High Needs Paraprofessional

Lewistown Public Schools

Job Description

Job Title: PARAPROFESSIONAL

Classification: HIGH NEEDS PARA EDUCATOR

Reports To: Building Principal and Superintendent

FLSA Status: Classified

Updated: March 2022

SUMMARY - The High Needs Paraprofessional works closely with students within a special needs setting on a regular basis in an effort to provide them with the support they need to be successful at school. A High Needs Paraprofessional typically works in a specialized setting such as our STAR Room or CARES Room - but could also work one-on-one with a student depending upon the student needs and least restrictive environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.

• Assists in presentation of learning materials and instructional exercises in compliance with the student�s IEP.
  
• Monitors and assists students through drills, practice, and study activities following presentation of instructional concepts by instructional personnel.
  
• Listens to students read, reads to students, explains words and meanings, rephrases materials, and provides similar learning examples.
  
• Tutors students individually or in small groups to reinforce and follow up learning activities.
  
• Assists the student(s) in such physical tasks as putting on and taking off outerwear, significant lifting and/or supporting of a mobility-challenged student, moving from room to room, and so on.
  
• Assist with bathrooming, toilet training, or changing students as necessary.
  
• Assists in the management and shaping of student behavior through the use of positive reinforcement strategies.
  
• Assist in maintaining a safe classroom environment, which may include, assisting a student out of the classroom to a calm down area and or physical restraint if student safety or safety of others is in question.
  
• Follows and assists in implementing behavioral plans, including consequences and reinforcement, as necessary.
  
• Assists in the supervision of special education students in the classroom, during activities, trips to the office, on the playground, and in bus duty, as directed.
  
• Assists in maintaining student discipline.
  
• Establishes as fully as possible a supportive and sympathetic relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
  
• Assists instructional personnel with the development of a variety of instructional materials.
  
• Performs general clerical duties for instructional personnel.
  
• Assists in scoring tests; computes and records test scores.
  
• Assists in maintaining a variety of reports and records.
  
• Assists in maintaining a neat, orderly, and attractive learning environment, including designing and displaying bulletin boards.
  
• Serves as a resource person, if and when requested, to the educational support team conferring about one of the students to whom assigned.
  
• Works cooperatively and effectively with staff, supervisors, students, and the public.
  
• Maintains confidentiality of employment and student matters.
  

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and the employee will also perform other duties as assigned by the Special Education Teacher, Building Administrator, or Special Education Director.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Completion of at least two years of study at an institute of higher education; obtain an associate or higher degree or meet a rigorous standard of quality; or
  
• Can demonstrate through a formal state or local academic assessment the knowledge of and ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and math (Certified Paraprofessional Certificate);
  
• Experience working with children in an educational or child-care setting is highly desirable, preferably involving children with special needs.
  
• Knowledge of general concepts of child growth, development, and behavior characteristics in special education programs assigned.
  
• Knowledge of special education goals and objectives. Ability to maintain confidentiality of employment and student matters.
  
• Ability to obtain MANDT certification upon employment in this position.
  

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must maintain good composure in pressure situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside but may be assigned to outside activities. The employee must be able to meet deadlines with severe time constraints. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

MENTAL/MOTOR DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee rarely performs routine work. The employee frequently exercises flexibility (ability to shift from one task to another). Guidance and reinforcement are usually available. The employee frequently works within time constraints and maintains attentiveness intensity. The employee is frequently involved in social interactions which require oral and written communications.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS The work environment has increasingly become technology driven. Lewistown Public Schools expects staff to meet reasonable expectations in the use of computers and other technology.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Employees of Lewistown Public Schools must exhibit acceptable work habits and perform tasks in a professional manner by adhering to the following guidelines: Maintain proper grooming and dress consistent with the type of task being performed; be regular in attendance and punctual for work; initiate tasks in a manner and perform work with a minimum of supervision; organize work and manage time to achieve efficiency and high quality of work; perform tasks neatly and accurately in accordance with desired quality and quantity; provide positive feedback to supervisor(s) for implementing ideas which will make the work assigned more effective and efficient; maintain self control and a friendly, outgoing disposition; and maintain confidentiality of related work matters as applicable.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment with the Lewistown Public Schools. Employees of Lewistown Public Schools must submit to a fingerprint criminal background check. Any appointment will be contingent upon the results of the criminal background report received from the Department of Justice, which must be acceptable to the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion.

EVALUATION Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Classified Personnel.

For those classified employees employed under a written contract for a specified term, nothing contained in this job description shall create a property right beyond the specified duration of the employment contract.