Para Special Education High Incidence (2026-2027 School Year)

Job Title: Para Sped High Incidence

Position Function: Under the supervision of an administrator and direction of a certificated/licensed staff, assist the teacher in the education of students including instructional assistance, organization, record keeping, and management of student behavior, classroom safety, and communication with students, support staff and parents. Students may have cognitive disabilities, communication disabilities and social, behavioral and/or emotional disabilities. Students served are in need of academic and/or adaptive behavior skills instruction.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Supervises students in class setting as directed by the teacher
• Assists in managing classroom routines and procedures
• Assists in the interventions to redirect behavior, assesses crisis situations and intervenes to defuse situations, documents any occurrences, provides feedback to develop positive self-esteem of student
• Assists the teacher by supervising school activities on or off campus during the course of the instructional day
• Assists in the implementing of student behavior plan
• Assists students to and from assigned areas within the building to facilitate integration efforts
• Assists the teacher in the physical setup of the classroom for group instruction, projects, and activities
• Assists in the integration of technology into the classroom
• Participates in effective teaming skills, collaboration, conflict resolution and communication
• Provides individual and/or group instruction which may include regular education students in academic areas after initial instruction by teacher
• Is assigned to a regular classroom program where special education students are assigned
• Provides feedback to students and teachers
• Assists students through the use of questioning and discussion techniques
• Assists with student engagement with the curriculum
• Assists students with self-advocacy
• Assists students in using technology
• Exhibits oral and written communication that is clear and expressive
• Assists with child development and language acquisition
• Assists students with the integration into regular education classroom
• Assists the teacher with the designing of instruction and follow through
• Assists the teacher in the development and implementation of the Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Demonstrates knowledge of district resources
• Assists the teacher with planning and implementation of any type of community based instruction
• Maintains high level of confidentiality of information regarding students and staff information and issues
• Models appropriate behavior for students
• Develops and maintains a professional rapport with classroom teacher and other staff
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of students, staff, and parents
• Communicates with students, parents, instructional and support staff by letter, phone, e-mail, fax or personal contact as directed by the administrator or classroom teacher
• Observes and charts student behavior and assist in discipline of student as instructed by the teacher.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritize and organize
• Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, PLCs and parent conferences as required
• Acquires a minimum of 20 hours of in-service annually. After 3 years a minimum of 10 in-service hours is required. (Paras are encouraged to take advantage of in-services provided by the building or district.)
• Assists students to and from buses and assisting the drivers until departure time
• Assists in the transportation of students
• Accepts the responsibility for travel between buildings and assignments when necessary
• Assists in caring for student's medical needs when under the direct supervision of the school nurse or other appropriate professional
• Assists students with basic needs including but not limited to self-care, hygiene, feeding, (may include tube feeding), toileting, diapering, dressing and physical transfers

Additional Duties: Assists with additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use SMART boards and iPads in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with USD 259's guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Limited travel between schools and central offices may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Be able to work in various weather conditions
• Be able to react immediately to an emergency situation for the safety and welfare of the students and staff, which may include the use of physical restraint technique
• Be able to walk long distances, stand for long periods, bend, twist, balance, stoop, climb steps and reach overhead
• Possess the manual dexterity, physical ability and stamina for a full day of physical activity
• Be able to see and hear well
• Be able to lift, carry, push and pull up to 20 pounds.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated proficiency in developing and delivering training to meet the targeted needs of the identified audience
• Some positions may require knowledge of various sign language modalities, Braille, NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) or other special skills
• Ability to communicate both verbally and written in order to communicate with others inside and outside of the organization for the purpose of giving and obtaining information
• Ability to communicate effectively with a Supervisor when their discretion is needed
• Ability to perform as an effective team player
• Ability to plan, organize, make decisions and prioritize work to meet the daily demands of the building
• Exhibit a professional manner and a positive attitude
• Use good judgment to make decisions on recurring assignments
• Display a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance
• Knowledge of company's mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service

Employee Punctuality and Appearance:

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee's supervisor or building administrator
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of USD 259 and is appropriate for their position

Qualification Profile:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required
• Paras working in a Title School must have a minimum of 48 accredited college credits verifiable with a transcript or pass a state approved assessment
• Some positions may require knowledge of various sign language modalities, Braille, NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) or other special skills
• Some positions require in service, training or course work in first aide, symptoms of child abuse, and/or symptoms and signs of illness

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt