Yerington Elementary Pre-K Paraprofessional 2026/27

This is a one-year position for the 2026/27 school year. The position is 100% grant funded and dependent on continued funding from the grant on an annual basis. The employee selected may continue if funding continues. There will be no overage placement rights at the end of the grant funding period.

Pay

• $19.27–$27.08 hourly with Employee/Employer retirement, dependent upon previous experience
• $16.29–$22.87 hourly with Employer-paid retirement, dependent upon previous experience

Pay Grade 23 on the Classified Wage Structure (9 month). FLSA Status: Non-Exempt.

About the role

Under the supervision of a licensed teacher, works in special education assisting teaching staff in a variety of activities to provide specially designed instruction to students with disabilities. Assists teachers in providing individual and group functional living, academic skills, vocational and behavioral management support, as well as personal care attendant services to students with various mental and/or physical disabilities to successfully implement requirements of students' Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Additional intensive training beyond what is necessary for a Special Education-Paraprofessional in the areas of student data collection, communication strategies, severe behaviors, and positive behavior management for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cognitive Disabilities, or Behavioral Disorders will be required. This person reports directly to the school site administrator.

Responsibilities

• Assists the student(s) in the program to whom they are assigned in such physical tasks as putting on and taking off outerwear, moving from room to room, using the restroom, providing toileting and/or personal hygiene care (i.e., changing diapers), carrying lunch trays, eating, transportation, etc.
• Assists the student(s) in curriculum tasks as assigned by a certified teacher, carrying out instructional programs and lessons in various learning environments, in and out of the traditional classroom, as designated in the instructional plan based on the IEP and under the direct supervision of the certified teacher.
• Under the direct supervision of a certified teacher, works with small groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher.
• Accompanies the student(s) to other locations within the school, if the child's disability warrants this type of support.
• Establishes as fully as possible a supportive relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Serves as a resource person, if and when requested, to the student's eligibility and IEP teams when conferring about the student whom the paraprofessional is assigned.
• Assists individual students in performing activities initiated by the special education or classroom teacher.
• Assists the special education teacher in data collection procedures, observing, recording, and charting behavior.
• Monitors and reports student(s) progress to the certified personnel.
• Assists the student in interacting with the available classroom technology & augmentative devices (SmartBoard, iPad, etc.).
• Conforms to safety standards as prescribed.
• Works with students and adults in a variety of settings on and off school campus areas.
• Commutes outside of attendance area as required by certified personnel in order to transport students to programs not available within the student's school of attendance.
• Takes direction from and provides assistance to the Special Education teacher in charge of the special education program.
• Performs and participates in other related duties as assigned by the building administrator or designee.
• Handles stress and interacts appropriately with supervisors, coworkers, students, and the community.
• Maintains regular and consistent punctuality and attendance.

Accountabilities

• Works under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher and is evaluated by the site administration utilizing teacher input.

Requirements

• Knowledge of CPR/AED and Universal Precautions.
• Ability to work effectively with special needs students.
• Ability to interpret and apply oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform several tasks and determine priorities.
• Ability to deal with unusual behavior and crisis situations.
• Ability to learn and apply school rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Ability to complete routine records.
• Ability to recognize and report hazards and apply safe work methods.
• Possess physical and mental stamina commensurate with the responsibilities of the position.
• Willingness to attend training as it relates to implementation of IEPs.

American Sign Language (ASL) Expectations (When Assigned To ASL)

• Experience working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Knowledge of deaf culture.
• Ability to communicate via ASL with students.
• Perform specialized duties requiring the application of and proficiency in accepted and designated sign languages, such as ASL, finger spelling, methods, and techniques used in communicating with persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.
• Able to utilize a variety of technologies to assist students that may include monitoring and assisting with FM systems, hearing aids, and other assistive devices.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Valid driver's license and DMV clearance.

Licenses and Certifications

• Must complete specialized training as needed to meet student needs as outlined in IEPs.
• Current Crisis Prevention and Restraint Training, First Aid, and CPR Training.
• Bloodborne Pathogen and Universal Precaution Training.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical and mental requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

• Strength, dexterity, coordination, and vision to use keyboard and video display terminal for prolonged periods.
• Strength and stamina to bend, stoop, sit, and stand for long periods of time.
• Dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper; occasional lifting of files, stacks of paper or reports, references, student work, and other materials.
• Some reaching for items above and below waist and head level.
• Some reaching, bending, squatting, and stooping to assist students in accessing files, student work, and other items.
• The manual dexterity and cognitive ability to operate a personal computer and other educational technology (LCD projector, SmartBoard, iPads/Tablets, augmentative communication devices, etc.) to enhance student learning.
• Involves hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds or 1/3 body weight, whichever is greater, to waist height, perform a 2 to 3 person lift, and the ability to restrain student(s) as needed and in accordance with state regulations.

In compliance with applicable disability laws, reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with a disability who require and request such accommodations. Incumbents and individuals who have been offered employment are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed under the following conditions: exposure to climate-controlled classroom settings to outside weather with temperatures ranging from mild/moderate to extreme cold/heat.
• May involve exposure to noise levels ranging from moderate to very loud on occasional to frequent time periods.
• May involve work in crowded environments.
• May involve frequent to moderate lifting and other physical demands.
• Hazards include stress, anxiety, verbal and physical aggression, classroom furniture, playground/office equipment, bloodborne pathogens, communicable diseases, chemicals (as related to specific assignment), and power/hand-operated equipment and machinery (as related to specific assignment).