Preschool Early Intervention Paraeducator

Job Description Summary/Objective

A Paraeducator is responsible for assisting the teacher/therapist in providing instruction and support to assigned students in an educational setting, which is designed to promote intellectual, behavioral, emotional, and social growth. Paraeducators can be assigned to individual students or to multiple students. All functions are performed under the direction of the teacher/therapist. The position requires the employee to support students with a variety of needs, which may include individuals who exhibit aggressive behaviors and/or self-injurious behavior. The Paraeducator will be trained to meet the individual needs of the students that they are assigned to with the classroom or setting.

Essential Functions

• Provide one-on-one tutoring (if such tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher).
• Aid in classroom management, such as organizing instructional and/or other materials.
• Act as a liaison in communicating with teacher and other IU and district staff regarding ongoing needs of students.
• Support parental involvement activities.
• Provide support across all educational settings; escort and supervise students to various locations across all educational settings.
• Aid in the use of equipment, augmentative communication devices, and assist with ambulation, positioning, and transfers.
• Monitor and support students in range of motion and other exercises.
• Assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), including feeding, grooming, bathing, toileting, diapering, etc.
• Track information about each student including needs, strengths, gains and problem areas.
• Aid in setting up educational environment and preparing materials for instruction.

Other Duties

• May be trained, when qualified, to occasionally transport students.
• Follow any individualized support plans that may be a part of a student's educational program (e.g., behavior, communication, health, transportation).

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Sit
• Use hands
• Reach with hands and arms
• Talk or hear
• Stand for long periods
• Climb or balance
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, 185-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours are dependent on assignment, work location and the needs of the district. A typical, full-time work day is 7.5 hours. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel

Travel or transport may be expected for this position.

Education And Experience Level

Meet the designation of a Bucks IU “Highly Qualified” Paraeducator by showing evidence of at least one of the following: Associate or Bachelor Degree At least 48 college/university credits A high school diploma or equivalency and successfully pass a local assessment. (Bucks IU considers that a Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators from the Pennsylvania Department of Education meets this requirement for those individuals who do not have at least 48 college/university credits or an Associate or Bachelor Degree).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Experience working with students with disabilities is preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have any supervisor responsibilities.