Paraprofessional Specialist - GBECC - Legacy Park

2026-27 School Year – 145 days/year, 8 hours/day. Position located at Great Beginnings - Legacy Park. Schedule: Monday - Thursday 8:20 a.m. - 4:20 p.m. and the first Friday each month 8:20 a.m. - 4:20 p.m.

Purpose

The Paraprofessional Specialist provides support to the instructional program within the assigned classroom, with specific responsibility for working with at-risk students one-on-one. Duties include following educational and behavioral plans, documenting students' daily activities, and modeling appropriate behaviors and interactions with students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher to support and reinforce classroom objectives.
• Communicates with teachers and health care professionals (e.g., Speech Therapist, PTs, COTAs) to assist in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Documents student’s daily activities (e.g., behavior, completed assignments, on/off task times) for daily logs and hourly activity tracking.
• Implements instruction in Life Skills under the direction of the classroom teacher to reinforce learning concepts.
• Implements behavioral plans designed by the IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions.
• Maintains manual and electronic files/records to provide written reference and meet mandated requirements.
• Models conversation, manners, clean-up activities, listening, and everyday interactions to demonstrate appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Monitors student’s daily schedule and behavior plan (e.g., class schedule, toileting, medication, appetite) to maintain a safe and positive learning environment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient functioning of the work unit.
• Provides instruction to students under the direction of the classroom teacher (e.g., math, science, reading, behavioral skills, daily living skills) to implement IEP goals and ensure student success.
• Remains with a student at all times to ensure safety, remove students when necessary, and de-escalate situations outside the classroom.
• Responds to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns.

Requirements

• 60 college credit hours, or pass the Paraprofessional test in the State of Missouri, or complete the Missouri 20-hour Online Substitute Training Program.
• Valid Driver’s License and evidence of insurability.
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.

Skills & Competencies

• Skills: Ability to perform multiple tasks, adhere to safety practices, and maintain accurate records.
• Knowledge: Basic math (fractions, percents, ratios), reading/writing documents, analyzing situations, age-appropriate activities for high-risk youth, and grammar/punctuation concepts.
• Abilities: Schedule activities, gather/collate data, use job-related equipment, work with diverse individuals, maintain confidentiality, work as part of a team, and handle frequent interruptions.
• Flexibility to work with others in varied circumstances, adapt to different data processes, and operate standardized equipment.
• Problem-solving to identify issues and create action plans, with independent interpretation of guidelines.

Working Conditions

• Physical demands: Significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity.
• Work environment: 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing. Performed under minimal temperature variations.
• Responsibilities: Works under direct supervision using standardized procedures; leads, guides, or coordinates others; operates within a defined budget.