Position Goal:  Special Education Paraprofessionals work under the supervision of a special education teacher and the Director of Student Services to provide care and support in a safe and appropriate manner while focusing on each student’s academic success in meeting their individual goals. There are no supervisory duties over other staff assigned to this position.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities of this position.

• High School Diploma or GED required

• An Associate’s degree or higher OR completed two years of study (equaling 60 or more credit hours) from an accredited institution of higher education OR obtained a passing score on one of the Arizona Department of Education paraprofessional approved assessments required

• General computer skills

• Ability to grasp and convey subject knowledge (reading, math, science, etc.) as needed for position

• Ability to read and follow directions

• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding individual students’ situations

• Ability to provide student assistance during emergency evacuations

• Ability and willingness to attend professional development and implement crisis prevention techniques including, but not limited to safe student restraint

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

1. Support the Mission, Vision and goals of J.O. Combs Unified School District

2. Provide academic and/or behavioral support based on the identified student needs under the supervision of the special education teacher

3. Assist teachers in special education and general education or therapists with support during instructional lessons  or therapy sessions

4. Work collaboratively with the special education teacher, administration, general education teachers, parents, therapists and students to implement the goals and accommodations/modifications specified in each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

5. Assist students in the use of alternative and/or augmentative communication or other assistive technology devices.

6. Accompany students from one location to another (in classrooms and on campus)

7. Maintain CPR and first aid certifications

8. Maintain Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) certification and be willing to perform physical restraint of student for safety as needed

9. Collect data on student’s IEP goals in collaboration with the special education and/or general education teacher, using a variety of data collection techniques to monitor student growth and progress

10. Participate in school professional learning community as appropriate to assist in problem solving for students growth

11. Attend all required professional development and staff/campus meetings

12. Assist education staff with other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to move about the classroom and campus and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to feel objects, tools, controls and to reach with hands and arms, bend stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. The employee may have to safely physically restrain a student from hurting self or others.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities.

Duties may require an employee to be exposed to outside weather conditions including extreme heat or cold, wind and rain. High humidity and/or dusty conditions may also be present.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Salary Schedule: Support Staff Initial Salary Placement Range 103

Benefits: As per District policy

Evaluation: Annual

Contract: 190 Days, 9 months                                                             

Hours: 30-35 weekly

Reports To: Principal, Teacher, or Program Specialist        

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age or sexual orientation in admission and access to its programs, services, activities, or in any aspect of their operations and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. The following employees have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Compliance Officer for Title IX , Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, 43371 N Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5318 and Compliance Officer for Section 504/ADA, Director of Student Services, 43371 N Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300

J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 no discrimina en base a la raza, el color, la religión, el origen nacional, el sexo, la discapacidad, la edad, o la orientación sexual para la admisión y su acceso a sus programas, servicios, actividades, o en cualquier aspecto de sus operaciones y proporciona un acceso igualitario a los Boys Scouts y otro grupos de jóvenes designados. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 tampoco discrimina en sus prácticas de empleo y contratación. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para manejar las preguntas en cuanto a las polízas de no discriminación: Funcionario de Cumplimiento de Título IX, Asistente Superintendente, 43371 N Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5318 and Funcionario de Cumplimiento para la Sección 504/ADA, Director de Servicios Estudiantiles, 43371 N Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.