Intensive Special Education Paraprofessional

Title: Intensive Special Education Paraprofessional
Department: Special Education
Assignment: Admin Other 10 month
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Classroom Teacher and Special Education Department Chair
Supervises: Supervises students and gives executive functioning, and     instructional assistance as needed on transportation and in the classroom.
Location: Highland Park High School
Hours:   7:50am - 3:50pm 
Pay: $23/hour

Summary:

The Intensive Special Education Paraprofessional (“ISEP”) is a highly motivated individual who enjoys working with students who have disabilities. The ISEP will participate in activities necessary to maintain classroom integration, transportation support to and from school and to support a student’s IEP in all curricula activities which include classroom, community, vocational, recreational/leisure, and domestic domains as directed.

The ISEP will participate and obtain certification in nonviolent crisis intervention strategies, and participate in training required for assisting students with personal needs (toileting & feeding). 

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Illinois Paraprofessional Educator license required
• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Able to work with high-risk special needs students
• Dependability in attendance and punctuality
• Able to operate tactfully under stress
• Flexibility to change routines 

Essential Functions:  

The criteria indicated below are intended to describe various types of work that may be performed. The exclusion of specific responsibilities does not prohibit them if the work is similar, related, or a logical task of the position. 

• Assist the teacher in the preparation of materials.
• Conduct individual and small group instruction under the direction of the teacher.
• Assist in behavior management under the direction of the teacher.
• Assist in toileting and feeding under the direction of the teacher. This may include the need to physically assist in keeping a student  safe using NVCI strategies.
• The ability to assist students with limited physical mobility.
• Participate in team planning meetings, staffing meetings, and parent conferences as requested by the teacher.
• Participate in in-service programs, professional meetings, and professional development, as requested by the teacher or administrator.
• Supports community and vocational instruction within or outside the school facility not to exceed 80% of their working time.
• Lift students who weigh over 50 pounds.
• Assist in physical restraint of students for the safety of the students and others. This may include the need to physically assist in keeping a student  safe using NVCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) strategies.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, parents, and support personnel to improve services for students.
• Participate and obtain certification in nonviolent crisis intervention strategies
• Participate in training required for assisting students with personal needs (toileting & feeding)
• Perform such other duties and services under the teacher’s direction as may be related to the smooth functioning of District 113

Language Skills

Communicates clearly both in oral and written format with all constituents of the District 113 community. Effectively present information and respond to questions from constituency groups. Apply knowledge of current research and theory in a specific field.  Establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

Mathematical and Technical Skills

Calculate figures, estimates, proportions, percentages, and cost projections.  Apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Strong technology skills, including standard Microsoft Office suite / Google Workspace, financial management, and data analysis. . 

Reasoning Ability

Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Interpret an extensive variety of verbal and written instructions and deal with multiple abstract and concrete variables.

Contacts Outside Your Own Department:

Build positive relationships with constituents of the District 113 community that includes, teachers, school staff, administrative team, Board of Education, guardians, students, and private providers.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, write, type, speak, listen, and taste or smell.
• The employee is regularly required to communicate with staff and others.
• The employee is frequently required to use hands and/or fingers, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls.
• The employee may occasionally be required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach or crawl. The employee must be able to lift students that weigh over 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.
• Specific psychological demands of this job include the ability to remain calm under stress levels associated with job demands, along with constant contact with students, colleagues and the public.

Working Conditions:

• In the work environment, this role is regularly exposed to school or office environmental conditions. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate with regular exposure to loud classrooms, hallways, cafeterias or sports venues. 
• The employee is regularly required to meet deadlines with severe time constraints and interact with the public and staff in addition to meeting multiple demands from several people.  
• The employee is infrequently required to work irregular or extended work hours. Typical working hours are 7:50 a.m.-3:50 p.m. 

Safety:

As a part of the District workforce, this role is responsible for being aware of, modeling and contributing to the maintenance and implementation of all District safety policies and procedures.  The role is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students. 

Required to:

• Use good safety awareness and judgment
• Follow policies
• Report potentially unsafe conditions
• Follow manufacturer safety instructions when using equipment
• Follow agency ergonomic policies and procedures

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.