Position Title:    Special Education Paraprofessional (Special Needs Aides)

Reports To:       Principal/Assistant Principal

Status:             10 month position; Student School Days

Days/Hours:      Monday - Friday; Daily schedule will be set according to student needs (29.5 hours/week)

SUMMARY:

A Special Education Paraprofessional provides academic, social, and/or behavior support to students with special education needs in order to enhance their success within the general education setting.  Support may be provided individually or within small groups.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Support student achievement within the general/special education classroom.
• Assist in the monitoring and implementation of behavior intervention plans.
• Monitor student performance to ensure assignments are being completed correctly and in a timely manner.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with parents and staff within the school building.
• Adapting/modifying classroom materials, per teacher direction, accessible to students with special needs.
• May assist with individual student needs such as navigating the hallways and toileting.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students in the school environment and the community.
• Participates in in-service training programs as approved.
• Regularly, predictable attendance.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily and have the requisite knowledge, skill and/or ability referenced below.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma (or equivalent);  and must meet one of the following requirements:

Requirement must be completed PRIOR to applying for this position. 

• Complete at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (equal to 60 semester hours); or
• Obtain an Associate’s Degree (or higher); or
• Meet a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment:
1. Knowledge of, and the ability to assist in, instructing reading, writing and mathematics or
2. Knowledge of, and the ability to assist in, instructing reading readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.

The State Board of Education has approved the following formal assessments by which a paraprofessional may choose to demonstrate this knowledge:

1. ETS ParaPro Assessment.  A passing score of 460 is required.       OR
2. Michigan Test for Teacher Certification - Basic Skills (MTTC)  [http://www.mttc.nesinc.com/]  A passing score on the Basic Skills Test MTTC is required.        OR
3. SAT (taken on or after March 5, 2016) - Scores on the following sections are required:
• Evidence-based Reading & Writing - 480
• Mathematics - 530     OR
4. ACT (taken between January 1, 1989 and October 1, 2017) -  Scores on the following sections are required:
• Reading - 22
• Combined English/Writing - 22
• Mathematics - 22        OR
5. Michigan Merit Examination (MME) (taken between January 1, 2007 and January 31, 2015) - Scores on the following sections are required:
• Reading - 1108
• Writing - 1129
• Mathematics - 1116    OR
6. WorkKeys (taken before June 1, 2017)  - Scores on the following sections are required:
• Reading for Information (Level 4 minimum),
• Applied Mathematics (Level 4 minimum) and
• Writing (Level 3 minimum) BEFORE June 1, 2017 will still meet the state requirements.  

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written English language;
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence and memos; and
• Ability to work with the general public and students.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Basic computer skills.

QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS:

• Ability to perform duties with awareness of District requirements and Board policies / administrative guidelines;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively, speaking clearly and communicating thoughts succinctly;
• Excellent grammatical, spelling and punctuation skills;
• Ability to react well under pressure, handle and balance multiple demands at one time, work with frequent interruptions and perform duties and tasks at expected levels of professionalism with minimal supervision;
• Proficient in problem solving skills;
• Accurate and detail oriented;
• Ability to portray a professional demeanor in appearance and behavior; and
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, parents, teachers, administration and the school community.

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 coordinate hands, eyes, feet and limbs in performing semi-skilled movements such as operation of a computer keyboard and telephone.  The employee is required to be on his/her feet walking around the classroom and building for several hours at a time. The employee is occasionally required to exert light to medium physical effort in sedentary and light to medium work involving lifting, carrying, pushing, walking, standing, reaching with hands and arms, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling.  Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distant vision and ability to adjust focus.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY:

The work environment characteristics described herein 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 moderately quiet.  The work environment is normally indoors with controlled climate conditions. Occasionally the employee may be required to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position.  The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision. The Howell Public School District retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment.

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.

This position description is not a contract for employment.

Howell Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its educational policies or practices on the basis of religion, race, color, sex, national origin or handicap of any individual. The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.  For more information on this posting or employment opportunities with Howell Public Schools, call (517) 568-6241 or visit www.howellschools.com.