Position Type:
Support Staff/Paraprofessionals - Special Education
Date Posted:
7/24/2025
Location:
TBD
SUMMARY: Assists the classroom teacher(s) in general daily classroom activities including the planning and facilitating of a learning environment and activities appropriate for special education children to promote intellectual development; social skills development; emotional health and physical development. Assists the teacher in the special education students daily training program including instructional and non-instructional activities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.
- Maintains discretion and loyalty with confidential information.
- Assists in small group pupil instruction; tutors pupils at teacher’s request.
- Assists with set up of classroom and prepares materials for specialized instructional units.
- Handles attendance reports and related clerical functions with the teacher.
- Assists in assembling/hanging materials on bulletin boards and keeping displays current.
- May escort children to and from various rooms.
- Possesses knowledge of the policies of the school district as applicable to the position.
- Reinforces objectives and concepts introduced by the teacher.
- Works with “at risk” students in accomplishing academic success.
- Assists teacher(s) in the management of classrooms, learning centers and student behavior.
- Assists teacher(s) with planning and implementation of lessons.
- Assists teacher(s) with classroom preparation, i.e., copying , filing, laminating, audiovisual, etc.
- Charts and records progress of students.
- Demonstrates ability to be flexible in dealing with staff, students, and parents.
- Demonstrates strong organizational skills.
- Demonstrates the ability to work without direct supervision.
- Assists students with district technology software.
- Maintains effective oral and written communication.
- Assists teacher(s) in keeping students focused and “on task”.
- Maintains a calm demeanor when dealing with a crisis/violent situation.
- Attends Parent/Teacher Conferences.
- Demonstrates initiative creativity with students and their program.
- Understands and is aware of medical needs of students and their problems.
- Assist and follow through with behavior management programs and techniques.
- Feed or help students feed themselves.
- Assists students with toileting or diapering as required.
- Assist with loading and unloading students on the buses.
- Sanitation of room and equipment.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervises students.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 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:
Associates degree or equivalent as required by law. Certificate in Early Childhood Development/Education or equivalent. CPR/First Aid training preferred. General knowledge and understanding of computers preferred. Experience effectively working with children especially physically and /or mentally challenged/ handicapped.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to students, parents, and other employees of the organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to perform basic math computations including rates, ratio, and percents using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to draw and interpret bar graphs.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. Demonstrated ability to use good judgment in making decisions.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Ability to work with physically and/or mentally challenged/ handicapped students. Previous work in child care. The ability to meet multiple demands from several people. Ability to maintain composure under stressful conditions. Must meet the education regulations of the State of Michigan and Federal government. Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to tell where sound is coming from is essential. Ability to perform duties through knowledge of all district requirements and Board of Education policies. Demonstrated ability to deal with confidential information with a high degree of discretion and loyalty. May be required to assist with student personal care such as, but not limited to, eating, drinking, toileting, diapering, etc. May be required to perform procedures such as catherization, feeding tubes, etc. May be required to deal with stressful situations such as physically fragile students, violent seizures, highly emotional behavior such as biting, hitting, kicking, sickness, spitting, object throwing, etc.
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 sit, stand for long periods of time, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl.; and experience repetitive movements.
The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to push 50-100 pounds maximum; pull 40-50 pounds maximum; and carry 40 pounds maximum. Weights may vary depending on students assigned. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision. The position is exposed to infection and injury to a greater risk than the average person. Attendance and punctuality are expectations of the position.
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.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud at a standard acceptable level for this environment. The employee is continuously responsible for the safety, well-being and work output of students.
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