PARAEDUCATOR - (Instructional Aide) - DESERT/MOUNTAIN Region/Various Locations

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Under the supervision of an administrator, performs a variety of instructional activities and support activities for students throughout the county. The Paraeducator works in the classroom and/or in the community to assist the teacher in the preparation and implementation of education and training programs. The Paraeducator directs and encourages student completion of all teacher-initiated activities in a variety of educational settings.

Alternative Education Programs: Paraeducators working in the Alternative Education programs will assist teachers to provide youth who are at promise with academic training and supervision while maintaining a safe classroom environment in the following programs:

• Community Schools, providing students with academic, social, emotional development from grades 3-12 who have been expelled or referred by their local school districts or Probation.
• Juvenile Court School, serving students who are wards of the court with academic and vocational instruction, along with improvement of self-esteem, social skills and assisting the teacher in maintaining a safe classroom environment.

Special Education Programs: Paraeducators working in the Special Education programs at County Schools will assist teachers with academic and functional skills training while maintaining a safe classroom environment for students with exceptional needs from birth to age 22. Typical disability conditions affecting students in these programs include autism, blindness, deaf/hard of hearing, intellectual disability, emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairment, multiple disabilities, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment, speech and language impairment, other health impairments and specific learning disabilities as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The classification specification does not describe all duties performed by all incumbents within the class. This summary provides examples of typical tasks performed in this classification:

• Assists teacher in one or more of the following curriculum areas: academic, vocational education, social skills, health development, language development, sensory and motor skills, electives, and life skills.
• Assists the teacher and other staff in providing student care activities such as: toileting, diapering, face
and handwashing, lifting/positioning, manipulation of clothing, assistive devices and feeding, etc;
• Assists the teacher in the preparation of educational materials and classroom resources.
• Effectively supervises students.
• Implements County-approved behavioral training(s) as applicable: such as CPI and PCM:
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI);
Professional Crisis Management (PCM);
• Assists in providing student(s) with a safe environment.
• Assists teacher with record maintenance.
• Works cooperatively and communicates effectively, within the bounds of confidentiality, with parents, school district personnel, law enforcement, health services, and social services representatives.

• Assists teacher with implementation of classroom activities.
• Assists with performing school health procedures (i.e., catheters, tube feeding, ostomy care, and other
procedures as required) following competent training, as required by the needs of the students.
• Reads SBCSS emails regularly to receive pertinent information.
• Other job-related duties as required.

OTHER RELATED DUTIES
• May attend to students with medical needs.
• Performs other related duties as directed within position summary and trainings (i.e., CPR, Target Solutions).
• Assists with instruction of students individually or in small group settings under the direction of certificated
employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Ability to lift-up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to use the English language to communicate clearly, both verbally and in written work.
• Knowledge of and ability to perform basic arithmetic functions.
• Possession of a high school diploma (or its equivalent);
• Ability to meet Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), completion of an associate degree or higher -OR- completion of 72 quarter units or 48 semester units -OR- prior passage of the ESSA written test may be substituted in lieu of taking a written test administered by SBCSS. Copy of degree, transcripts, or proof of passing the ESSA (Certificate of Compliance) test must be provided.

Desired Experience:
• Previous school experience in one or more of the following: a classroom setting for students with special
needs, experience working with youth programs, at-promise and/or alternative education student programs.
• Training or education in related areas such as child development, health care and special education.
• Experience with computer operations.

Ability to:
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Exercise judgment and initiative and reach sound decisions within established policies and guidelines.
• Be attentive and alert to medical or safety needs of students and take action as required/needed.
• Learn simple methods and procedures, and effectively attend and implement County-approved training in curriculum, functional skills, and behavior.
• Operate a variety of instructional media, computers, office machines, and equipment.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Maintain accurate and current records and reports.
• Successfully adjust to interruptions in work schedules and routines on short notice.
• Be dependable, following through with policies and procedures and be relied upon to be at work on time daily.
• Demonstrate an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude toward students.
• Establish and maintain a cooperative and effective working relationship with students, parents/guardians, and staff.
• Assemble, collate, and organize prepared materials.
• Communicate effectively in verbal and written form.
• Meet established deadlines.
• Work on a variety of tasks simultaneously.
• Work independently.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• Standing, walking, lifting, sitting at a child’s level, sitting for extended periods of time.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling and crouching, reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, Revised Nov 2020/Subcommittee stooping, ascending and descending stairs.
• Ability to push students in wheelchairs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Employees in this classification work primarily indoors in a classroom with some outdoor requirements and playground environment. May have direct contact with students, the public, and other county and district staff.
Exposed to strong odors, and potentially contagious illnesses/diseases (tuberculosis, measles, mumps, chicken pox, hepatitis, etc.).

May perform duties without guidance from supervisor. Some assignments may require constant attention to protecting physical safety in a classroom and/or community where pupils, due to the nature and severity of their disabilities, are accident prone, or have assaultive or self-abusive tendencies which may cause serious injury to themselves or others. There are continuous changing priorities and interruptions. May require exposure to weather conditions for moderate periods of time. Exposure to and use of approved cleaning items and/or solutions, fumes and odors (body waste, body odors), and blood and other bodily fluids. Use of Protective Clothing: gloves, face masks, protective sleeves, back support belt and other health & safety equipment and/or clothing.

NECESSARY MATERIALS FOR APPLICATION
• Completed EDJOIN Online Application (incomplete application will not be accepted).
• One (1) current (dated and signed within 3 years) letter of reference.
• Copy of associate degree or higher -OR- transcripts verifying completed units from an accredited college or university -OR- a copy of ESSA written test results (if applicable) -OR- the ability to pass ESSA written examination.
• All materials must be received online by stated deadline.
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications and provide all necessary materials online prior to the stated deadline in order to qualify as a candidate.

Various Locations throughout County

Martin Rivera