Paraprofessional Specialist - Intensive (Miller Park)

Purpose Statement

The job of Paraprofessional Specialist - Miller Park Center is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program within assigned classroom with specific responsibility for working with at-risk students; following educational and specific behavioral plans; documenting students' daily activities; and modeling appropriate behaviors and interactions with student and staff.

Essential Functions

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives.
• Collections student and classroom data under the direction of the classroom teacher (e.g. behavior, completed assignments, on/off task times, etc.) for the purpose of monitoring student growth and possible IEP/BIP revisions, facilitating instruction, and reinforcing established learning concepts.
• Communicates with a variety of professionals (e.g. SLPs, PTs, COTAs, teachers, etc.) for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Implements necessary accommodations and modifications for the purpose of increasing accessibility in general special education environments.
• Maintains manual and electronic files and/or records for the purpose of providing written reference; and/or meeting mandated requirements.
• Maintains ongoing targeted professional development for the purpose of remaining current on educational practices needed to support students in meeting District educational standards.
• Models conversation, manners, clean up activities, listening, and everyday interactions for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Makes sure students are safe during assigned periods within a variety of school environments for the purpose of providing student safety, removing students when necessary, and de-escalating situations outside the classroom.
• Provides instruction to students, under direction of the classroom teacher (e.g. math, science, reading, behavioral skills, daily living skills, writing, verbal skills, etc.) for the purpose of implementing IEP goals; assisting in adapting to mainstream classroom/s; and ensuring students success.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns.
• Supports students as needed and/or assigned for the purpose of providing specific intensive behavioral supports.
• Utilizes District approved behavior management techniques (e.g. talking problems, through, teaching coping skills, providing physical support, etc.) for the purpose of assisting students to be able to fully participate their educational setting.

Marginal Functions

• Performs other related duties for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications: Skills, Knowledge And Abilities
• SKILLS: adhering to safety practices; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.
• KNOWLEDGE: reading a variety of manuals, writing documents following prescribed formats, and/or presenting information to others; and analyzing situations to define issues and draw conclusions.
• ABILITY: scheduling activities and/or meetings; gathering and/or collating data; and using job-related equipment.
• Specific Skill Based Competencies: adhering to safety practices; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.
• Specific Knowledge Based Competencies: age appropriate activities when working with high risk youth; and concepts of grammar and punctuation.
• Specific Ability Based Competencies: establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; and working with frequent interruptions.

Responsibilities

• There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization’s services.
• Leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others;
• Operating within a defined budget.
• Utilizing some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions.
• There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment

• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity.
• Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing.
• The job is performed under minimal temperature variations.