Therapeutic Program Para

POSITION TITLE:  Therapeutic Program Para (TPP)
STATUS:   Classified – Nonexempt
STARTING SALARY:   $19.00
Benefits:

• Health• Dental • Vision • insurance
• Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off
• Pay dates on the 15th and 30th

POSITION SUMMARY:  The job of Therapeutic Program Para (TPP) was established for the purpose/s of assisting in the supervision, care, and instruction of students with severe social, emotional, and behavioral disabilities in site based emotional disturbance classrooms and/or special day school settings.  This position assists in implementing individualized educational plans, implementing behavioral intervention plans, monitoring student behavior, data collection and reporting, providing information to appropriate school personnel, and performing classroom clerical tasks.

PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  Adapts and provides accommodations of classroom activities; assignments and/or materials under the direction of the teacher for the purpose of providing an opportunity for special education students to actively participate in the general curriculum.
• Aids students in and out of classroom (e.g. packing backpacks, note taking, relationship building, field trips, social skills, etc.) for the purpose of addressing student needs, including social, emotional and behavioral growth.
• Occasionally assists students requiring support in addressing personal care needs due to medical and/or mental health conditions, and/or physical limitations (e.g. changing clothing, toileting, lifting of students and/or equipment etc.) for the purpose of allowing students to function in the school environment.
• Attends meetings and professional development (e.g. SCM, behavioral de-escalation and management, trauma-informed strategies, CPR, instructional and educational strategies, specific disability education, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and effectively implementing skills relative to the job functions and meeting established annual State training requirements.
• Collaborates with staff for the purpose of providing necessary support and information related to the student’s progress as established in their Individual Education Program and Behavior Intervention Plan under the direction of certified staff
• Frequently implements behavioral plans for students as designed by the IEP team for the purpose of assisting in meeting student needs and providing a safe, predictable, and consistent environment under the direction of certified staff.
• Frequently assists students with challenging and/or aggressive behaviors.
• Implements education and behavioral programming under the supervision of the classroom certified staff for the purpose of developing new skills for students.
• Instructs students in a variety of activities in individual and group settings (e.g. academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills, etc.) for the purpose of meeting Individual Educational Program goals under the direction of certified staff.
• Maintains instructional materials and data sheets for the purpose of ensuring availability of instructional materials and/or providing reliable data regarding student progress under the direction of certified staff.
• Monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments and/or community environments (e.g. rest rooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus loading zones, fire drills, assemblies, cafeteria, parking lots, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive environment conducive to learning.  Middle school level paraeducators may be required to assist students in the swimming pool.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the educational team.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.   
• If the school building is classified as Title I, 48 hours of college credit or the ability to pass the Title I assessment test is required.
• Job related experience is desired.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.  Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and appropriate use of district approved crisis intervention procedures.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math; read and follow instructions; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.  Specific