Severe Needs SPED Paraprofessional
7.5-8 hrs/day (depending on assignment)
145 days per school year
Starting wage $20/hr
Position Purpose The One-on-One Paraprofessional for a Student with Severe and Profound Needs is responsible for providing individualized support and assistance to a student with significant disabilities. This position requires a high level of compassion, patience, and adaptability to ensure the student's well-being and development in all aspects of their daily life.
Essential Job Functions
- Personalized Care: Provide one-on-one support to the student, assisting with personal care tasks such as feeding, mobility, and ensuring their comfort and safety at all times.
- Daily Living Skills: Assist the student in developing and practicing essential life skills, including communication, self-help, and social interaction.
- Academic Support: Collaborate with teachers and educational specialists to adapt curriculum materials and activities to the student's abilities and learning style, ensuring access to meaningful educational experiences.
- Behavior Management: Implement behavior support plans and strategies to address challenging behaviors and promote positive social interactions, using positive reinforcement and de-escalation techniques as needed.
- Physical Therapy: Support the implementation of physical therapy exercises and interventions prescribed by the student's therapist, ensuring proper technique and safety during activities.
- Occupational Therapy: Assist with the implementation of occupational therapy goals and activities designed to improve the student's fine motor skills, sensory integration, and daily functioning.
- Communication Support: Facilitate communication between the student and others using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, picture communication systems, or other assistive technology tools.
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Implementation: Collaborate with the educational team to implement the student's IEP goals and objectives, documenting progress.
- Personalized Reinforcement: Provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to the student, celebrating achievements and milestones to promote self-confidence and motivation.
- Collaboration and Communication: Maintain open and effective communication with teachers and therapists sharing information and observations to ensure consistency in supporting the student's needs.
- Perform any other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required; additional training or coursework in special education, disability studies, or related fields preferred.
- Demonstrate subject matter competency by:
- Earning an Associate's (or higher) degree; or
- Completing at least two years (48 credit hours) of study at an instituation of higher education; or
- Passing a formal assessment measuring one's knowledge of and ability to assist classroom teachers in reading, writing, and mathematics.
- A minimum of a Colorado 1-year stubstitute teacher authorization.
- Experience working with individuals with severe and profound disabilities, preferably in a school or educational setting. (Preferred)
- Understanding of disability rights, special education laws, and best practices in supporting individuals with complex needs.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with students, families, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
- Patience, empathy, and resilience in working with individuals who may have limited communication or challenging behaviors.
- Willingness to participate in ongoing training and professional development to enhance skills and knowledge in supporting students with severe and profound needs.
Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.
Additional Duties:
- Perform any other related duties as assigned.
Equipment
- Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.
Travel Requirements
- Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, may be required for certain positions.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
- Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
- Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
- Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
- Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
- Effective writing and verbal communication skills.
Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
- Works in standard office and school building environments.
- Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.
- Ability to lift over 50 pounds.
FLSA Status: Non-exempt EOE
OPEN UNTIL FILLED
