EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AIDE (FT) (Para-Educator)
Full-Time, 7 hours per day, 180 days per year
PURPOSE
To support students with IEPs in the special education and general education environments. To monitor and implement behavior support plans.
QUALIFICATIONS
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Graduation from High School.
Experience working with school-age children preferred.
Minimum competencies in academic standards.
Receipt of current, favorable clearances including: Pennsylvania State Criminal History (Act 34), Federal Criminal History (FBI – Fingerprinting - Act 114), Pennsylvania Child Abuse (Act 151), and Sexual Misconduct and Abuse Disclosures (Act 168).
GENERAL
Possess the ability to work cooperatively with others.
Maturity and the ability to deal effectively with students and staff.
Self-motivated with the ability to work independently within the limits of assigned responsibilities.
Understands the importance of and can practice confidentiality.
Comfortable with following specific rules and regulations as they apply to the discipline procedures of the building.
Demonstration of sensitivity to the individual needs of students.
REPORTABILITY
Reportable to the Building Principals, Classroom Teacher, and Special Education Supervisor and Director of Pupil Services.
EVALUATION
Completed by the Building Principals / Special Education Supervisor.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assist with planning and implementing individual and group strategies for individual student success in academic and behavioral areas.
2. Assist in maintaining up-to-date records on each child, describing strategies for each child’s program.
3. Participate in the development and implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) as appropriate.
4. Assist in working closely with the teachers to continually modify the program to meet individual student needs.
5. Assist in classroom activities such as listening to students read, monitoring work sessions, collecting and returning assignments from other classes, etc.
6. Assist teachers in the evaluation of student performance.
7. Act as liaison between the general and special education teacher to provide immediate feedback relative to student performance
8. To work with student assigned to a general education class and assist the general education teacher with adaptations as assigned by the special education teacher
9. Monitor student Behavioral Support Plans and provide appropriate reinforcement when needed
10. Assist in supervising students with special needs in less structured environments such as hallways, cafeteria, bus loading area, etc.
11. Perform such other duties as assigned by the teacher, special education supervisor, and/or building administrator
12. Maintain Highly Qualified status, including 20 hours of professional development annually, as determined by Pennsylvania regulations for para-professionals working with students with an identified disability.
Physical Demands
Occasional driving to school district offices, classrooms, and regional offices
Frequent walking throughout various buildings, including climbing up and down stairs
Often sitting at desk for extended periods
Standing for limited periods of time
Moderate lifting from 15 to 30 pounds
Some carrying – up to 30 pounds
Manual dexterity to use office equipment
Repetitive movement of fingers and hands for keyboarding
Sensory Abilities
Visual acuity to read correspondences, computer screen
Auditory acuity to be able to use telephones
Ability to speak clearly and distinctly
Work Environment
Generally, classroom/office setting
Temperament
Ability to work as a member of a team
Must be courteous and able to effectively communicate with students and staff
Must be cooperative, congenial and service-oriented, and promote these qualities in the department
Ability to work in an environment with frequent interruptions
Cognitive Ability
Ability to follow written and verbal directions
Ability to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision
Ability to read, write and do complex computations
Ability to use correct grammar, sentence structure and spelling
Ability to compose clear, concise sentences and paragraphs
Ability to organize classroom setting to efficiently accomplish tasks
Ability to work independently, exercise appropriate initiative, and make work-related decisions
Ability to exercise good judgment in prioritizing tasks and work efficiently on those tasks
Ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels
Note: All abilities above must be at a professional level, as expected from the required educational level of the job and the previous experience required.
Specific Skills
Ability to operate office equipment
Ability to use computer technology efficiently and learn new technology implemented by the District
Must recognize and appropriately handle confidential information
Ability to use AV equipment (overheads, projectors, video equipment)
Ability to perform tasks as assigned
License
Valid Driver’s License
Comments
Position holder must have a friendly, helpful, caring personality
The position specification described here are the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned.
