Paraeducator, Kindergarten Candidate Pool

 DESCRIPTION 

Under the general supervision of the principal or assistant principal, and with the direct supervision from a teacher, the Paraeducator provides assistance to students in small groups or in a one-to-one format throughout the school day. Assignments may include working with individuals and/or small groups of students. This person performs clerical work as assigned. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy. 

Education  

• High School Diploma/GED Equivalent (must scan and upload diploma or official transcript to online application). Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization.For a list of approved vendors, please click here. 

Additional Requirements for Title ISchoolwide Program Schools  

• High School Diploma/GED Equivalent and a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment. 

or 

• 48 college credits or more from an accredited college or university. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don’t meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.  

• Experience working with students in a K-12 setting.  

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 

The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.  

• Assists teachers in implementing lesson plans and in preparing instructional materials and learning centers. 

• Works with individual and small groups of students. 

• Prepares bulletin boards. 

• Keeps track of individual student performance. 

• Checks papers. 

• Operates various office machines. 

• Works effectively with students including safely escorting and monitoring transitions throughout the school day and upon arrival and departure in the cafeteria and/or on the playgrounds. 

• Assists students who require support with toileting, health protocols, or other personal care tasks.  

• Conducts lunch count and collects lunch money. 

• Locates and prepares learning resource equipment and materials. 

• Provides instructional support in computer laboratories and laboratory instruction for students. 

• Performs various clerical functions to include operating a computer, recordkeeping, and attendance. 

• Assists with media resources to include the operation of audio-visual equipment and making of transparencies. 

• Participates in faculty discussions and planning. 

• Reads, tells and records stories. 

• Schedules parent-teacher conferences and time for parent volunteersto assistintheclassroom. 

• Assists on field trips. 

• May be to supervise students in transit  

• Performs other duties asassigned. 

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.  

• Abilityto maintainconfidentiality when discussing students’progress andconcernswith staff 

• Abilityto communicate clearly and concisely in both written and oral form 

• Abilityto remain calmunder tryingcircumstances 

• Abilityto reinforcelesson plans to support theeducational programfor student(s) 

• Abilityto follow directions fromthe teacher, whichmayincludereinforcinginstruction presented by the teacher 

• Abilityto provide personalattention to students on an individualbasis 

• Abilityto work with small groups of students andassist with instruction 

• Abilityto discuss problems affecting students’ progress andwith the teacher and, if sodirected, with other professional staff 

• Abilityto carry out assignments to completion 

• Abilityto performclerical work 

• Possess basic knowledge oftechnology and keyboardingto support student learning 

• Abilityto demonstratestrong humanrelations skills 

• Abilityto have strong, positivecommunicationand interaction skills when dealingwith co-workers,students,administrators,parents and/orthe community 

• Abilityto attend professional developmentsessions during the workday 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS  

Working Environment 

• School buildings, classrooms, community, and/or outdoor setting under a variety of weather conditions. 

• Exposure to high pitched/louder verbalizations by students, bodily fluids, students with more challenging behavior, etc. 

• May be required to assist with students exhibiting challenging behaviors including implementing a continuum of positive behavior supports.  

• May require customized training to accommodate the special needs of students. 

Physical Requirements 

• Must be able to frequently lift and/or carry 50-75 pounds with assistance. 

• Physical ability to work around children including standing and sitting, in a chair and/or on the floor, for extended periods of time. 

• Physical ability to complete bending, pushing/pulling, walking, running, kneeling, twisting, squatting, crouching, overhead and above shoulder reaching movements.  

• Must be able to use hands and fingers to operate standard office as well as student devices/equipment or classroom equipment. 

• Must be able to actively monitor and respond to students who elope from the classroom, school building, or other emergency situations. Including the ability to move quickly towards students who may elope from an assigned area. 

• Requires visual acuity to read and write printed materials and observe the activities of children. 

• Ability to hear, with or without use of hearing aid(s), sufficient to hear any conversation with others. 

The person selected for this position must meet all requirements of the physical examination administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education. 

Working Hours 

• The duty day for a full-time position is 7.5 hours per day including an unpaid thirty-minute duty-free lunch.  

• Must be able to accommodate a flexible schedule and change of location, as needed.  

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS