Pathfinder

Job Title: Paraprofessional

Position Summary: A Paraprofessional’s role is to increase the quality of instruction to students by performing any instructional or non-instructional tasks required, under the supervision of a certified professional (teacher, therapist, principal, and supervisor). Paraprofessionals are not responsible for the design, direction or evaluation of the teaching/learning process.

Two categories:

• Center-Based Paraprofessionals

• District Paraprofessionals

AIU School-Based Paraprofessionals :

• Classroom Paraprofessionals: are assigned to one specific building and a specific classroom within that building

  • Building Paraprofessionals: can be placed in up to 3 specific assignments per semester.

  • Building Professionals At Large: can be placed in any assignment within a specific building on a daily basis.

  • Itinerant Paraprofessionals: can be assigned to one of the three AIU operated schools each day and are assigned responsibilities by the principal each morning. In the event there is not a need in that building that day, the principal can assign them to an alternate AIU operated school for a day or extended assignment as needed.

  • Pool Paraprofessional At-Large: A Certified Pool Operator Exam and Allegheny County Certification and State Pesticide Test, and CPR/First Aid Certification are required. The training and tests will be provided by the AIU.
    
    

District Paraprofessionals:

Include all Paraprofessionals employed in other locations, including school district classrooms, Preschool Early Intervention and Speech/Language classrooms.

• Classroom Paraprofessionals: are assigned to one specific classroom

• Paraprofessional At-Large: can be assigned to another one of the AIU operated classrooms in the building or alternative location for a day or extended assignment as needed.
  
  

All Paraprofessionals follow the same duties prescribed in this job description.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists children to and from the bus at arrival and departure times when program and types of children warrant.

  • Facilitates personal care services as needed to assist students with activities of daily living necessary for comfort and well-being, including toileting of children.

  • Prepares and operates instructional equipment and materials including, but not limited to: audio/visual equipment, iPad, Smartboard, Xerox copies, lamination, computer documents/printing, visual aids, artwork, etc., as directed by the teacher and/or therapist.

  • Assures that all possible measures are taken to assist a child in the event of an emergency until help arrives. This includes notifying the immediate supervisor and/or supervising administrator immediately.

  • Maintains good housekeeping and follows program health guidelines in the classroom and diaper changing areas. This includes proper storage of materials, supplies and equipment; cleaning chalkboards, tables and chairs as needed; placing desks, tables and chairs in proper order, etc.

  • Updates attendance records and data collection, as programs require under AIU PA Certified Professional direction, handles and maintains confidentiality as it pertains to special education.

  • Assists with feeding of students who are unable to feed themselves. In addition, may collect lunch/snack money, submit lunch count information and supervise students in the cafeteria as needed.

  • Assists students in the use of teaching devices, such as assistive technology devices and computers, and other equipment used for individualized instruction.

  • Participates inparent/teacher conferences and IEP conferences, as requested.

  • Interacts and assists in the supervision of students during work-instructed assignments, play activities, and emergency drills according to the standards and policies of the program, in all environments throughout the school day, while under the direct supervision of the AIU PA Certified Professional and/or Administration.

  • Performs reinforcement instructional services as delegated by the PA Certified Professional, including, (but not limited to), reinforcing activities in the visual, auditory, motor and cognitive areas.

  • Follows and implements IEPs (including behavioral intervention plans) under the direction of the AIU PA Certified Professional, follows and reinforces the behavioral management system in place and assists the teacher with students who may need physical intervention using accepted procedures (NCI or any other AIU approved procedures).

  • Attends training as required for performance of job. This may include but is not limited to NCI, CPR, First Aid, Confidentiality, Universal Precautions and various diagnoses.

  • Accompanies the teacher and students on field trips or community-based instruction during the school day.

  • Performs other educationally related duties assigned by the teacher and/or Administration.
    
    

Qualifications:

• High School diploma required. (PATTAN Paraeducator Certificate training will be provided by the employer and must be completed within 90 days of hire)

• Associate’s degree or equivalent number of college credits (60) or a PATTAN Paraeducator Certificate preferred.

• 1-2 years’ experience working with children with special needs strongly preferred.

• Training in crisis intervention, CPR and First Aid preferred.

• Ability to work as part of the educational team

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly.

• Ability to prioritize identified needs of students by following directives of classroom teachers, staff and peers, as well as the goals of the IEP.
  
  

Additional Requirements:

• Current Act 114, Act 34, Act 151 and NSOR clearances are required prior to an offer (Must be dated within 1 year of hire date).

• School Personnel Health Record and TB Test (Form H511.340) must be completed and received by Human Resources prior to hire date.

Working Conditions:

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.

• Be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time

• Be able to sit on preschool-size chairs and floor as necessary (PEI)

• Walk up and down stairs, walk/run to implement services

• Be able to lift, carry, push, and pull 50 pounds

• Be able to kneel, crouch, bend and reach to retrieve and handle teaching materials and supplies and interact and facilitate the learning of the students

• Be able to speak clearly and distinctly when communicating

• Be able to hear clearly

• Adequate vision to perform duties

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Disclaimer: The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the Paraprofessional.

Reports To: Building Principal or Program Supervisor

Department: Special Education and Support Services

Position Schedule: 189 days, Monday - Friday

Salary: Per the AIUFT Bargaining Unit Agreement (Step 1 $26,434.00-$26,783.00)

Benefits: Per the AIUFT Bargaining Unit Agreement

To Apply: Create an on-line application and upload a resume and proof of education at AIU Career Site.

Please send any questions to: [email protected]

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap, or limited English proficiency in its educational programs, services, facilities, activities or employment practices as required by Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 Regulations of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, Section 204 Regulations of the 1984 Carl D. Perkins Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any other applicable federal or state statute.