Candidates who are Blind or Visually Impaired and/or Deaf or Hard of Hearing are encouraged to apply for this position and may be given preference in hiring as federal laws permit. Information related to disability is not required and, if disclosed voluntarily, will be used only in AIDB’s efforts to create opportunities for individuals with exceptionalities. Non-disclosure will not subject any applicant to adverse treatment.
Position: Paraprofessional
Helen Keller School
ABOUT ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND (AIDB)
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is the world’s most comprehensive education, rehabilitation, and service program serving individuals of all ages who are
Deaf, Blind, Deaf Blind, multidisabled, and their families. Founded in 1858, AIDB serves more than 30,000 infants, toddlers, children, adults, and senior citizens with hearing and vision loss throughout Alabama each year. Our services span a lifetime and include five campuses in Talladega, a statewide network of regional centers, Early Intervention services, traditional and nontraditional educational opportunities in residential, day, and outreach settings, and a manufacturing facility known as Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB), the state’s largest employer of adults who are Blind. AIDB’s three K-12 schools — Alabama School for the Blind, Alabama School for the Deaf, and Helen Keller School of Alabama — provide specialized educational services that empower students to achieve their full potential. Our employees are among the organization’s most valuable assets and resources. We share a commitment to leveling the playing field for all. Our mission makes AIDB a
unique place to work.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Our employees are among the organization’s most valuable assets and resources. We share compassion for leveling the playing field for all. Our Mission makes AIDB a unique place to work, and we invite you to be a part of the miracles that happen every day.
A Paraprofessional at the Helen Keller School (HKS) is responsible for providing the highest level of front-line care for our students. Our Paraprofessionals makes effective decisions and solves problems using sound judgement, guided initiative, and teamwork.
ABOUT YOU
The ideal candidate will possess a love for students with multiple disabilities. All students at HKS possess a sensory impairment along with at least one other area of disability. The Helen Keller School is searching for individuals who have a heart for students with more severe special needs and are willing to do whatever is necessary to provide limitless opportunities for our students.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Student Care & Supervision
Direct Assistance: Work one-on-one with students as needed and assist teachers and staff with individual student(s) as assigned.
Specialized Care: Physically assist with the lifting and other needs of assigned wheelchair-bound and/or physically disabled students.
Student Monitoring: Cover supervision of students in ISS (In School Suspension) and/or other locations as needed.
Event Support: Transport and chaperone student(s) to, from, and while on field trips, other school-sponsored events, and trips.
Campus Duties: Perform lunch duty in the office and cafeteria as assigned, both independently and with student(s) as needed.
Transportation Supervision: Perform bus duty as needed, which involves supervision of students in the cafeteria, assisting with ensuring students get on the correct bus, and ensuring medicines are distributed to the bus driver/aide.
Activity Assistance: Assist with extracurricular activities, especially those assigned to the department, as well as Graduation, Baccalaureate, Awards Programs, and other events as assigned.
Instruction & Classroom Support
Instructional Support: Carry out instructional duties under teacher direction with student(s) as needed.
Staff Relief: Fill in for teacher(s) when they are out of the classroom as requested, and fill in for the secretary or other department staff when needed.
Performance & Administration
Administrative Assistance: Assist teachers and staff with reproducing materials, checking papers, recording grades, filing, typing, delivering, copying, laminating, and performing other office duties as needed, especially when not assigned to direct student care.
Communication Skills: Must possess excellent communication skills and maintain professional conduct, tact, and friendliness toward parents and all other non-staff personnel.
Team Collaboration: Work cooperatively as a team with other school personnel to best serve the student(s).
Crisis Management: Address and deal with emergency situations in a calm and logical manner.
Physical & Scheduling Requirements
Operational Flexibility: Must be willing to work a flexible schedule.
Departmental Placement: Paraprofessionals are assigned to a specific department; however, assignments may be adjusted or reassigned by school administration based on the needs of the school.
Physical Stamina: Must be able to lift up to 50lbs., to include pushing, pulling, and bending.
Meetings & Training: Attend departmental meetings, school-wide meetings, in-services, training sessions, and workshops provided.
Sign Language Proficiency: Obtain a sign language proficiency level of survival within the first 12 months and survival plus within the first 24 months of employment according to AIDBs evaluation system.
Upon offer of employment, the applicant must submit to a fingerprint background check at an agency designated and paid by AIDB. This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job goals, qualifications, and responsibilities, and the employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned.
MANDATORY ANNUAL TRAINING:
Medication Training
Behavior Management certification
CPR – every 2 years
Blood Borne Pathogens
Using an AED
Mandatory Reporting – DHR
Policy and Procedure Review
Erin’s Law
Jason Flatt Act
SALARY: $15.32 - $17.75 Scale C1 Rank 27 (High School/GED)
$16.13 - $18.82 Scale C1 Rank 29 (30 semester hours in related field)
$17.40 - $20.37 Scale C1 Rank 32 (60 semester hours in related field)
187 days
BENEFITS: Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Available
Alabama State TRS Retirement
Deferred Compensation Options Available
Paid Time Off
Onsite Daycare
187 Days
Direct deposit required.
Deadline: 6/25/26
The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is the world’s most comprehensive education,
rehabilitation and service program serving individuals of all ages who are deaf, blind, deafblind and
multi-disabled and their families. Founded in 1858, AIDB serves more than 30,000 infants, toddlers,
children, adults and seniors with hearing and vision loss throughout Alabama each year. Our services
literally span a lifetime including five campuses in Talladega, ten regional centers located in
Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Tuscumbia, Opelika
and Decatur with programs that range from early and senior intervention, traditional and
nontraditional education services in residential and outreach settings and a manufacturing facility that
is the state’s largest employer of adults who are blind and deaf.
