EdPost

Position: Behavior Support Specialist-Special Education Paraprofessional-Highly Qualified

Job Description: Behavior Support Specialist-Special Education Paraprofessionals assist students with behavioral special needs under the direction of a certified teacher. 

Paraprofessionals generally work in an inclusionary setting (i.e. least restrictive environment). The behavior support specialist special education paraprofessional assists the special education teacher and the general education teacher with daily classroom activities to help special needs students that may be challenged with behaviors and being emotionally regulated throughout the school day. This role provides care for special education students physical and emotional health and safety, affirming their abilities, and striving to promote dignity in all relationships. 

Qualifications: 

• A minimum of 2 years of college or meets the requirements of a “highly qualified” paraprofessional as defined in Federal law 

• Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) preferred, but not required

• High School Diploma required 

• A willingness to work hard and maintain a positive, professional attitude and demeanor. 

• A commitment to teamwork, service, leadership, and professional growth. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Cultivating their own sense of wonder through self-initiated and Academy-directed learning.

• Supporting the implementation of Individual Education Plan(s) (IEPs) in accordance with state and federal requirements.

• Modeling virtuous habits among the students through interactions and personal examples. 

• Consultation and collaboration with Special Education and Regular Education Teachers as well as related service staff.

• Assisting students in achieving academic success. 

• Supporting students with behavioral dysregulation (including aggression or disruption in class), which may include physical management (training provided upon hire). 

• Personal care and support activities of daily living.

• Social integration.

• Collect daily data and complete daily log as directed by certified special education staff

• Implement IEP goals, services, accommodations and modifications as directed and per documents provided.

• Follow confidentiality guidelines.

• Participate in professional development offered and required for the position.

• Provide assistance to licensed special education staff in regards to curriculum, lesson planning and modifications.

• Use effective and evidence based skills to support positive behavior.

• All other duties may be assigned per the Employee Handbook.

• The salary for this position will be in accordance with the Great Oaks Academy standard hourly rate for high needs special education paraprofessionals and according to experience.

Supervision

• Work is performed under the direction of the licensed Coordinator and Director(s).

• No supervisory duties.

Working Conditions

• Duties are generally performed in a typical classroom and/or resource room setting where there are minimal environmental hazards or risks. Employees may be exposed to some disagreeable conditions involving human/student contact, verbal outbursts, physical aggression, exposure to bodily fluids and the like when assisting with activities of daily living. Occasional lifting/restraining students. Occasional exposure to airborne pathogens.

• Work is performed during the traditional school year and may include some additional days during the summer.

Physical Job Requirements

• This is medium work requiring the exertion of over 60 pounds of force occasionally, and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; work requires stooping, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information through normal spoken word; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, inspections involving small defects and/or small parts, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions and may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens.