Preschool Special Education Instructional Paraprofessional

Salary: paid as instructional paraprofessional at $20.35-$25.50/hour ($29,141-36,516) for 179 days. Salary Placement schedule here.

Excellent Benefits include: 10 days of PTO, Health, Dental, and Vision insurance!  PERA program - District contributes 21.4% monthly on behalf of employee.   FLSA: Non-Exempt position

Supervisor Special Education Teacher, Special Education Coordinator, and/or PreK Director

Start Date ASAP (salary and benefits prorated for later start date)

Summary Job Description

A Special Education Paraprofessional, in collaboration with and under the direction of the Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, provides a variety of emotional, behavioral, and instructional support to students with mild to significant support needs. Employee acts as a teacher resource working directly with students to support instruction, provide accommodations as stated in students' Individual Education Program (IEP), and facilitate learning by engaging with children as they participate in early childhood experiences. This Paraprofessional must work cooperatively and professionally with team members to ensure strong communication as they implement recommended interventions with fidelity. This position is an integral part of creating an environment that will facilitate successful learning for students with special education needs as Lake County School District seeks to provide an equal opportunity for education to all students.

Essential Job Tasks

• Work one-on-one or in small groups with student(s) with special needs, in special education settings and general education settings
• Implement and deliver with fidelity teacher-created lessons for students in accordance with IEP goals
• Interpret instruction and reinforce lessons taught, across settings
• Arrange and secure materials for the day’s activities
• Complete assigned tasks as given by supervisor and/or staff
• Observe and document student performance when requested
• Monitor student progress on goals according to supervisor/teacher direction or IEP when applicable
• Support students on IEPs with accommodations during assessments when applicable

• Accept a teacher’s behavior management system and work within its guidelines
• Reinforce skills taught by the teacher
• Assist teachers in maintaining the classroom environment
• Support students when in crisis using de-escalation strategies (CPI, sensory interventions)
• Maintain a positive attitude, behavior and language towards students at all times
• Provide clear and consistent consequences for inappropriate behavior

• Adhere to all LCSD and Center Program policies and procedures (including, but not limited to, childcare and grant funding guidelines and expectations, attendance, conduct, staff-student relations, confidentiality and professionalism)
• Provide appropriate modeling for students
• Cooperating/collaborating with building staff in order to support student growth
• Supervision of student in less structured environments within 8-hour work limits
• Use time constructively during the work day 
• Participate in professional development that is job related 

Qualifications:

• Applicants must hold a high school diploma or a GED
• Applicants must pass all required background checks and fingerprinting
• Familiarity with students with a variety of disabilities preferred
• Bilingual preferred, but not required
• CPR and First Aid certifications required within six months after hire.  
• Must obtain a physical and TB test within 30 days after hire. 

Preferred characteristics:

• Strong work ethic
• Patient
• Flexible
• Collaborative
• Student-centered
• Compassionate and accepting
• Consistent

DIVERSITY OF DUTIES: Duties require cross training in public relations, record keeping, report writing, and community resources.  Duties extend within the assigned building on a daily basis.

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places due to climbing ladders to store items, and outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and use interpersonal skills.  Frequently required to compare, analyze, copy, coordinate, compute, synthesize, evaluate, compile, and negotiate.  Occasionally required to instruct.