Paraprofessional Educator Special Education Special Programs Preschool

Bargaining Unit: TOTEM
Work Year: 9 months
Work Day: 6.5 hours per day
FTE: Full time, .8125 FTE
Salary: T-10, $20.94 to $21.83 per hour, DOE

This position receives an additional $1.00 per each hour worked, not to exceed 8 hours per day. 

Job Summary
The Paraprofessional Educator Special Education Special Programs Preschool implements special education services and supports under the direction of a special education teacher. The paraeducator provides instruction and assistance to special education students in special education classrooms, regular education classrooms and other settings in the schools. The position has a retirement association with the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).

Job Requirements
The following are required:

1. A high school diploma or equivalent, or current enrollment in a GED program.
2. Must meet paraprofessional requirements for the state of Alaska through one of the following methods: 48 college semester credits from a regionally accredited institution, OR a passing score of 459 or greater on the ETS Paraprofessional Assessment exam, OR passing the WorkKeys by ACT assessment, OR passing the ASD provided Master Teacher paraprofessional training.
3. Basic skills in reading, writing, and math
4. Excellent communication and customer service skills.
5. Ability to maintain confidentiality and inspire confidence and cooperation of staff, parents, students, administrators, and the public.
6. Ability to establish and maintain a professional relationship with staff, parents, students, administrators, and the public.

The following are preferred:      

1. Knowledge of first aid.
2. One year experience working in general education, special education, agency, or private school settings.
3. Experience working directly with young children Paraprofessional Educator experiencing disabilities.
4. Basic experience with office equipment andcomputer literacy skills, including word processing, printing, and e-mail.  
5. Ability to read and interpret documents such as Individual Education Plans (IEPs), behavior plans, and lesson plans, etc., under the direction of a special education teacher.
6. Ability to remain calm and maintain a professional demeanor during times of conflict and make effective decisions under pressure.
7. Ability to share essential information appropriately with team members to aid in the development of individual student programs.
8. Ability to be trained in specific instructional strategies, programs, and techniques and to implement training correctly and consistently.
9. Ability to take direction and follow through on tasks independently.
10. For parapros in preschool self-contained classrooms: experience working with young children ages 3 to 5 and working with students with disabilities.
11. For parapros on preschool CARE teams (community-based itinerant teams): experience working with young children ages 3 to 5, experience working with students with disabilities, ability to work independently in a wide variety of settings and to interact in a positive way with other adults in community settings.
12. A valid Alaska driver's license, ASD required vehicle insurance, and the willingness to use personal vehicle for department business.

Essential Job Functions

1. Provides instructional services in reading, math, writing, etc. to students individually or in small groups under the supervision of a special education teacher.
2. Prepares or modifies instructional materials for students as specified by special education teacher.
3. Collects data in accordance with student IEP goals and objectives as directed by certified special education staff.
4. Collaborates and works cooperatively with colleagues and staff.
5. Follows written and oral instructions, and independently follows through on teacher directed programming/strategies.
6. Implements and provides special education services and supports for students as detailed in the IEP. Duties will include providing instructional services, accommodations and modifications, behavioral and social interventions, individual behavior improvement plans, personal hygiene assistance and