Miami Unified School District

Job Title: SPECIAL NEEDS PARAPROFESSIONAL

Department: School

Reports To: Principal and/or Special Education Teacher

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

SUMMARY:

Provide assistance to teachers in preparing materials, working with, and supervising, students, and providing individualized instruction (and adaptation) of classroom curriculum according to the student's skills.

Must be able to pass a fingerprint and background clearance check. AZ Department of Public Safety Clearance Card Dept. Apply Online

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Assist in the development of student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Implement daily lesson plans including academic, social, and functional activities as indicated in the IEP.

Organize/prepare instructional material for students.

Provide direct student instruction (individual or group) from lesson plans.

Maintain records and files for assigned student(s).

Computer skills to input data.

Provide formal and informal evaluation of IEP goal attainment.

Assist classroom teacher as time and conditions permit.

Design, implement, and enforce behavior management plans.

Provide physical assistance to assigned students, as needed. This includes all activities during

school hours, on campus or off (e.g., field trips, assemblies, playground, etc).

Provide individualized "life skill" assistance as described in the IEP (e.g., toileting, feeding, etc.).

Follow proper techniques in handling, lifting, and carrying students.

Assist in therapy (physical, occupational, speech, etc.) as instructed, and as explained in the IEP.

Maintain student confidentiality, while ensuring the teacher and principal are informed of important aspects in the student's activities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Job Description

Special Needs Paraprofessional

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED)

AA Degree or 60 credit hours or Passing of the ParaPro Test

DESIRED EXPERIENCE: Current First Aid and CPR training. Required upon recommendation for hire, unless waived by hiring principal.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively to students, parents, and employees of the organization. Ability to communicate effectively with students who have speech and language disabilities.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral,  or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Upon recommendation for hire, employee must present certification in First Aid and CPR training.

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.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

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.