Paraeducator Special Education: Learning Disability - Inclusion/Resource 6.5 Hours/Day

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

Provide instructional support under the supervision of the special education teacher in a special education environment or as required by an individual education plan (IEP). A paraeducator will provide support to students with varying high-incidence disabilities (e.g., specific learning disabilities, speech-language disabilities, other health impairments).

Responsibilities

• Student Support & Instruction: Reinforce material and skills by working with individual students or small groups. Assist with assessments and data collection under the supervision of the teacher.
• Social-Emotional Development: Assist students with their social and emotional needs, helping them build positive behaviors and navigate social situations. Implement behavioral plans and strategies to foster a productive and positive learning environment.
• Supervision & Safety: Actively supervise students during all school activities, including emergency drills, assemblies, field trips, and lunch. Ensure students' well-being and safety. Report any potential concerns, such as substance use or dangerous situations, based on daily observations.
• Classroom Operations: Help maintain a quiet and orderly classroom. Assist with creating bulletin boards and other classroom displays and properly care for all school equipment.
• Communication & Confidentiality: Alert the teacher to any student problems or special information. Translate, both orally and in writing, for students, parents, and staff when needed. Maintain the confidentiality of all student and staff information.
• Flexibility & Teamwork: Be flexible and perform other duties as assigned to support the overall objectives of the position.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• For Title 1 Schools: Associate's Degree or 60 semester hours from an accredited university, or satisfactory results on an AZ state-approved competency exam (parapro exam is administered by district at no cost to employee).
• CPR/First Aid certification (provided).
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a computer and related software.
• Satisfactory criminal background check.

Skills

• Respond to all internal and external customers, as it relates to position, in a prompt, efficient, friendly, and patient manner.
• Function effectively as a team member.
• Be responsible, reliable, and punctual.
• Be flexible and adaptable to change.
• Positively accept direction.
• Maintain courteous, cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and parents.
• Direct constructive criticism toward improving the district.
• Exercise positive problem-solving behavior and conflict resolution skills.
• Adhere to the dress code appropriate to the site and job.
• Share sensitive student and staff information on a need-to-know basis.
• Be a positive role model for students.
• Work with a large cross-section of people in a professional and non-judgmental manner.

Core Values

• Excellence: Excellence in all we do, valuing it as our most important product.
• Equity and Fairness: Education as the great leveler, providing opportunity, tools, and ability to succeed and excel.
• Collaboration: An effective decision-making and morale-enhancing model.
• Integrity: Honesty, integrity, and reliability as the foundations of our organization.
• Efficiency: The essence of being a good steward of public trust.

Physical Requirements

• Mobility and Movement: Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, stand, walk, and sit. Involves repetitive finger and manual dexterity.
• Sensory and Communication: Requires the ability to speak, hear, and see (with correction) to perform essential job functions.
• Physical Exertion:
  • Occasionally: Lift or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Frequently: Lift or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
  • Constantly: Lift or move objects weighing up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment

• May be exposed to various environmental factors such as odors, dust, poor ventilation, workspace restrictions, bloodborne pathogens, and loud noises.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Pay

Starting hourly rate: Minimum $17.32 (Grade 106, Support Hourly).

• New Hire Experience Credit: Starting hourly rate will be determined based on experience in a full-time, paid job with like duties held in the previous 10 years. 1% per year starting in year 2, not to exceed the max hiring range of 5%.
• New Hire Education Credit: Associate's degree or higher in a like field may be considered for a 1% increase, combined with experience not to exceed 5% in addition to starting hourly rate for position.
• Performance Pay: Up to $600 available annually.

Schedule

• Full-time: 1902 hours / 184 work days, 11 paid holidays (9-month calendar).
• Part-time: 1802 hours (9-month calendar).

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays.
• Matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System.
• Health and life insurance.
• Wellness programs.
• Professional growth credit.