with others inside and outside of the organization for the purpose of giving and obtaining information
• Ability to communicate effectively with a Supervisor when their discretion is needed
• Ability to perform as an effective team player
• Ability to plan, organize, make decisions and prioritize work to meet the daily demands of the building
• Exhibit a professional manner and a positive attitude
• Use good judgment to make decisions on recurring assignments
• Display a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality
• Use proper standards of professional dress and appearance
• Knowledge of company's mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required
• Paras working in a Title School must have a minimum of 48 accredited college credits verifiable with a transcript or pass a state approved assessment
• Some positions may require knowledge of various sign language modalities, Braille, NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) or other special skills
• Some positions require in service, training or course work in first aide, symptoms of child abuse, and/or symptoms and signs of illness
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt