Life Skills Paraprofessional

Hours: 6.75 hours/day, 180 days/year

Representation: Public School Employees of Kittitas 

Salary: PSE Salary Schedule PSE Salary Schedule 

Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, and Retirement PSE Classified Employee Benefits

Position Description: The Life skills paraeducator assists in the supervision and instruction of students with special education needs who may have significant and complex developmental needs, including providing for special health care needs. The life skills paraeducator will address the academic, social/emotional/behavioral, communication, adaptive, including feeding, toileting, or changing diapers/clothing, gross and fine motor needs, and functional daily living skills across multiple instructional settings. Following plans by certificated staff, data tracking and other record keeping activities are an integral part of the position. 

Essential Job Functions:

1. Assist students with daily living skills such as feeding, toileting, dressing, and hygiene. 
2. Implement individualized education plans (IEPs) under the direction of special education teachers. 
3. Provide academic support in areas such as reading, writing, and math. 
4. Help students develop social skills and appropriate behaviors. 
5. Support communication development, potentially using assistive technology or alternative communication methods. 
6. Work with small groups or one-on-one with students to reinforce lessons or skills taught by the teacher. 
7. Modify instructional materials to meet the individual needs of students. 
8. Assist in implementing behavioral management strategies. 
9. Prepare and organize materials and activities for students. 
10. Support the teacher in developing and adapting curriculum tailored to students' needs. 
11. Monitor and ensure the safety of students at all times. 
12. Assist in maintaining a positive and structured classroom environment. 
13. Help with classroom organization, including setting up and cleaning up after activities. 
14. Support the teacher in managing classroom behavior and implementing positive behavior supports. 
15. Communicate effectively with teachers, therapists, and other staff about student progress and needs. 
16. Participate in team meetings, IEP meetings, and professional development as required. 
17. Keep accurate records of student progress, behaviors, and incidents as required. 
18. Assist in the preparation of reports, data collection, and other documentation related to student performance. 
19. Assist with transferring or positioning students as needed, following proper safety protocols. 
20. Support students during physical education and other activities that require mobility assistance. 
21. Assist students with inclusionary practices across all school settings. 
22. Engage in ongoing training to stay informed about best practices, new techniques, and tools for working with students with disabilities.
23. Demonstrate professionalism through punctuality and minimal absences. 
24. Be a positive and productive team member. 
25. Monitor students in a variety of settings before, during, and after school for general supervision and student safety. 

Other Job Functions:

A.   Performs other related duties as assigned which could include, but not be limited to: riding on a school bus, van, or other vehicle, supporting students loading and unloading from school or family vehicles, assisting students in getting ready for the school day, meal/snack preparation, and activities related to ending the school day for students. 

Qualifications:  

Required Education and Experience

1. High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Training in state core competencies.

Required Skills, Knowledge and or Abilities

1. Perform basic clerical functions; perform basic arithmetic calculations; operate standard office equipment; use English in verbal and written form, including correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.
2. Create effective visual supports, student schedules, and reward systems.
3. Implement instructional techniques effective with students with significant educational needs, necessary modifications to meet those needs, 
4. Provide for special health care needs of students including personal hygiene and toileting/diapering as necessary. 
5. Implement instructional techniques effective with students with significant educational & behavioral needs, necessary modifications to meet those needs. 
6. Understand and carry out oral and written instructions; maintain confidentiality of student records; meeting schedules and deadlines; read/interpret/apply rules, regulations, policies; rapidly learn methods and materials used with students who have significant cognitive and/or physical disabilities. 
7. Maintain alertness at all times, in an effort to anticipate and prevent situations that might be unsafe; anticipate and prevent potential escalation of behavior.  React promptly to maintain students’ safety.
8. Facilitate the development of positive communication and social skills; support participation and learning in instructional settings.
9. Collaborate and communicate effectively among special and general education team members. 
10. Have, or be willing to obtain training in a variety of district instructional expectations such as STAR, Styre-Fitzgerald, Teaching Strategies, etc. 
11. Implement KSD adopted curricula and/or individual student plans consistently and with fidelity.
12. Utilize effective instructional management techniques to facilitate student engagement in learning activities.
13. Use assistive/adaptive technology and methods, including sign language, to support communication and/or adaptive living skills.
14. Understand and use social stories or other non-verbal systems to teach and/or address social or behavior skills.
15. Self-monitor and adjust interactions (including but not limited to physical proximity, vocabulary, volume & tone of voice, sentence length, and use of visual supports) to promote student understanding and success. 
16. Collect student data relevant to individual and/or classroom goals, independently, consistently, and accurately.
17. Maintain high expectations for student learning; promote and maximize independence among all students.
18. Know and use de-escalation strategies regarding student behaviors/emotional/social needs.   When appropriate, use district approved physical restraint techniques, teaming with/supporting others when physical restraint is necessary.
19. Understand and use positive reward systems or other non-punitive behavior support systems.
20. Represent the Kittitas School District in a professional manner when supporting students participating in community or other public settings, through positive communications, social interactions and appearance. 

Other: Must meet the following:

1. completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education; or obtained an associate’s degree ( or higher degree); or pass the Praxis Test. Complete FCS (Fundamental Course Study) Training.
2. meet a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal State or local academic assessment (i) knowledge of , and ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; or (ii) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.
3. Ability and willingness to take training in state core competencies as required.
4. Current First Aid/CPR card

Physical Demands

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following conditions:

• Significant:  (i.e. sitting, talking, hearing, walking, vision, color vision, peripheral/depth perception, ability to adjust focus, grasping, handling paperwork, repetitive motion, use of personal computer, looking at a computer monitor, lifting up to 10 pounds)
• Frequent: (i.e. standing, bending, carrying; use of phone; use of copy machine)
• Occasional:   (i.e. driving, lifting over 10 pounds up to 45 pounds, reaching above the shoulder, use of fax machine) 

Significant - Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Frequent - Occupation requires this activity from 33% to 66% of time (2.5 to 5.5+ hrs/day)

Occasional - Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of time (0 to 2.5+ hrs/day)

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, the scope of responsibilities, and the physical demands, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of the work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.  Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

Kittitas School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  The following employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator: Tim LaGrange, Superintendent (509) 955-3120 tim_lagrange@ksd403.org; Title IX Coordinator: Brady Widner, Athletic Director, (509)955-3140 , brady_widner@ksd403.org; Section 504/ADA Coordinator:  Jenny LaFrenier, Elementary Principal/Special Services, (509) 955-3120, jenny_lafrenier@ksd403.org. Kittitas School District, 601 N Pierce St., PO Box 599, Kittitas, WA 98934