Paraprofessional, special education (multiple positions for 2021-2022 school year)

POLSON SCHOOL DISTRICT

JOB POSTING NOTIFICATION

Date of Posting:       May 19, 2021

Closing Date:          Open until filled (application screening to begin on or around August 13, 2021)

Position Title:          Paraprofessional, special education (multiple positions for 2021-2022 school year)

Starting Wage:        Paraprofessional II: $12.94 (bachelor’s degree)

                               Paraprofessional I:  $11.63

Job Site:                  To be determined

Apply to:       Complete application submitted through Talent Ed applicant tracking platform: https://polson.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

Application Material:

• Completed Polson School District Classified Staff Application utilizing the TalentEd application tracking platform

(https://polson.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx)

• Successful Fingerprint Background Check

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Salary, benefits and other working conditions are determined by the negotiated agreement between the Polson School District and the PCEA.  The work day is established by the Board of Trustees and may increase or decrease in hours dependent upon the needs of the district.  Dependent upon the number of hours assigned, the employee may or may not be eligible for insurance benefits.

Non-Discrimination Disclosure:  The Polson School District Board of trustees does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, or disability in employment, educational programs or activities.

*If you are currently employed as a classified employee with the District and you are interested in a transfer to this position, please submit a resume and letter of interest to the Human Resource Department, Polson School District.

POLSON SCHOOL DISTRICT #23

Job Description

Paraprofessional I and II

REPORTS TO:  Supervising Teacher, Principal, and Director of Special Services

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Demonstrate punctuality and regular, consistent attendance.
• Demonstrate standards of professional and ethical conduct
• Demonstrate an awareness of and respect for social, cultural, linguistic, religious, economic, and ability differences in students and their families.
• Assist teachers and other professionals in protecting the civil, legal, and human rights of children, youth and their parents.
• Maintain strict confidentiality with student and student’s family information
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, students, parents, and community
• Demonstrate understanding, patience and caring toward at-risk children and children with special needs
• Model and teach self-responsibility
• Use age-appropriate language, tone of voice, and reinforcement procedures
• Assist teachers and other professionals with adapting and using learning materials and equipment to meet the needs of individuals with different ability levels, learning styles, or language backgrounds.
• Follow directions of supervising teacher
• Assist in presentation of learning materials and instructional exercises in compliance with the student’s IEP
• Tutor and or assist students individually or in small groups through drills, practice, and study activities following presentation of instructional concepts by instructional personnel
• Assist students in their personal hygiene which may include toileting and feeding
• Assist in supervision of students in the classroom, on study trip activities, on the playground, in the lunchroom and in bus duty
• Assist in managing student discipline through use of positive reinforcement strategies
• Assist in maintaining a neat, orderly, and attractive learning environment, including, but not limited to designing and displaying bulletin boards and other student work
• Assist in parent conferences if requested by supervising teacher
• Use and apply technology when working with students
• Assist in scoring tests; computes and records test scores as directed
• Perform clerical work and assist in maintaining a variety of reports and records, including but not limited to IEP documents, Medicaid billing forms, grades, assignments, etc.
• Participate in in-service and training, both required and as agreed upon by paraprofessional and professional staff
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Effectively manage time and tasks that may sometimes have severe time constraints

EXPECTATIONS:

• Follow directions of supervising teacher and take initiative in providing support to students
• Provide short-term coverage for professional and paraprofessional peers
• Knowledge of general concepts of child growth, development, and behavior characteristics of children and youth with special needs and from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
• One year experience (paid or volunteer) working with children in educational or child-care setting highly desirable
• Experience working with special needs children preferred
• Demonstrated ability to handle stressful situations

Only minimum duties are listed.  Other functions may be required or assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma

EQUIPMENT USED:

Position may require training in the following:  Computer, calculator, copier, telephone/voice mail, fax, email, printers, internet, software use, augmentative communication devices, special needs equipment including wheelchairs, lifts, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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, sometimes with severe time constraints. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Duty-free lunch will be provided.

Potential hazards include stairs, dust, drafts, communicable diseases, aggressive students.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit, walk, and stand; twist at neck, bend at waist; kneel; reach.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  The employee is required to be able to hear conversations in quiet environments.  May be required to lift or move up to 25 pounds of equipment/supplies.  May be required to assist in lifting students during hygiene and/or toileting

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.

The physical demands, work-environment characteristics, and mental/motor demands described within this job description 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.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of educational assistant and paraprofessional personnel.

Salary : $13