STILLWATER AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Position Description
SECTION I: GENERAL INFORMATION
Position Title:
Special Education Paraprofessional
Department / Building:
Various Buildings
Reports to:
Principal
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Band/Grade/Subgrade: A12
Bargaining/Work Unit: Paraprofessional
Position Last Updated: 12/2008
Next Position Description Update: 01/2013
SECTION II: JOB SUMMARY
To assist the teacher in the advancement of the educational experiences of students in an interactive, caring, and supportive
manner. To perform focused roles and responsibilities with one student or a particular student population who are
determined to need more intense support, reinforcement, remediation, and attention.
SECTION III: ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duty/Responsibility No:
1
Percent of Time:
70%
Statement of duty/responsibility: Classroom Support
Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:
- Assists with individual or small group instruction to s upport and reinforce the instructional and experiential plans
established by the teacher.
- Assists in the preparation of instructional, informat ional, and programmatic materials and special projects in the
classroom.
- Confers regularly with the teacher to help monitor stu dent progress, offer observations and suggestions based on
student / staff interactions during the course of day-to-day activities, and receive further direction and work
assignments.
- Assists teacher in monitoring students, maintaining or der and discipline and attending to individual student needs.
- Assists in maintaining neatness and orderliness of classroom environment.
- Performs clerical tasks such as student attendance re ports, maintenance of student records and preparation of
materials for distribution to parents.
- Assists in the planning and supervision of various field trips and other school events.
- Organize, set up and assist students with various computer equipment in a laboratory / media center environment to
help ensure their understanding and success with individual and group projects.
- Monitors passage of students in the hallways, and other ar eas, and as they load/unload busses to ensure the safety
of all students.
Duty/Responsibility No:
2
Percent of Time:
25%
Statement of duty/responsibility: High Needs Student Support
Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:
- Assists the teaching staff in meeting the needs of stu dents with disabilities as defined by the state and federal
statues.
- Participates in or provides input for parent and staff meetings when requested.
- Toilets or diapers students when requested or assist s with self help skills (feeding, dressing, toileting).
- Assists students with mobility problems (lifting, moving students).
- Familiar with the special education needs, goals, and objectives of each student.
- Accompanies students to specialists.
Duty/Responsibility No:
3
Percent of Time:
5%
Statement of duty/responsibility: Special Projects
Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:
- Performs other job-related duties as requested or assigned.
SECTION IV: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Basic knowledge of reading, writing and math co ncepts sufficient to assist assigned students.
- Ability to work purposefully, confidently and independent ly within authority and responsibility parameters of the
position with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated listening skills.
- Ability and willingness to collaborate and cooperate with other staff in accomplishing the goals of the school program.
- Knowledge and ability to maintain a good working knowledge of the site, area(s) and student population(s) to which
assigned.
- Ability to develop and maintains effective workin g relationships with students, staff and parents.
- Ability to communicate in oral or writt en form in a grammatically correct manner.
- Ability to read and interpret simple directions and comprehend written information.
- Ability to interpret directions and clearly articulate expectations to students.
- Ability to demonstrate caring and warmth for ch ildren and an understanding of children's needs.
- Knowledge of and the ability to incorporate into the job, general concepts covering child and adolescent health and
development.
- Knowledge, skill, and ability to respond calmly and appropriately in emergency situations.
- Knowledge of and compliance with all District policies and procedures applicable to effectively performing this
position as outlined in the job description.
- The knowledge, skill and ability to set up, maintain and ensure the security and confidentiality of data and
information, particularly student related records.
- Understanding of and ability to work effectively with students with disabilities (severely mentally and physically
impaired children) including dealing with seizures, medical emergencies.
SECTION V: EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- High school education or its GED equivalent.
Note: Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
SECTION VI: EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- One year of experience working with childr en in an educational setting is preferred.
Note: Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
SECTION VII: COMPETENCIES AND/OR VALUES COMMON TO ALL POSITIONS
- A clear and demonstrated commitment to the District missi on, which is to ensure high quality, innovative, challenging
education where all learners are valued and respected.
- Performing assigned responsibilities in a manner consiste nt with the District's established Core Values.
- Advancing the District's mission and values through carefu l attention to the key issues of Learning, Environment and
Resources.
SECTION VIII: PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS
(Indicate according to essential duties/responsibilities):
The physical job requirements described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the
primary functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
primary functions.
Key: N=Never O=Occasionally (1-33%) F=Frequently (34-66%) C=Consistently (67-100%)
Demands Demands Demands
Physical Lifting/Carrying Exposure to Environ. Conditions
Standing O Up to 10 pounds C
Walking O Up to 25 pounds O
Sitting C Up to 50 pounds O
Possible exposure to blood-borne
pathogens through blood and/or body
fluids O
Talking in person/on the phone F Up to 75 pounds N Toxic chemicals N
Pushing/Pulling O Up to 100 pounds N Moving parts N
Hearing F More than 100 pounds N Electrical shock risk N
Feeling, grasping, finger dexterity C Noise Levels Explosives N
Climbing, balancing O Quiet (i.e. private office) F Fumes N
Stooping (bend at waist) O Extreme cold (non-weather) N Moderate noise (i.e. business office
with typewriters/ printers, light traffic) F Extreme heat (non-weather) N Crouching, crawling, kneeling,
squatting O Varying weather conditions N
Sight Stretching/reaching with hands &
arms O
Loud noise (i.e. many children laughing
& playing, large earth moving
equipment) O
Distinguishing smell N
Vision for close work/ability to adjust
focus O
Distinguishing temperature N
Very loud noise (i.e. jack hammer, front
row rock concert) N Looking at computer monitor F
Traveling by automobile O
Color vision (identify & distinguish
colors) F
Peripheral, depth perception F