Kenowa Hills Public Schools is seeking compassionate, dependable, and student-centered individuals to serve as Special Education Paraprofessionals. These positions support students with disabilities in academic, behavioral, social-emotional, communication, functional, and adaptive skill development throughout the school day.
Paraprofessionals work collaboratively with special education teachers, general education staff, therapists, administrators, and families to create safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where students can thrive. Successful candidates must be flexible, energetic, relationship-focused, and able to respond effectively to the changing needs of students throughout the school day.
Applicants must meet Michigan paraprofessional qualification requirements through one of the following:
Associate's Degree or higher; OR
Minimum of sixty (60) earned college credit hours; OR
Passing score on the ETS ParaPro Assessment.
Applicants who do not meet one of the above requirements are not eligible for employment in this position.
CPI certification required (district training provided if necessary)
Ukeru certification required (district training provided if necessary)
Experience working with Pre-K–12 students preferred
Experience working with students with disabilities, behavioral needs, communication needs, sensory needs, or diverse learning needs preferred
Ability to use age-appropriate language, tone, and instructional practices when working with students
Ability to establish and maintain routines while adapting to changing student needs
Ability to function effectively as a member of an instructional team
Excellent attendance, punctuality, and reliability required
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Ability to support classroom instruction, intervention activities, and student learning
Ability to collect student data, maintain documentation, and complete assigned paperwork accurately
Ability to communicate effectively and develop positive relationships with students, families, and staff
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times
Support implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Assist students academically in individual, small-group, and classroom settings
Support behavior intervention plans, social-emotional learning goals, communication goals, and functional skill development
Provide instructional support during core instruction, intervention periods, specials, lunch, recess, field trips, community-based instruction, assemblies, and school activities
Assist students with transitions throughout the school day
Collect student data and maintain accurate documentation related to IEP goals and objectives
Support implementation of accommodations, modifications, and behavior support plans
Collaborate with teachers, therapists, administrators, transportation staff, and families
Support students exhibiting behavioral, emotional, communication, sensory, or self-regulation challenges
Assist students with toileting, feeding, mobility, positioning, and other personal care needs as assigned
Implement CPI and Ukeru strategies as trained and directed
Participate in field trips, community outings, assemblies, school events, and extracurricular activities as assigned
Support student safety throughout all educational environments
Perform additional duties as assigned
This is an in-person position requiring regular on-site attendance. The essential functions of this position cannot be performed remotely.
This position requires the ability to:
Stand, walk, move quickly, bend, squat, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, sit on the floor, and transition frequently throughout the day
Lift, transfer, reposition, push, pull, and assist students, equipment, and instructional materials weighing up to 50 pounds
Participate actively in classroom activities, playground supervision, recess activities, field trips, specials, community-based instruction, and school events
Walk extended distances inside and outside district facilities
Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions throughout the school year
Maintain active visual supervision of students across classrooms, playgrounds, cafeterias, hallways, buses, and community settings
Move quickly and respond immediately to student safety concerns, emergencies, elopement attempts, medical situations, or behavioral incidents
Support students who may engage in aggression, emotional dysregulation, self-injurious behavior, property destruction, unsafe behaviors, or attempts to leave assigned areas
Safely implement CPI and Ukeru strategies as trained
Assist students with physical needs, mobility needs, positioning needs, and activities of daily living
Frequently utilize computers, communication systems, instructional technology, and student data systems
Communicate effectively with students, staff, families, and community partners
The work environment may include frequent movement, moderate to high noise levels, changing student needs, crisis situations, and unpredictable student behaviors requiring sound judgment, flexibility, patience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
Pursuant to PA 131, the selected candidate must receive clearance from the Michigan State Police Department prior to employment through Livescan fingerprinting. The candidate is responsible for the fingerprinting background check fee.
Kenowa Hills Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), age, disability, height, weight, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status in its educational programs, services, activities, or employment practices.
Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies should be directed to the Director of Human Resources, Kenowa Hills Public Schools, 2325 Four Mile Road NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544, 616-784-2511.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process are encouraged to contact Human Resources.
