Job Description
Job Location: Opportunity Acres - Shingle Springs, CA 95682
Salary Range: $19.00 - $19.00 Hourly
Paraprofessional / Behavioral Instructional Assistant (ABA Classroom Support)
Education & Behavioral Services | Shingle Springs, CA
Pay Info: From $19.00/hour (part-time, full-time)
Join a team that changes lives every day.
At Opportunity Acres and its non-public school program Independent Trails School, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and build independence in a supportive, structured environment. Our unique 56-acre ranch setting integrates academic instruction, behavioral support, and real-world learning experiences for students diagnosed with autism and developmental disabilities.
We are seeking dedicated Paraprofessionals to provide one-on-one Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)-based instruction and behavioral support to high school students. This role combines classroom learning with hands-on skill development in a small class, high-support environment where every interaction matters.
Position Summary
The Paraprofessional provides individualized academic instruction and behavior support under the supervision of a classroom teacher and behavior consultant. Staff work closely with students in a 1:1 to 1:3 ratio, implementing lesson plans, behavior intervention strategies, and communication supports while promoting student progress toward individualized goals.
Qualifications
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Ability to pass criminal background check and reference checks
- Negative TB test and immunization records
- Reliable transportation to and from work
- Basic computer skills (email, internet, Microsoft Office)
Preferred
- Experience or coursework in education, psychology, behavior analysis, or related field
- Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities (not required—training provided)
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, sit, stoop, kneel, crawl, and reach throughout the workday
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
- Ability to work in an active, fast-paced classroom and outdoor ranch environment
- Ability to travel locally via automobile for community outings and transportation routes
Pre-Employment Requirements
- Criminal background clearance
- Reference and education verification
- TB test and immunization records
- Completion of onboarding training and ongoing mentorship
- Availability for weekday schedule (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–2:30 PM)
What You’ll Do
- Provide 1:1 and small-group ABA-based academic instruction
- Implement individualized lesson plans and behavior intervention plans as directed by the teacher and behavior consultant
- Work in collaboration with classroom staff to develop goal-oriented activities
- Deliver instruction using defined SDs (discriminative stimuli), prompts, and reinforcement procedures
- Collect accurate data and complete session notes for each student
- Monitor and record student progress using designated data systems
- Support communication using adaptive communication methods
- Participate in classroom routines, school activities, and community outings
- Communicate regularly with teachers and directors regarding student progress, challenges, and training needs
- Support direct care needs of students as required
Compensation
- $19.00/hour starting pay
- Benefits include:
- - Paid Time Off (PTO)
- - Paid Sick Leave (PSL)
- - Paid Holidays
- - Health, dental, and vision insurance (eligibility after 6 months, 30+ hours/week)
- - 401(k) retirement plan
- - Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA) options
- - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- - Paid training, mentoring, and ongoing professional development
Why Opportunity Acres & Independent Trails School?
At Opportunity Acres and Independent Trails School, you’ll join a mission-driven team committed to helping students with autism build academic, behavioral, and life skills in a supportive ranch-school environment. Every day is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful growth, independence, and long-term success for students.
Apply Today and Help Us Build Brighter Futures.
Qualifications
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- - - - Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis, command of terminology in order to effectively communicate with supervisors and administration, understanding and working knowledge of the basic behavioral principles, verbal behavior, and incidental training; knowledge of prompt hierarchy, PECS and DTT; ability to appropriately address behavior excesses (i.e., tantrum, aggression, etc.).
- - - - Punctual to sessions and meetings, consistently at work and on time, presents self professionally, dresses appropriately.
- - - - Works well independently and as a team player; maintains effective and proper working relationships among coworkers, clients, and supervisors; welcomes feedback, accepts responsibility for own actions, follows directions, follows proper chain of command.
- - - - Ability to manage difficult or emotional student situations, keeps emotions under control, maintains student and company confidentiality.
- - - - Effective oral and written communication, participates in meetings.
- - - - Sets and achieves goals, adheres to a schedule, pursues training and development opportunities, volunteers readily, asks for help and offers help when needed, applies feedback to improve performance, monitors own work to ensure quality and accuracy, meets productivity standards, ability to multi-task, organizes work, completes work in timely manner, checks and responds to email within 48 hrs., completes billing on time and accurately.
- - - - Displays original thinking and creativity, meets challenges with resourcefulness, works well with students, displays high energy level.
- - - - Observes safety and security procedures, reports unsafe conditions while using equipment and materials properly.
- - - - Adheres to all company policies and procedures.
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- - - - - - - Education equivalent to a high school diploma, continuing education units a plus, and a minimum of one year experience working with children or adults, preferably in related field.
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- - - - - - - Run to safely intervene when a client is eloping or engaging in unsafe behavior. · Stand, sit, stoop, crawl, kneel, and reach to assist clients during daily activities and behavioral interventions. · Push and lift individuals weighing up to 75 pounds when necessary for safety, support, or mobility assistance. · Visually observe, vocally communicate, and hear clearly to monitor client behavior, respond to emergencies, and engage in therapeutic interactions. · Use a computer for documentation, communication, and program planning. · Travel via automobile for transportation of clients and/or community outings with clients.
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- - - - - - - - - - Education equivalent to a high school diploma, continuing education units a plus, and a minimum of one year experience working with children or adults, preferably in related field.
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- - - - - - - - - - Run to safely intervene when a client is eloping or engaging in unsafe behavior. · Stand, sit, stoop, crawl, kneel, and reach to assist clients during daily activities and behavioral interventions. · Push and lift individuals weighing up to 75 pounds when necessary for safety, support, or mobility assistance. · Visually observe, vocally communicate, and hear clearly to monitor client behavior, respond to emergencies, and engage in therapeutic interactions. · Use a computer for documentation, communication, and program planning. · Travel via automobile for transportation of clients and/or community outings with clients.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - Must be at least 18 years old; criminal background check; reference checks; provide a negative TB test; education verification; current driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - Must have reliable means of transportation and willingness to transport students via personal automobile; availability to work a minimum of 30 hours per week; and have access to a computer with knowledge of internet, e-mail and Microsoft Office applications.
