Special Education Para Educator

Wages

$18.93;
New hires receive $14.93/hr current employees in the bargaining unit should refer to the applicable salary schedule. This special education position receives a $4.00 special education differential.

• Provide research‑based social skills instruction and intervention under the supervision of a certified teacher.
• Attend any additional required evening trainings, meetings, or field trips during the school year or summer.
• Accept feedback from specialists and the special education facilitator, using it to improve instruction.
• Follow directives of the classroom teacher, building administration, and district administration.
• Work with students who exhibit explosive, physical, or verbal aggression.
• Serve students with learning, behavior, physical, and/or cognitive disabilities, including those diagnosed with Autism and Spectrum Disorder.
• Provide services for special education students as needed in both special and general education settings.
• Under the direction of the special education teacher, offer academic assistance, behavior interventions, and instruction of social skills and daily living skills.
• Attend field trips and other activities with the student as necessary.
• Maintain regular attendance to meet IEP service requirements and ensure delivery of FAPE.
• Analyze situations and respond appropriately.
• Interact appropriately with all students, using a team‑player approach in classrooms, cafeteria, hallway, and other areas.
• Use good people skills to work with students, staff, and the building community.
• Accompany students to and from the bus, restrooms, and for physical education and other activities.
• Supervise students in classroom, lunch/breakfast, building, field trips, and work sites.
• Work individually with one student or a small group as assigned.
• Assist with changing clothes and other hygiene needs.
• Manage the environment and protect students during the school day.
• Follow multiple behavior plans concurrently, implementing changes as directed.
• Initiate activities with students as needed.
• Adapt to changing assignments under the direction of the principal, teacher, or facilitator.
• Demonstrate patience, dependability, and responsibility with students.
• Climb stairs, walk long distances, and navigate the City Bus System as required.
• Follow specific procedures for teaching new skills and conducting accurate data collection and graphing.
• Complete necessary paperwork accurately and timely.
• Maintain flexibility in the day‑to‑day schedule.
• Build rapport with culturally diverse students to help each reach their full potential.
• Support the school’s multi‑tiered system of supports (MTSS) for behavior and academics.
• Sign the vacancy notice acknowledging willingness to perform the duties listed.
• Pass a Medicaid Fraud background check prior to hire and annually thereafter; removal may occur if flagged.
• Perform physical restraint if trained and directed by the principal.
• Respond calmly and respectfully during crises.
• Engage in collaborative planning and team work.
• Lift students, move or push items up to 50 lbs as needed.
• Provide toileting, diapering, hygiene care, or extended standing/sitting as required.
• Ride the bus with students as necessary.
• Model positive attitudes and team cooperation for students.
• Maintain confidentiality, and accept direction from special education teachers.
• Perform other duties assigned by administration.

The employee is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, see, and lift items up to 50 lbs. The role may involve frequent standing or sitting, and requires the ability to supervise students in various weather conditions. Crisis Prevention Intervention strategies, including physical restraint procedures and escorting, are required.

The work environment ranges from quiet to loud, indoors and outdoors, in non‑air‑conditioned rooms. The setting is tobacco‑ and alcohol‑free and fast‑paced, with constant interaction with students, staff, and the public. The employee is responsible for the safety and well‑being of students.

• Ability to work with students experiencing significant academic, behavioral, and social skill difficulties.
• Genuine care and concern for all students, with a willingness to help them succeed.
• Demonstrated ability to follow directives of certified staff.