Paraprofessional Specialist - Intensive (Miller Park)

Full-time position for the 2026-27 school year: 7.5 hours per day, 171 days per year.

Purpose

The Paraprofessional Specialist at Miller Park Center provides support to the instructional program within assigned classrooms, with specific responsibility for working with at-risk students. Responsibilities include following educational and behavioral plans, documenting student activities, and modeling appropriate behaviors and interactions.

Responsibilities

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments, and materials under the direction of the supervising teacher to support and reinforce classroom objectives.
• Collects student and classroom data (e.g., behavior, completed assignments, on/off task times) to monitor student growth, facilitate instruction, and reinforce learning concepts.
• Communicates with professionals (e.g., SLPs, PTs, COTAs, teachers) to assist in evaluating progress and implementing IEP objectives.
• Implements accommodations and modifications to increase accessibility in special education environments.
• Maintains manual and electronic files and records to meet mandated requirements.
• Engages in ongoing professional development to remain current on educational practices supporting student success.
• Models conversation, manners, clean-up activities, listening, and everyday interactions to demonstrate appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Monitors students in various school environments to ensure safety, remove students when necessary, and de-escalate situations outside the classroom.
• Provides instruction to students (e.g., math, science, reading, behavioral skills, daily living skills) under the direction of the classroom teacher to implement IEP goals and ensure student success.
• Responds to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns.
• Supports students as needed to provide intensive behavioral interventions.
• Utilizes District-approved behavior management techniques (e.g., problem-solving, teaching coping skills, providing physical support) to help students fully participate in their educational setting.
• Performs other related duties to ensure the efficient functioning of the work unit.

Requirements

• Must have 60 college credit hours, 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

• Skills: Ability to perform multiple tasks, adhere to safety practices, and maintain accurate records.
• Knowledge: Basic math (fractions, percents, ratios), reading and writing documents, analyzing situations, age-appropriate activities for at-risk youth, and grammar/punctuation concepts.
• Abilities: Schedule activities, gather data, use job-related equipment, work with diverse individuals, maintain confidentiality, work as part of a team, and handle frequent interruptions. Flexibility to work in varied circumstances and problem-solve independently.

Work Environment

The role requires significant physical demands, including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and fine finger dexterity. The job involves 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing, performed under minimal temperature variations.