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

About the role

This position assists the teacher in the education of students, providing instructional assistance, organization, record keeping, and management of student behavior.

Responsibilities

• Supervises students in class setting as directed by the teacher or other staff
• Aids in managing classroom routines and procedures
• Aids in interventions to redirect behavior, assess crisis situations, and intervene to defuse situations
• Documents occurrences and provides feedback to develop positive self-esteem of students
• Aids the teacher by supervising school activities on or off campus during the instructional day
• Aids in implementing student behavior plans
• Aids students to and from assigned areas within the building to facilitate integration efforts
• Aids the teacher in the physical setup of the classroom for group instruction, projects, and activities
• Aids in integrating technology into the classroom
• Aids students in using low vision equipment and adaptive magnifying equipment
• Participates in effective teaming skills, collaboration, conflict resolution, and communication
• Provides individual and/or group instruction which may include regular education students in academic areas after initial instruction by teacher
• Aids students through the use of questioning and discussion techniques
• Aids with student engagement with the curriculum
• Aids students with the integration into regular education classroom
• Evaluates student progress on work assignments and shares information with teacher
• Aids the teacher with designing and/or planning instruction and follow through
• Aids with scoring tests, keeping records, and making reports as required by the teacher
• Demonstrates knowledge of district resources
• Prepares instructional materials and/or learning centers
• Aids in planning for the Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Maintains high level of confidentiality of information regarding students and staff information and issues
• Models appropriate behavior for students
• Develops and maintains a professional rapport with classroom teacher and other staff
• Communicates with students, parents, instructional and support staff by letter, phone, e-mail, fax or personal contact as directed by the administrator or classroom teacher
• Observes and charts student behavior and assists in discipline of student as instructed by the teacher
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritize and organize
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, PLCs, and parent conferences as required
• Acquires a minimum of 20 hours of in-service annually. After 3 years a minimum of 10 in-service hours is required.
• Aids students to and from buses and assisting the drivers until departure time
• Aids in the transportation of students
• Aids in caring for student's medical needs when under the direct supervision of the school nurse or other appropriate professional
• Aids students with basic needs including but not limited to self-care, hygiene, feeding, (may include tube feeding), toileting, diapering, dressing and physical transfers
• Possesses the manual dexterity, physical ability and stamina for a full day of physical activity
• Aids and supervises students to and from assigned areas
• Demonstrates typing skills
• Demonstrates the ability to interline all Braille material for tests and daily lessons

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

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 50 pounds; Be able to lift and carry up to 100 pounds with assistance
• Be able to demonstrate good finger dexterity

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Extensive knowledge and experience working with students who demonstrate the need for intensive services in one or more of the categorical areas listed above
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing and delivering training to meet the targeted needs of the identified audience
• Proficient problem solving skills
• Demonstrated acumen in completing tasks and dealing with situations related to the essential functions of the position
• Extensive knowledge and practice setting up structured environments
• 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
• Must pass the Physical Capacity Test (PCP)
• Requires in-service, training or course work in first aide, symptoms of child abuse, and/or symptoms and signs of illness
• Requires knowledge and literacy of various sign language modalities, Braille, NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) and/or other special skills