Paraprofessional for Special Needs Student

About the Role

We are seeking caring individuals to work one-on-one (and/or in small groups) with children who have special needs. The paraprofessional supports the child with academics and social-emotional needs, working alongside a team of teachers to determine best-practice strategies. Responsibilities include:

• Assisting the child in the regular classroom and throughout their day
• Using various strategies to help the child succeed in their learning environment
• Collaborating with a team of educators to implement an Individual Education Plan (IEP)

This is a full-time, 10-month position (8am–3:30pm). Candidates will work with a K–8 student, assisting with learning in classrooms and fostering a safe, positive environment for growth.

About Us

Premier Charter School is a public charter school in St. Louis serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. As the first charter school in the city, we focus on building a strong academic foundation and the social-emotional skills needed for success in high school and beyond. Our approach includes:

• Whole child development through research-based practices like Project-Based Learning
• National School of Character designation—the first charter school in the St. Louis area to earn both state and national recognition
• A diverse community of students from 27 of the city’s 29 zip codes, speaking languages including Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, English, French, Italian, Lao, Oromo, Polish, Somali, Spanish, Thai, Tigrinya, Vietnamese, Yoruba, and more
• A mission-driven focus on academic and social-emotional growth, guided by our North Star
• A supportive professional learning environment with continuous education and resources for staff

Who We Are Seeking

We seek effective communicators and lifelong learners who are culturally responsive, embrace project-based learning, and love building relationships with kids. Ideal candidates demonstrate:

• Academic skill: Mastery in core content areas, strong literacy and math proficiency, and habits for continuous learning
• Curiosity: Genuine interest in the world, critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and collaborative communication
• Empowerment: Confidence in making values-aligned decisions, treating others with respect, and advocating for what’s right
• Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify, express, and manage emotions; deep self-reflection; and authentic empathy
• Appreciation of difference: Actively seeking diverse perspectives and valuing others’ experiences and belief systems

Our staff prepare students to meet our Five Graduate Aims while embodying these traits.

Requirements

• Must obtain one of the following (before employment begins):
  • 60 college credit hours, or
  • Passing score on the ParaPro Assessment (pre-September 23, 2013) or Paraprofessional Assessment (September 23, 2013 or later), or
  • Completion of the 20HR Substitute Certificate Course
• Ability to work under the direct supervision of a certified teacher to provide instructional assistance
• Authorization to work for any U.S. employer (sponsorship not available)

Preferred experience:

• Working with children with special needs
• Classroom setting experience

Benefits

• Medical: UnitedHealthcare plan covering medical and prescription drugs; spouses, domestic partners, and children under 26 eligible. High Deductible Health Plan with HSA includes a 25% employer match up to $5,300 per school year.
• Dental: Cigna plan covering preventive care and orthodontia; spouses, domestic partners, and children under 26 eligible.
• Vision: Cigna plan covering annual exams, frames, lenses, and contacts; spouses, domestic partners, and children under 26 eligible.
• Life Insurance & Disability:
  • Life/AD&D insurance: 1x annual salary (max $50,000); voluntary coverage available for family
  • Short-Term Disability: 60% of base salary (max $1,250/week) for 11 weeks
  • Long-Term Disability: 60% of base salary (max $7,500/month) after 90 days
  • Maternity/paternity leave: 4–6 weeks paid via short-term disability
• Leave:
  • 10 paid personal/sick days
  • 10 paid maternity/paternity days for birth or adoption; additional unpaid leave available per FMLA
• Retirement: Participation in the Public School Retirement System of St. Louis (PSRSSTL), a pension fund with member, employer, and investment contributions. Learn more.
• On-Site Daycare: Convenient, flexible care for newborns to 5-year-olds with reasonable tuition (based on availability). Includes breastfeeding/pumping support and aligns with school schedules.
• Wellness Programs:
  • Annual wellness fair
  • Healthy snacks provided year-round
  • Discounted on-site fitness programs (e.g., yoga) and fitness center access
  • Teambuilding activities: school volleyball, social hours, mid-year, and year-end celebrations

Pay

Starting at $19/hour, based on experience.

Schedule

Full-time, 10-month position (8am–3:30pm).