[Hiring] Severe Needs Para Educator @Cherry Creek Schools

Role Description

Assist students with severe special education needs under the direction of licensed special education staff. Support individuals and small groups with curriculum, skill development, behavior strategies, and assignment completion. Prepare instructional materials, monitor student progress, and maintain achievement records. Provide technical physical care and help ensure a clean, safe, and hygienic environment. In remote learning settings, assist students with technology access, curriculum reinforcement, executive functioning strategies, skill generalization, and coursework completion. Assignments may include Autism, BD, Early Childhood Education, Homebound (FAPE), ILC, SED, and Transition Programming.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist students with classroom activities, including adapting the curriculum to individual student needs. Assist with curriculum delivery to both individuals and small groups to ensure generalization of skills. (Daily, 35%)
• Implement student accommodations, supports, modifications, procedures, and programming outlined in the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP). Maintain records of student progress and behavior in conjunction with licensed staff. (Daily, 30%)
• Assist special education licensed staff in preparing materials, administering tests, attendance, etc. Assist with paperwork and documentation as needed. (Daily, 5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested. (Daily, 5%)

Integrated Learning Center (ILC) and Homebound (FAPE) Program Assignment

• Monitor students and reinforce appropriate behavior for individual student needs. Assist in verbal de-escalation and non-violent crisis interventions. (Daily, 15%)
• Provide technical physical care for students with special needs as assigned. (Daily, 10%)

Serious Emotional Disability (SED) Assignment

• Monitor students and reinforce appropriate behavior for individual student needs. Assist in verbal de-escalation and non-violent crisis interventions. (Daily, 25%)

Online/Remote Environment

• Assist small groups of students or individuals with online classroom activities, including curriculum accommodations or modifications. (Daily, 50%)
• Prepare assignments for students to complete at home and support students in completing assigned work. (Daily, 35%)
• Maintain records of student progress and behavior in conjunction with the licensed staff. (Daily, 5%)
• Support students in troubleshooting technology issues. (Daily, 5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested. (Daily, 5%)

Minimum Qualifications

• Criminal background check and fingerprinting required
• High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma
• No professional work experience required
• Title I assignments must meet one of the following requirements:
• Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
• Obtained an associate’s or higher degree; or
• Met a rigorous standard of quality, and can demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing, as appropriate:
• Reading/language arts, writing, and mathematics; or
• Reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness
• Mandatory biennial Crisis Prevention Intervention training provided by the District for staff working in an Autism, Behaviorally Disordered, or ILC assignment
• Medication administration training provided by the District as needed
• Basic knowledge of typical office equipment such as telephones, copiers, fax machines, email, etc.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Intermediate verbal and written communication skills
• Intermediate interpersonal relations skills
• Intermediate organizational skills
• Ability to work alone and with others
• Ability to appropriately modify curriculum
• Ability to implement behavior modification techniques
• Ability to diffuse and manage volatile and stressful situations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job
• Ability to work one-on-one and in small groups with students
• If working in the DHH Program, ability to understand the impacts of hearing loss on learning and social interaction
• If working in the Homebound program, ability to set appropriate boundaries and build appropriate relationships while working in the home setting with families and other student healthcare providers

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Work location is subject to change to meet the requirements of the organization
• Medium work strength level (lifting or carrying 50 pounds)
• Primarily works indoors
• Typically a moderate noise level
• Prolonged standing and walking
• Frequent bending, reaching, and climbing
• Frequent lifting, pulling, and/or pushing
• Squatting
• Overhead work
• Eye/hand coordination (e.g., typing, ten key)
• Visual concentration

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working in the public sector, specifically public education
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Racially conscious and culturally competent
• Associate’s degree
• Work with special needs children in a paid program or licensed special education teaching experience
• Experience working with students with autism, behavior challenges, medically fragile conditions, hearing or vision loss, or intellectual disabilities
• CPR and First Aid certification