Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Service Delivery
- Interact with students in a variety of settings to ensure student safety and engagement (e.g., hallways, gen ed / sped classrooms, restrooms, playground, community, arrival / departure, lunchroom)
- Assist with classroom management by maintaining alert attention regarding supervision of students at all times in a variety of settings
- Execute behavioral strategies as identified by the teacher based on ARD documents (e.g., reinforcements, consequences, contingencies, etc.
Intervene using a continuum of behavior intervention strategies, up to and including approved physical restraint when student is in danger of harming themselves others
Implement academic / functional lessons under the guidance and direction of the teacher in a variety of settings (e.g.
large group, small group, or independent practice)
- Routinely collect data on IEP targets and behavior (skill development and mastery) in collaboration with the teacher
- Assist students with personal care services (e.g., personal hygiene, toileting, cleaning, dressing, lifting, positioning, transitioning, and feeding) - may be more than 50% of the work day
- Assist in using adaptive equipment and assistive technology as recommended by related service providers / ARD under the guidance and direction of the teacher, to facilitate learning, communication, mobility, and positioning
- Under the supervision of the nurse and classroom teacher, provide school health services such as G-tube feedings, administering medications, etc.
Compliance
- Record implementation of support and services on approved logs (e.g., inclusive support logs, accommodation logs, etc.)
- Maintain confidentiality with regards to students with disabilities as required by law
- Follow all district, state, and federal guidelines related to serving students with disabilities
Teacher Support
Prepare instructional materials under the guidance and direction of the teacher
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Qualifications
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the above essential duties satisfactorily.
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or abilities, required unless otherwise stated as preferred.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions.
- Minimum of 48 college hours Minimum of 48 college hours or passing score on the Para Professional Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Test
- Texas Educational Aide Certification Texas Educational Aide Certification or required to obtain within 10 days of hire
- De-Escalation / Restraint Certification Obtain within 30 days of hire (district-provided training)
- Proficient in using Windows Operating System as well as Microsoft Office applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Ability to effectively communicate information and ideas both verbally and in writing
Physical Requirements / Working Conditions
The work environment characteristics and physical demands 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. Work is performed in classrooms, offices, work stations and meeting rooms.
The position requires occasional walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting / carrying work related items weighing less than 40 pounds, such as books, papers and presentation materials.
The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms;
and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Attendance at conferences and professional development is required. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions when operating equipment or performing job duties.
May work prolonged or irregular hours and must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.
Additional Information
The employee may be required to work outside 25 percent of the time and may be exposed to the elements and inclement weather.
This position requires lifting and positioning students, controlling certain behavior through hands-on behavior intervention strategies and approved physical restraint strategies.
Para-professionals are expected to intervene with students' behavior, which can include aggression, self-injurious, disruptive, and self-stimulatory behaviors.
The employee may be required to lift up to an adult-size student using a 2-man lift for personal care needs.
- This position is funded by grant funds. This position may be discontinued if grant funds are no longer available.