SFUSD Paraprofessional Job Description

Success, Opportunity, Achievement, and Resilience (SOAR)

Intensive services for students with intensive emotional and behavioral needs

Characteristics of Class:

Under the direction of the school administration, assists certificated teachers and works with specialists assigned to the classroom in providing academic and social instruction and assistance to individuals and small groups of students with significant social-emotional and behavioral challenges.  Working locations can be in the classroom, playground, and community setting. Adequate physical strength and mobility is required to implement strategies for emergency intervention, including lifting and moving students in an agitated emotional state and implementation of physical restraints in order to ensure safety.

Some positions may require that the employee furnish a certificate of clearance from the Department of Motor Vehicles in order to meet insurability.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

 Employee will be required to furnish proof of the following:

• Commitment to successfully complete the American Red Cross Standard First Aid and American Red Cross Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation trainings within 90 days, if the candidate is not already in possession of valid certificates
• Commitment to partake in and successfully complete the CPI training prior to entering the classroom if not already possessing that certificate

 Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Willingness to work with, and basic background knowledge of, interventions for working with students with significant social-emotional and behavioral needs  
• Ability to follow appropriate safety precaution guidelines and procedures and make judgment calls during a crisis, across all school settings and activities
• Strong interpersonal skills using tact, patience, firmness, caring, courtesy, and consistency
• Use and operation of a word processor, iPad, computer, and standard office equipment, ability to collect data in a systematic manner

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/equivalent
• An Associate of Arts Degree or higher, OR
• 48 college units, OR
• High School Diploma/equivalent and passing of CBEST examination
• A letters of interest

• One year of successful experience working with students who have significant social-emotional and/or behavioral needs, i.e. direct student care or as an instructional aide working in a public school, nonpublic school or nonpublic agency setting.

 Example of Duties:

• Implement evidence-based and positive behavioral supports for students with social-emotional and behavioral needs in school
• Be familiar with and help implement all student Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) including facilitation and coaching relevant social and problem-solving skills to students
• Collect data on behaviors as per student Behavior Intervention Plan
• Participate as a team member in student evaluations and educational planning and implementation of approved behavior plans
• Communicate with teachers and assigned Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) therapist on a regular basis regarding student behavior
• During work hours, attend required meetings such as SOAR weekly staff meetings and other meetings as directed by the site administrative staff
• Assist professional personnel in maintaining appropriate safety precautions and procedures for classroom, campus, transportation, recreational, and community based instruction through the implementation of school-wide/classroom-wide systems of behavior and Nonviolent Crisis Prevention Intervention
• Observe and control group activities and behavior of students according to established procedures
• Escort students to various locations on and off school campus
• Assist students in their understanding and comprehension of all subjects taught to grade-level peers
• Reinforce instruction as directed by the teacher or lesson plan and assist with preparation and presentation of learning materials and instructional exercises including administering, correcting and recording student tests, essays, and assignments as directed

Perform all related duties as assigned.