MUSCATINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
JOB REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS
POSITION TITLE: Special Education Paraeducator
EMPLOYEE UNIT: Clerical/Secretarial/Aide/Paraeducator Unit
FUNCTIONAL AREA: Support Staff
REPORT TO: Principal; Special Education Teacher
STATUS: Hourly Nine (9) month position
FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt
Normal Work Day:
The schedule of a Special Education Para is based upon both the number of students, the Individual Education Program (IEP) of each of the students, and the need of the students. These positions may begin/end with very little notice. The District sets the total paid hours for each position based on the recommendation of the Director of Teaching and Learning.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
May be required to be certified to administer medication. Required to take Chapter 103 Training __ Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training (includes preventative strategies, de-escalation skills, and communication techniques) which will be provided through internal training. May receive other training(s) as required.
OBJECTIVE:
Assist classroom teacher in helping students to increase their academic and behavioral goals, and social skills.
MAJOR DUTIES:
Under direction of professional staff, supervise and assist students, individually or in group settings as follows:
- Responsible for students with academic, social and emotional needs
- May include working one to one with student to complete assigned tasks
- Ability to support data collection systems under teacher directions
- May need to assist in the restroom or with personal hygiene
- Regular attendance to ensure consistency with students
- Other duties as may be assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Qualified candidates will hold a high school diploma or GED in addition to one or more of the following: two years of study at an institution of higher education; an associate's (or higher) degree; a voluntary certification course offered through the Board of Educational Examiners (ex: paraeducator certification). Candidates who have a high school diploma or GED but do not meet the additional qualifications will be required to complete a standardized assessment, prior to being hired as a regular employee, demonstrating their abilities in reading, writing, and mathematics.
- While all positions allow the employee to start in a position prior to receiving certain training there are some that cannot be performed well until after being trained. In all cases if the employee does not take the training when it is offered they are no longer eligible to hold the position.
- Some positions require a valid driver's license, as the major focus of the position is community mobility and will require the employee to use his/her own car.
- The employee must have the physical capacity to assist the physically challenged student including lifting the student as required.
LOCATION: As assigned
Knowledge skills and abilities required to carry out the job satisfactorily.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Computer proficient in skill level appropriate software
- Experience working with challenged students
- Self-starter and able to help student become more self-sufficient and/or successful in classes
- Physically able to help students
- Capable of small group drill-work, remediation or one on one tutoring
- Proficient in student's equipment included but not limited to the computer, wheel chair, health, mobilizer, immobilizer
- Building and school bus safety procedures
- Building and school alarm systems
- Must genuinely like children and enjoy working with young people
- Must not get upset by occasional bad language, threat of physical violence or personal habits of student
- Possess patience so you do not get easily discouraged
- Willingness to assume responsibility
- Help students to become one of the class
- Human relations skills and good interpersonal skills
- May participate in home visit accompanied by the teacher
- Confidentiality of all information is critical
- Ability to work well with others
AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT STATEMENT:
The information contained in this job description is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Employee must be capable of working under stress with large numbers of students, parents and co-workers. Lack of mobility may limit assignment(s). Mental acuity is required and mental and physical ability to manage workload is essential.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and forward 0 to 24 inches and on occasion up to 36 inches. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk more than the average person while performing the duties of this job. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 0 to 12 feet and occasionally up to 20 feet, such as curriculum materials, desks, chairs, and boxes. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus while supervising students and working with computers, written materials, reports, assessment data, etc.
WORKING 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.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. workday. The employee will frequently work in different areas of the classroom including in/at desks, on or near the floor, standing, in movement while supervising indoor and outdoor activities, etc. The employee will usually work in indoor temperatures but will work outdoors when supervising students outside of the classroom.
It is the policy of the Muscatine Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status in its employment practices. For assistance or consultation contact the Director of Human Resources. The Muscatine Community School District is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.
The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibilities, essential functions, physical requirements, and working conditions of the Special Education Paraeducator position, but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive list. An employee serving in the Special Education Paraeducator position may perform other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts the District’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the Special Education Paraeducator position at any time.
EVALUATION: Principal shall evaluate no less than once annually with input from the teacher. |