Special Education CDC Assistant - Full-Time, Interim

About the role

The Special Education Para Pro will work in a self-contained room under the direction of the Special Education Teacher. The students’ disabilities range from mild to severe. The Para Pro will implement programming designed by the teacher to promote social, physical, adaptive, and intellectual growth, and provide support to help students with disabilities achieve established goals and meet personal care and mobility needs as needed.

Responsibilities

• Implement programming designed by the teacher for activities that promote social, physical, adaptive, and intellectual growth.
• Assist classroom teachers or other professionals to achieve instructional objectives.
• Assist students with disabilities in achieving established goals and with personal care and mobility as needed.
• Perform specific duties as assigned or undertake specialized tasks to achieve and enhance instructional and behavioral objectives.
• Work with individuals, small groups, or large groups as assigned by the teacher.
• Assist with behavior modification as assigned by the leader.
• Lift, move, and operate adaptive equipment.
• Assist students with personal care tasks, including lavatory routines, clothing, hygiene, diapering, toileting, and wash-up as needed.
• Escort students as assigned by the teacher or administrator.
• Assist students with mobility needs such as lifting and positioning students, transferring in and out of wheelchairs, loading and unloading on the bus, and transporting students within and around the school and on field trips.
• Monitor students during assigned periods in a variety of school environments to maintain a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provide programmed practice activities and repetitions as developed by the teacher, therapist, or pathologist.
• Report student concerns directly and expeditiously to the teacher and assist with student resolution.
• Assist with breakfast, lunch, snack, and clean-up as needed.
• Maintain various records and files.

Physical Requirements

• Significant standing; some walking, moving, climbing, carrying, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, handling, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

Equipment

• Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.

Travel Requirements

• Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, may be required for certain positions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to understand, apply, and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees, and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

Education and Experience

• Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s Degree or passing score on Para Professional Praxis preferred.
• Some experience working with students with disabilities preferred.
• Must be Highly Qualified. In order to be Highly Qualified, applicant must have at least one of the following:
  • Passed the Praxis Test for Para-Professionals or agree to take the test and receive a passing score.
  • 48 hours of successful college coursework (upload college transcript to document the hours).
  • An Associate’s Degree or higher (upload college transcript to document your degree).