Special Education Paraprofessional; Structured​/Functional

Special Education Paraprofessional (Structured/Functional)

To assist instructional staff in providing a well-organized, smoothly functioning learning environment in which students can take full advantage of the instructional program.

Qualifications:

• Certification:
  Valid Illinois Professional Educator's, Paraprofessional, or Substitute License registered in Lake County
• Education:
  
  High School Diploma or Equivalent and 60 credit hours of college credit
• Experience:
  
  Classroom experience, Spanish-speaking preferred

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced by staff.
• Assists staff in devising and implementing special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities.
• Assists staff in implementing behavioral strategies for individual students as well as assisting with students in crisis.
• Accompanies students to specials mainstreaming and/or exploratory classes for the purposes of facilitating their full participation in these classes under the direction of staff, consistent with the contents of the student's IEP (where applicable).
• Administers, scores, and records achievement and diagnostic tests as staff recommends for individual students.
• Assists with equipment, technology, and augmentative communication devices used with students as listed on IEP or as directed by staff.
• Assists students with completion of instructional assignments, distributes and collects workbooks, papers and other materials for instruction, corrects papers, supervises testing and makeup work, guides independent study, enrichment work and remedial work set up and assigned by staff.
• Checks and records student attendance as necessary, assists in data collection, recording of student performance as requested by staff.
• Assists with the supervision of students throughout the school day, including during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, transitions to other classes, lunch/recess, field trips and community outings.
• As necessary, assists students with daily living skills such as dressing, undressing, lunch, snack, clean-up routines, toileting and washing routines, assists with special equipment such as but not limited to wheel chairs, rifton chairs, standers, walkers, gait belts, etc.
• Alerts staff to any problem or special information about an individual student.
• Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of all employees including functioning as a mandated reporter.
• Assists with students movement throughout the day as directed by special education staff and/or administration.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Technical:
  Competent in digital environments; iPads, Chromebooks databases, spreadsheets, publishing software, Microsoft Office, Google applications etc.
• Interpersonal:
  Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with students, staff, parents, businesses and community. Strong organization, communication and interpersonal skills. Empathetic, humanistic and open-minded. Strong sense of teamwork. Strategic thinker.

District

Core Competencies:

• Supports the establishment of mutual respect and equal human dignity across the entire school community.
• Welcomes and promotes inclusion, equity, and diversity.
• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the success of all students.
• Understands that one's identity may be different from students, parents, and staff. Appreciates those differences for the success of all students.
• Works collaboratively and respectfully with students, parents, staff and community members across diverse identities and backgrounds.
• Anticipates, identifies, and adapts to change in support of continuous improvement.
• Communicates in an approachable, respectful and professional manner.
• Participates in professional development and training to enhance effectiveness.
• Takes initiative, manages multiple priorities, and organizes work efficiently.
• Effectively organizes work to be as productive as possible.

Physical Demands:

• Manual Dexterity:
  Work requires definite skilled and accurate physical operations requiring some closely coordinated performance.
• Physical Effort:
  Work requires handling average weight materials or equipment, but not for sustained periods.
• Working Conditions:
  
  Some exposure to definitely disagreeable elements may exist.

Terms of Employment:

• Work Week:
  Monday through Friday
• Work Year: 176 days
• Salary:
  Minimum of $19.92 per hour with the ability to earn up to an additional $2.10 per hour.

How to Apply:

Internal applicants should apply online at  and attach a resume to the online application. External applicants should apply online at  and attach three letters of recommendations, resume and transcript(s) to the online application. All applicants must be willing to interview in person and demonstrate skills through a situational analysis. Applicants will be contacted…