Salinas City Elementary School District

(New Job Description)

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TITLE:  Para-Educator II

DEPARTMENT:   Special Education

BOARD APPROVAL: 6/8/2020

REPORTS TO:       Principal CLASSIFICATION:  Classified WORK YEAR:  183 Days SALARY:   Range  27

DEFINITION:

Under the general supervision of the School Principal or program director and under the direction/ instruction of certificated staff, the Para-Educator  II performs various supportive tasks designed to facilitate  instructional  effectiveness  in the overall education,  guidance, and care of students with mild to moderate special needs. Para-Educator II staff are assigned to various instructional settings.

SUPERVISOR(S):

School Principal or Designee

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily  perform each essential duty. The requirements listed on the job description are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations  may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following is a list of duties that are representative of the position and include but are not limited to:

•    Works with students individually and in groups assisting with specific instructional, recreational, or learning tasks.

•    Supervises students in a variety of settings including but not limited to recess, on and off the bus, riding with a student(s) in a district vehicle, and/or during meals.

•    May assist certificated staff to supervise students on field trips.

•    Assists in preparing and utilizing a variety of study aids and techniques to reinforce student skills/learning.

•    Observes and assists in managing behavior in the classroom.

•    Assists students with the use of computers, audiovisual aids, and other technology.

•    Participates in available training to stay current with academic, safety, enrichment, and technology standards.

•    Meets with teacher and other staff to collaboratively create effective learning within the regular work schedule..

•   Assists in implementing  behavior intervention plans and positive behavior reinforcement strategies.

•   Participates in and supervises student recreational activities and events both indoors and outdoors as assigned.

•   Assists in managing materials and supplies specific to assigned program.

•   Assists in ensuring that classroom and/or program environment  is safe and clean.

• Accompanies special needs students to general education classrooms.

•   Works directly with students in subject areas including but not limited to reading, math, language development, social studies, science, technology, art, music and PE.

•   ** May be assigned to provide specialized physical health care procedures.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Experience:

•    High school diploma or equivalent.

•    Para-Educators must fulfill one of these three requirements:

•    Education as required by the "Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015": High school diploma or equivalent AND two (2) years of higher education study (48 semester units); OR

•    Possession of an Associate's or higher degree; OR

•    Met a rigorous standard of quality and able to demonstrate, through a formal State or local academic assessment, knowledge, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing and mathematics.

Knowledge of:

•    Strong English  verbal  and  written  communication  skills  including  spelling, grammar  and punctuation.

•   Basic math concepts.

Ability  to:

•   Learn and apply techniques of student supervision.

•    Demonstrate understanding, patience, a positive attitude and genuine interest in working with students with disabilities.

•    Understand and be sensitive to those of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

•    Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work.

•   Work under general supervision and function effectively within a team setting.

• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.

• Be flexible with a positive attitude and possess excellent interpersonal skills.

• Handle information in a discreet and confidential manner.

• Exercise reasonable judgment in unusual circumstances.

•   Understand and carry out assigned duties.

•   Communicate effectively in the English language, both verbally and in writing.

•   Read, understand, interpret, and follow laws, rules, regulations, processes, policies, and methods of the office, the District, and the State of California.

•   Learn and use technology and computer software applications as appropriate  to the work environment.

•    Maintain accurate and neat records and reports.

•    Use standard office equipment effectively.

•    Meet schedules and time-lines.

•    Make simple mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.

• Physically participate in activities outside the classroom such as: mainstreaming, recreational activities, and field trips.

•   Use correct procedures for lifting and correctly positioning on/in specialized equipment used by student.

•    Implement Behavior Goals following specific behavior plans.

•    **Provide specialized physical health care procedures.

•    Perform appropriate First Aid and CPR when necessary.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:

•   First Aid certification; maintain valid certification.

•   CPR Certification; maintain valid certification.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

•   Previous experience working in a school district

•   Experience working with students with disabilities

•   Bilingual English/Spanish

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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.

•   Physical, mental, and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position and sustain moderate physical effort;

•   Manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone, and classroom technology (including computers);

•   Visual acuity for the purposes of reading printed materials and computer screens;

•   Hearing sufficient to understand speech at normal levels in person and/or on the telephone;

•   Conduct verbal conversation in English so others will be able to clearly understand a normal conversation in person, on the telephone, and addressing groups;

•   Physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, kneel and sit on the floor, and to reach above head;

•   Physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment (classroom, office, playground);