Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Paraprofessional (Essential Skills)
LOCATION: Vinton Elementary School
RATE: $15.40
HOURS: 29 hours per week (Monday-Thursday & select Fridays) 7:45 am-3:45 pm
BENEFITS: PTO

PRIMARY FUNCTION:
Paraprofessionals work directly under the supervision of special education teachers or classroom teacher. All paraprofessionals are responsible to ensure the safety and instruction of students across all activities and locations. Also, paraprofessionals are responsible to maintain complete confidentiality about students and their records.

REPORTS TO:
The Paraprofessional reports directly to the building administrator or their designee.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 48 hours of earned credit or
• Passed the ParaPro assessment (may start without the ParaPro certification at a lower pay rate until the certification has been earned)

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Additional specific duties and responsibilities vary from classroom to classroom. Typical duties assigned to paraprofessionals may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist students with arrival, dismissal, and transportation, including safely assisting students on and off buses, utilizing adaptive equipment, and monitoring student safety during transitions.
• Support students throughout the school day by accompanying and assisting them in classrooms, therapy sessions, specials, cafeteria, playground, restrooms, community-based instruction, and other school activities.
• Provide assistance with activities of daily living, including feeding, toileting, diapering, dressing, handwashing, and personal hygiene while maintaining student dignity, privacy, and confidentiality and following universal precautions.
• Assist students with mobility and positioning, including lifting, transferring, repositioning, ambulation, wheelchair mobility, use of gait trainers, standers, adaptive seating, and other mobility equipment in accordance with student plans and therapist recommendations.
• Implement instructional activities with individual students and small groups using lesson plans, accommodations, modifications, and instructional strategies developed by the classroom teacher and related service providers.
• Reinforce academic, functional, communication, daily living, and vocational skills using instructional methods established by teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, behavior specialists, and other educational professionals.
• Support students in the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, communication devices, visual supports, sign language, picture exchange systems, and other communication strategies to promote independence and participation.
• Assist students during meals and snacks by implementing prescribed feeding procedures, monitoring student safety, encouraging independence, and following individualized feeding plans as directed.
• Promote the development of social, emotional, behavioral, and self-regulation skills by modeling appropriate interactions, facilitating peer relationships, reinforcing positive behaviors, and implementing behavior intervention plans.
• Implement behavior support strategies consistently under the direction of the classroom teacher and behavior specialists, including crisis prevention and intervention techniques when appropriately trained.
• Support students in developing independence with functional life skills, self-care routines, classroom responsibilities, transitions, and age-appropriate decision-making.
• Assist with functional assessments and collect observational data regarding student performance, behavior, communication, and progress toward IEP goals as directed by the teacher.
• Prepare, organize, and adapt instructional materials, manipulatives, visual schedules, communication supports, and classroom resources to meet individual student needs.
• Set up, operate, clean, and maintain classroom equipment, assistive technology devices, adaptive equipment, sensory materials, and learning centers.
• Assist with implementing individualized education programs (IEPs) and therapy recommendations under the supervision of licensed staff.
• Supervise students during classroom activities, recess, lunch, field trips, therapy sessions, emergency drills, and other school activities while maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment.
• Observe, document, and communicate student progress, behaviors, health concerns, and other relevant information to the classroom teacher and appropriate staff.
• Maintain accurate records, including attendance, instructional data, behavior documentation, communication logs, and other records as assigned.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, IEP meetings, and training sessions as requested by the teacher or administration.
• Independently study assigned materials and participate in ongoing professional learning to develop knowledge of specialized instructional practices, disability awareness, assistive technology, communication systems, safety procedures, and classroom best practices.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students and families while complying with FERPA, district policies, and all applicable state and federal regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the classroom teacher, principal, or designee that support the educational program and the unique needs of students in the Essential Skills classroom.