Job Title:    Para-professional

Reports To:    Building Principal

Job Summary

This position assists teaching staff in K-12 classroom settings by performing instructional tasks in small groups and one-on-one settings and provides student supervision; provides assistance and supervision of students during lunch and/or assigned recesses to ensure a positive and safe environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the follow tasks. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Follows and maintain knowledge of all district policy(ies) and procedures.
2. Assists students, individually, in groups, or in classes, with lesson assignments.
3. Tutors students individually or in small groups to reinforce and follow-up learning activities.
4. Works directly with students with a variety of special needs.
5. Assists special education students in achieving goals and providing supplemental support.
6. Assists students with tracking assignments and managing behaviors.
7. Implements Individual Education Plan (IEP) modifications at teacher or administrator’s request.
8. Confers with teaching staff on progress of students.
9. Attends IEP meetings as requested.
10. Plans daily activities and instruction for students under the direction of a teacher or administrator.
11. Oversees and supervises students during classroom activities in library, on field trips, at lunch, recess, hallways, gym, and other areas as assigned, ensuring safety and security at all times.
12. Assists office staff and teachers with a variety of clerical duties including answering telephones, routing telephone calls or messages to appropriate staff, filing, typing, duplicating materials and operating general office machinery including, but not limited to photocopy machines, computers, and fax machines.
13. Presents subject matter to students, utilizing a variety of methods and techniques such as lecture, discussion and supervised role playing.
14. Assists with physical needs of students (carry books, clearing access ways, etc.) and use appropriate restraint techniques if required to control students.
15. Maintains student records, attendance records, and files; if requested by administration.
16. Maintains safe environment for students at all times.
17. Escorts and supervises assigned students to various classes.
18. Administers District, state, and/or federal testing, as requested.
19. Maintains discipline in the absence of the teacher.
20. Circulates throughout the cafeteria during mealtime. Helps students by opening packages and milk cartons.
21. Cleans up spills and provides additional assistance as needed.
22. Assists students through cafeteria lines in an orderly fashion.
23. Assists in cafeteria clean-up.
24. Assumes responsibility for play equipment. 
25. Directs movement of students to and from various locations in an organized manner, such as: playground, lunchroom, classroom, gym, library, and outdoor areas.
26. Responds to emergency situation (injured students, fights, etc.) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns.
27. Follows prescribed daily schedule as outlined by the teacher or administrator.
28. Provides verbal and/or written feedback of observations for the purpose of assisting certificated personnel in evaluating students.
29. Assists the grading of assessments, progress monitoring, assignments and/or other items if requested to do so by administration.
30. Assists in bus loading and unloading.
31. Substitute for other classified positions as directed to by supervisor, such as, but not limited to: classrooms, special education, food service, and custodial. 
32. Assists staff in the set-up and maintenance of the classroom, materials and supplies.
33. Assists staff in scheduling appropriate meetings and completion of paperwork.
34. Assists in developing educational materials (copying, typing, laminating, etc.) if requested to do so by administration.
35. Assists students with managing behaviors and resolving conflicts.
36. Participates effectively at regular team meetings with teacher and other staff using appropriate social skills, problem solving and conflict resolution strategies.
37. Evaluates student injuries, determines course of action, performs minor first aid and completes required paperwork in compliance with District policy(ies).
38. Reports safety, sanitary, and fire hazards immediately to supervisor.
39. Maintains appropriate certifications and training hours as required.
40. Complies with applicable District, state, local and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
41. Professionally represents the school and the District in interactions with parents, community, staff and students.
42. Attends work regularly and is punctual.

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities

Marginal duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Attend in-service trainings.
2. Attend staff meetings.
3. Reports issues to authorities as necessary, animal control, suspicious activity etc.

Supervisor Responsibilities

All school employees have some responsibility for supervising students and assisting in maintaining a safe environment. 

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: Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school or at least one year related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred. Must be highly qualified under the reauthorization of ESEA. 
• Interpersonal Skills: Works well with others from diverse backgrounds. Focuses on solving conflict; maintaining confidentiality; listening to others without interrupting; keeping emotions under control; remaining open to others’ ideas and contributing to building a positive team spirit. Demonstrated ability to successfully work with young children.
• Language Skills: Ability to communicate fluently verbally and in writing in English. Ability to effectively present information and respond effectively to questions in one-on-one, small group situations to students and other school staff. Ability to verbally respond to common inquiries from students. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, IEPs, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals and governmental regulations. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to calculate rate, ratio, figures, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, schedule or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Computer Skills: General knowledge of computer usage and ability to use: email, internet and word processing software, spreadsheets, Google Docs, Microsoft Office, and Skyward are preferred. Ability to type accurately and proficiently.
• Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to appropriately communicate with students, teachers, parents and members of the community. Ability to exercise good judgement and work in an environment with constant interruptions.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Certificates as determined by the district including meeting current highly qualified requirements under the reauthorized ESEA. Ability to obtain a valid CPR/First Aid card, Washington Food Handler card, bloodborne pathogen training and blood spill 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 talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; stand; sit; use hands for fine manipulation, handle or free and reach with hands and arms using a keyboard and video display terminal. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. The employee may occasionally climb stairs or ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus and peripheral vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics describes here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may by made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment combines a standard office setting including standard office equipment (fax, copier, phone, computer, 10-key, etc.) with the standard classroom setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate, but occasionally high depending upon student population and activities. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions and/or outdoor weather conditions. The employee may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens.

Other

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Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable. The district may not violate any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or contract in its addition to, modification of, or deletion of this job description or the position itself.