Description

This position is a Job Level 12 with a minimum salary range starting at $43,679. Salary placement is dependent upon education, certification and experience and qualified candidates are placed accordingly.

Job Summary : The Paraeducator Support Specialist plays a pivotal role in supporting, training, and mentoring paraeducators within the organization. Responsibilities include guiding new hires through the orientation process, designing and delivering tailored training sessions, and offering ongoing mentorship to facilitate their success. Additionally, the specialist will visit classroom locations to model effective strategies and techniques and/or visit with paraeducators in their work environment to provide feedback and coaching. They will maintain professional learning communities within an online platform to foster collaboration and resource sharing among paraeducators. Overall, the specialist ensures that paraeducators feel supported, empowered, and equipped with the necessary skills to excel in their roles.

Essential Functions:

• Facilitate the orientation process for new paraeducators, ensuring smooth integration into the team and understanding of organizational culture and procedures.
• Develop and deliver training sessions, in collaboration with program teams, tailored to the needs of paraeducators, covering topics such as job responsibilities, Bucks IU procedures, best practices, instructional supports, collecting data, and behavior supports.
• Serve as a mentor to paraeducators, offering guidance, advice, and support to facilitate their growth and success in their roles.
• Conduct classroom visits of paraeducators to provide constructive feedback and identify areas for further training and development.
• Demonstrate effective strategies and techniques through modeling, allowing paraeducators to observe and learn firsthand how to implement best practices in their work.
• Create and maintain professional learning communities, in collaboration with program teams, for paraeducators within an online learning management system, facilitating ongoing communication, collaboration, and resource sharing among paraeducators to enhance their professional growth and development.
• Collaborate with colleagues and supervisors to identify areas for improvement in paraprofessional support and training programs and contribute to the development of new resources and strategies.
• Maintain accurate records of training sessions, attendance, and feedback, and utilize data to inform future training initiatives and refine support methods.
• Stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and regulations relevant to paraeducator roles, and incorporate this knowledge into support and training efforts.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment where paraprofessionals feel valued, supported, and empowered to excel in their roles.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 260-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours of work may vary based on position and division but generally are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel: Regular travel to Bucks County schools and occasional travel to conferences/professional learning events.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma required.

• PA Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraprofessionals OR a PA Instructional Teaching Certificate required.

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

o Experience with Special Education programming and classrooms, preferably paraeducator or teaching experience in this area.

o High energy level and ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across a variety of educators, including teachers, instructional aids, and administrators.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable): Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States required.

EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.