ABOUT CASA PACIFICA
For 30 years, Casa Pacifica has been helping at-risk children, their families, and young adults thrive.
As the largest non-profit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, Casa Pacifica specializes in treating children and young adults who struggle with complex mental health challenges such as emotional dysregulation, self-harm, anxiety, and depression. Our multi-disciplinary staff of highly trained clinicians, psychologists, educators, therapists and mental health workers provide exceptional, evidence-based care to help our youth overcome a wide array of mental health challenges.
Casa Pacifica’s Camarillo, Goleta, and Santa Maria offices work with more than 2,000 at-risk children, families, and young adults annually in outpatient, residential, home, and community-based settings. Our main Camarillo campus, located on 25 acres of beautiful park-like grounds, provides a nurturing and therapeutic environment for youth to overcome challenges, to find hope, and to heal.
We are a diverse and inclusive team providing excellent services to all our surrounding communities. Our team members are empowered to share their identities, ideas, and perspectives. A culture built on diversity, equity and inclusivity is essential to creating a safe and healing environment at Casa Pacifica.
Starting pay is typically between $19.00 and $28.00 hourly; however, starting pay is ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.
SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Classroom Teacher and the Sr. Director of Education/Principal works with and is responsible for assisting in the implementation of the educational program with emphasis on behavior management/intervention and tutorial instruction.
The Para Educator consistently demonstrates respect, integrity, courage, and compassion by carrying out the mission of Casa Pacifica through the effective performance of instructional support duties in the classroom and the supervision of educational assignments in the cottages.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (illustrated by typical activities):
- Administers discipline and sets limits for behavior as necessary
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Aids each child working in a group and in handling individual problems
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Assists in maintaining assigned books and other classroom/educational equipment; teaches clients respect for and care of personal and Casa Pacifica property
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Assists in running goal setting meetings; pre and post-activity meetings; wrap-up meetings and problem-solving meetings
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Assists in supervising adjunctive classes such as physical education and computers
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Assists in the preparation and maintenance of assigned records, files and reports
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Assists students during non-classroom time - before and after school as well as recesses and lunch time
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Assures for adequate supervision and control of off-campus activities
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Confers with parents on progress of students, under direction of Special Education Teacher
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Discusses assignments with classroom teacher to coordinate instructional efforts and integrate program development
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Escorts adolescents to designated activities
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Instructs students to improve sensory-motor and perceptual-motor development, perception, memory, language, cognition and social and emotional development
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Maintains confidentiality in all matters within the organization with respect to personnel, operations and clients
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May participate in SAFE-approved interventions with children, as necessary
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Meets regularly with cottage supervisor concerning client and program problems and progress
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Monitors the adequacy of classroom instructional supplies; order supplies as necessary
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Participates in staff training programs as required
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Plans, prepares and develops various teaching aides such as bibliographies, charts and graphs
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Prepares lesson outlines and plans in assigned area and submits outlines to teacher for review
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Prepares, administers and grades examinations
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Presents subject matter to students, utilizing variety of methods and techniques such as lectures, discussions and supervised role playing
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Provides additional child management services and assistance as necessary and appropriate, and/or as directed
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Provides direct supervision of students and the on-going assessment of the child
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Records observations on classroom day notes; completes incident reports as necessary; assists in the preparation and maintenance of assigned records, files and reports
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Reviews and becomes familiar with approved individual educational treatment plans and programs for clients assigned to classroom
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Supervises, protects and cares for the adolescents individually and in groups
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Tutors individual children
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Works with students/residents to increase motivation, provide consistent reinforcement to learning, continuous assessment of level of functioning and continuous feedback for all learning activities
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May perform other duties as assigned from time to time
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: 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 the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in relevant field; or, passing Instructional Aide Proficiency Test with 80% mastery and one-year related experience working with severely emotionally disturbed children/ adolescents and or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Bilingual preferred.
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Must have aptitude to deal with severely emotionally disturbed adolescents in a residential setting
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Must have good working understanding of child and adolescent development, behavior management and group process
Valid California Driver's License, California vehicle registration & vehicle insurance with excellent driving record.
Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arm (i.e., restraining); stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear; and taste and smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, 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 functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work occasionally in outside weather conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
WHAT WE OFFER
Casa Pacifica strongly believes in providing our employees with a comprehensive and competitive total benefits package that will support them across the many needs that arise in life. In addition to the salary information listed above, employees within this position will also be eligible for the following:
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Comprehensive Benefits package,
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401k auto enrollment at 3% with up to 5% fully vested employer matching contributions made after first year of service
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9 paid holidays
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Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance options
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Flexible Spending and Dependent care programs
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Excellent Training opportunities – including opportunities for CEUs
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Education/Tuition Assistance programs
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Group Discount Pet Insurance
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Aflac Hospital, Critical Illness, Accidental & Dental supplemental plan options
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
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Free Confidential Crisis Line 24/7, 365 days a year
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4 face-to-face or telephonic sessions per issue, i.e.,
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Stress, Anxiety, Depression
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Life transitions
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Grief and Loss
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Divorce
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Conflict Resolution
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Substance Abuse
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Work-Life Counseling
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Free Legal and Financial Consultations
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Identity Theft Recovery Services
Casa Pacifica is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. All applicants will be given full consideration under state, local, and federal law.
