DLC PARAPROFESSIONAL (Itinerant)

Special Education Department (District Wide)

The job of DLC paraprofessional is done for the purpose of assisting in the supervision and instruction of students, monitoring students in a variety of different settings (classroom, playground, cafeteria, library, bus loading, field trips, etc.) and providing general support to the assigned certificated teacher(s).

This position will work closely with the Director of Special Education to support classrooms throughout the district where support is needed.  The position will be based at the Innovation Center in the Special Education Department but will deployed to different schools in the district to fill-in for absences or where extra temporary support is needed.  

This position requires;

• Adaptability
• Open mindedness
• Confidence
• Patience
• Ability to balance and follow directions from multiple staff
• Ability to make quick decisions
• Flexible thinking
• Calm under pressure
• Willingness to grow professionally
• Respectful of cultures/diversity
• Self motivation
• Making student-centered decisions
• Building stduent independence
• Keeping appropriate staff informed of student progress or concerns
• Keeping meaningful data
• Keeping appropriate boundaries with students, staff and parents

It is prefered that applicants have;

• Experience with de-escalation
• Expereience with multiple programs or students
• Good judgement
• Strong work ethic
• Willingesss to help other Paraprofessionals support student programs

Bilingual Preferred

Directly Responsible to:  Director of Special Education

Job Requirements:  Minimum Qualifications

The ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act requires that all Washington State Paraprofessionals MUST have a High School Diploma or GED and at least ONE of the following requirements:

• 2 year post-secondary degree or more
• 72 quarter credits at a post-secondary school
• Passed ETS Paraprofessional Assessment

Essential Functions

• Assist students individually or in small groups in a variety of learning activities assigned by the teacher for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts and reaching their academic goals and potential.
• Follows a structured teaching and learning plan.
• Carries out direct instruction tutoring. 
• Assists students in their understanding of whole group instruction.
• Guides independent work.
• Provides students with practice on identified skills areas.    
• Incorporates IEP requirements within students’ daily lesson plans as directed by the teacher. 
• Maintains records and charts indicating students’ progress.
• Informs classroom teacher of students’ progress.
• Maintains classroom equipment, work areas, students files/records (e.g. adapting instructional materials, cleaning work area, taking attendance, checking homework, grading papers, audio visual equipments, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and/or providing reliable information.
• Assists teacher in monitoring student behavior and disciplines students as authorized.
• Monitors individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. classroom, playground, cafeteria, library, halls, to/from bus, field trips, in-house detention, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Teaches and reinforces appropriate behavior with students. 
• Restrains students from harming themselves or others. 
• Performs record keeping and clerical functions (copying, laminating, correcting papers, phone calls, scheduling activities, etc.) for the purpose of supporting the teacher and/or in providing necessary records/materials.
• May be required to provide detailed one-to-one assistance with changing, diapering, personal hygiene, etc.
• May be required to assist students with feeding and administer tube feeding. 
• Mainstreams students in general education settings as requested.
• Serves as the chief source of information and help to substitute teachers with assigned students. 
• Attends meetings and trainings as requested.
• Fulfills other related duties as assigned. 
• Certified in Right Response De-Escalation/Restraint or similar program.

 Other Functions

• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality.
• Utilizes reasonable and professional judgment.
• Observes and utilizes professional medical/safety precautions to include positioning children in a safe and secure manner in adaptive equipment and transferring orthopedically disabled children to and from different equipment including toilets. 
• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.
• Bilingual Preferred

 Working Relationships

Communicates regularly with students, parents/guardians, and teaching staff.  Required to deal with a wide range of student behaviors; required to deal with a wide range of physical and emotional disabilities; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students. 

Working Conditions

The daily work is performed in a classroom setting.  May be required to work outdoors in inclement weather; participate in daily physical education classes; take several brisk walks per day; lift, move, and position students and equipment; supervise the playground, bus loading/unloading; attend to students’ personal hygiene; may be exposed to biting, spitting, and hitting behavior; may need to take precautions to avoid exposure to student bodily fluids and cleaning or disinfecting compounds; required to work in non-routine positions for extended periods. 

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.  Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: tutoring individual and/or groups of students; following a structured teaching and learning plan; operating standard office equipment and maintaining accurate records.

KNOWLEDGE is required to assure proper conduct of students; maintain record keeping systems, utilize technology equipment; perform high school level math, read a variety of manuals;  present information to others; understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.  Specific knowledge required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job includes: concepts of grammar and punctuation; stages of child development and learning styles.

ABILITY is required to identify and adjust to individual student’s needs; be innovative and improvise to meet changing situations; understand and communicate effectively; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; be flexible to accommodate changing schedules; ability to squat, bend, and walk without limitations; schedule activities; collate data, and use basic, job-related equipment.  Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; operate equipment using standardized methods; work with a wide diversity of individuals; Specific abilities required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; and working as part of a team.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized routines; providing information and/or advising others; and operating within a defined budget. 

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting (able to lift 50 pounds and assisting in lifting over 50 pounds), carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity.  Generally the job requires 34% sitting, 33% walking, and 33% standing.  The job related is performed under a generally hazard free environment and in a clean atmosphere.

Experience  

Job related experience is desired.  Previous experience working with students who have autism is preferred.

Continuing Education/Training 

CPR Certificate and First Aid Certificate may be required

Healthcare Benefits (SEBB): (All Employees who work 630 hours per school year are eligible.)

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability

Additional Benefits:

• Washington State Retirement (PERS, SERS & TERS)
• Paid Leave:

  - Paid Holiday

  - Sick Leave

  - Personal Leave

  - Vacation (260-day employees only)

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Work Schedule

7 hours per day.  180 days per year.