Exceptional Education Paraprofessional

An ESS permanent paraprofessional assists the classroom teacher to provide extra support to students with special needs, promoting maximum academic and personal growth. The permanent paraprofessional job responsibilities range from supplementing regular classroom curriculum to helping individual students.

Permanent paraprofessionals are also known as school aides, teacher assistants, instructional aides, one-to-one aides, and personal care assistants.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates support for the school system and its vision, goals and priorities.
• Reinforces concepts from lessons with individual students or a group of students, checks accuracy of work and presents additional assignments as directed by the teacher.
• Helps students to use books, computers, classroom materials and other equipment.
• Assists teacher in keeping records related to attendance, grades, test scores or behavior as assigned.
• Transfers students in and out of holding or locomotive devices and on and off buses.
• Assists students with all aspects of toileting, which may include diapering, and lifting on and off the toilet, changing tables and mats.
• Assists with the management of self-care needs and movement of students with special needs as required (positioning, lifting, transferring, physical intervention, toileting, diapering, and changing of clothing).
• Obtains food from the cafeteria, serves food and feeds student or helps them feed themselves, as needed.
• Assists in managing student behavior to include crisis intervention when needed (which may include restraining) and the implementation of the HELP (Human Empowerment Leadership Principles) training.
• Facilitates students' use of mobility equipment such as leg braces, walkers, mobile standers and tricycles.
• Assists teachers on field trips by helping students with physical needs, maintaining discipline, and reinforcing learning situations.
• Assists bus drivers in maintaining discipline and responding to the physical needs of students.
• Provides assistance on special education buses as assigned by the building level principal, assistant principal or Central Office Exceptional Education staff.
• Assists teachers in directing activities and acts as play leader for assigned groups of students.
• Performs basic health, first aid, or basic nursing care for special education students as directed or authorized by a school nurse.
• Implements behavior management plans consistent with teacher implementation instructions.
• Adjusts or rephrases portions of texts and classroom instruction.
• Attends IEP meetings, if requested.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding school/workplace matters in accordance with state and federal law.
• Performs duties in a courteous and professional manner.
• Demonstrates initiative in identifying potential opportunities for improvement in areas of responsibility.
• Responds to inquiries and requests in a timely and positive manner.
• Maintains and submits required reports (student performance, behavior, academic accomplishments, developmental activities, etc.), records, and correspondence in a timely and accurate manner using technology or other means as directed.
• Properly cares for equipment and material resources of the school system.
• Uses collaboration skills to work as a productive team member.
• Adheres to school system rules, administrative procedures, local Board policies, and state, federal, and local laws.
• Reports absences and takes leave in accordance with Board policies and procedures.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the teacher, principal, or Exceptional Education Director.

For a complete job description of a permanent paraprofessional, click here .

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED
• ABI/FBI Criminal History Clearance
• Associate's degree or 48 semester hours from an accredited college or a passing score on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment
• Ability to meet the suitability criteria for employment and/or certification/licensure under the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 and Act No. 2002-457.
• Ability and willingness to work in a highly demanding, stressful environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication with students, parents and others.
• Effective interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on communication and collaboration with a wide variety of people and groups.
• Ability to carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Physical strength, agility, dexterity, acuity and mobility to perform job responsibilities.
• Ability to use technology to communicate, to manage data, and to produce/submit required reports, correspondence, and/or financial information.
• Ability to follow instructions and accept constructive feedback.
• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, and assist with student toileting and specific hygiene needs.
• Ability to transfer students, feed students, and provide physical support and intervention when required.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed to provide assistance for assigned students on special education buses.
• Ability to be punctual and in regular attendance.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may require.

For frequently asked questions, click here .

About ESS

As leaders in the education staffing space since 2000, ESS specializes in placing qualified staff in daily, long-term, and permanent K-12 school district positions including substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school support staff. Over the last 23 years, we have innovated education staffing to provide dynamic solutions to school districts and professional opportunities to passionate educators. Our team serves over 5 million students with a pool of 92,000 substitute and permanent employees throughout 34 states. Internally, the ESS team is comprised of 650 individuals with a passion for education working together to ensure our 900 partner districts experience valuable education every day.

We provide our employees with the ability to work in school districts across the country in addition to benefits, comprehensive training, flexible work schedules, and professional development. Our partner school districts receive customized solutions, hands-on management, technology, and program analytics and reporting.

ESS Diversity Statement

ESS continuously works to create an environment where all its employees - regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, age or abilities - can work to the fullest of their potential in a fair and welcoming space. Believing that a diverse company is more innovative and successful, we have embraced diversity to ensure that we are empowered to make sure that “Every day counts” for our employees, the students, and the schools we serve nationwide.

ESS is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.