Paraeducator, Special Education (Moderate/Severe)

Benefits

We provide a safe, caring, courteous, and professional environment that fosters collaborative work and individual development for employees. OCDE offers generous, comprehensive, tax-free insurance benefits options to full-time members of the staff. Benefits may be prorated for employees working fewer than 12 months per year or less than full-time. Benefits packages include medical, dental, and vision care insurance for employees and their eligible dependents, and life insurance for employees.

About the Employer

The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) serves some of Orange County's most vulnerable student populations and provides support and mandated fiscal oversight to 28 school districts serving more than 600 schools and approximately 475,000 students. In addition to providing direct instruction to students through its own alternative and special education programs, OCDE administers an array of programs and services that are critical to the operations of local school districts and community colleges, facilitating professional development, legal guidance, payroll, career and technical education support, high-speed internet access, Local Control and Accountability Plan assistance and approval, resources for families, and student enrichment. OCDE's vision is that "Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success." Department staff are working to achieve this goal in collaboration with educators at all levels of student development, from early childhood through higher education, and in partnership with families, businesses and community organizations.

Job Summary

OCDE's Special Education program operates year round and is designed to provide functional instruction for students between the ages of 3 years and 22 years who have been identified as needing intensive educational services. It is the goal of our program and services to emphasize the teaching of skills that are functional and critical to the needs of our students. Whenever possible, interaction with non-disabled peers is promoted. We emphasize communication, vocational training, and functional academic skills with a behavior management emphasis. Typically, assignments focus on providing care for one of the following: medically fragile students, students with significant behavior issues, students in adult transitional programs, or pre-school students in OCDE autism early intervention programs. The ideal candidate for the position of Paraeducator will have knowledge of methods and practices relating to behavior modification, conflict resolution, and safety for our moderate to severe student population. This position can work in a one-on-one or small group setting in a classroom or out in the community. Paraeducators are responsible for assisting in implementing students IEPs in order to foster productive learning and life skills and to provide students with a variety of positive learning and socialization experiences. Our Special Education Paraeducators work 5.75 hours per day.

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Requirements / Qualifications

Education and Experience:Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the knowledge and abilities would be: • One year of experience working with severely emotionally, mentally, and/or physically disabled special education children in an organized setting; AND one of the following: • Completion of at least two years of study at a college or university; OR • An Associate of Arts degree; OR • Satisfactory completion of an approved paraeducator test; OR • Demonstration of a rigorous standard of quality through a State or local assessment including knowledge of and the ability to assist in instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics. Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements: • OCDE in-service or other training and certification as required to meet the needs of assigned student/s. • Obtain valid CPR and First Aid certifications within six months of employment. There are supplemental questions in the application. Please note that the EdJoin system will time-out after a 20-minute period of perceived inactivity. To assist you in the preparation of your application, the supplemental questions are listed here. Your responses should be thoughtful and thorough, and within the limit of 5,000 characters or less. We recommend that you prepare your responses in advance of beginning the application. 1. Please elaborate on your experience/training in an educational setting assisting students that have severe medical disabilities. 2. Please elaborate on your experience/training in an educational setting assisting students with severe behavioral disabilities. Notice to Applicants: If you require accommodations in the application process, please inform us.

Education and Experience:Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the knowledge and abilities would be: • One year of experience working with severely emotionally, mentally, and/or physically disabled special education children in an organized setting; AND one of the following: • Completion of at least two years of study at a college or university; OR • An Associate of Arts degree; OR • Satisfactory completion of an approved paraeducator test; OR • Demonstration of a rigorous standard of quality through a State or local assessment including knowledge of and the ability to assist in instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics. Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements: • OCDE in-service or other training and certification as required to meet the needs of assigned student/s. • Obtain valid CPR and First Aid certifications within six months of employment. There are supplemental questions in the application. Please note that the EdJoin system will time-out after a 20-minute period of perceived inactivity. To assist you in the preparation of your application, the supplemental questions are listed here. Your responses should be thoughtful and thorough, and within the limit of 5,000 characters or less. We recommend that you prepare your responses in advance of beginning the application. 1. Please elaborate on your experience/training in an educational setting assisting students that have severe medical disabilities. 2. Please elaborate on your experience/training in an educational setting assisting students with severe behavioral disabilities. Notice to Applicants: If you require accommodations in the application process, please inform us.

Comments and Other Information

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed online application. Before receiving authorization to work in this position, the individual selected will be required to provide a current negative TB authorization, within the last 60 days, and submit fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a confidential background investigation and record check. The tests are arranged and paid for by OCDE. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify the employability of all new employees. Before the Department will finalize an offer of employment, the candidate selected will be required to show original documents which establish both the individual's identity and employment authorization. The candidate must also sign a statement under penalty of perjury regarding his/her employability. We reserve the right to reopen, readvertise, or delay filling this position. AA/EOE/ADA

Comments and Other Information

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed online application. Before receiving authorization to work in this position, the individual selected will be required to provide a current negative TB authorization, within the last 60 days, and submit fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a confidential background investigation and record check. The tests are arranged and paid for by OCDE. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify the employability of all new employees. Before the Department will finalize an offer of employment, the candidate selected will be required to show original documents which establish both the individual's identity and employment authorization. The candidate must also sign a statement under penalty of perjury regarding his/her employability. We reserve the right to reopen, readvertise, or delay filling this position. AA/EOE/ADA