Title:  Paraprofessional III at Berryton Elementary School 

Schedule:  7 hours per day / 174 days per year

Title: Special Education Paraprofessional III for the SOARS Program at Berryton Elementary School

Reports to: Building Principal

Purpose and Objectives of the Position: The Special Education Paraprofessional III works in the district’s intensive behavior support program (SOARS)  at Berryton Elementary.  They support the social, behavioral and emotional needs of students. They assist the instructor in creating a positive learning environment to facilitate the personal, social and intellectual development of students. To accomplish these tasks, the Special Education Paraprofessional III works closely with the staff and administration of the district.

Essential Job Functions:

• Ability to assist in facilitating the personal, social, and intellectual development of students.
• Ability to assist in establishing a positive learning environment and respond to the individual educational needs of students.
• Ability to remain calm and emotionally composed when a student is escalated, disruptive  or physically aggressive.
• Ability to ensure all activities conform to district guidelines.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively and cooperatively with members of the school district and community.
• Ability to gather data as directed by licensed teacher.
• Ability to safely operate all classroom equipment as required.
• Ability to implement the vision and mission of the district.
• Ability to follow specific teaching, behavior and de-escalation strategies as outlined by licensed teacher.

Physical Requirements/ Environmental Conditions:

• Requires stooping, bending, kneeling, turning, reaching, and running.
• Requires prolonged sitting or standing.
• Must be comfortable working in a noisy and crowded environment, with numerous interruptions.
• Must learn and utilize emergency safety interventions and de-escalation procedures.
• Willing to learn and understand a variety of medical and social-emotional conditions and assist with appropriate needs/tasks.
• Willing to work through behavior issues with students and assist them in subsequently regrouping with the rest of the class.
• Willing to ask for and accept help.

General Responsibilities:

• Ability to prepare for classroom activities under the supervision of a licensed teacher.
• Ability to assist students in schoolwork without giving them answers or enabling them to rely on adult help.
• Ability to work with small groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher.
• Ability to assist students to become more independent.
• Ability to assist individual students in need of special education.
• Ability to provide behavioral  support in the classroom.
• Ability to perform clerical duties as required.
• Ability to assist with the physical needs of students.
• Ability to guide independent study, enrichment work, and remedial work as assigned by the teacher.
• Ability to assist with reading and storytelling.
• Ability to assist in drill work.
• Ability to respond to information requests in a cooperative, courteous, and timely manner.
• Ability to perform other duties as assigned by the SOARS teacher or building principal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge of the operation of various office machines and equipment.
• Ability to use personal computer and software.
• Ability to observe and follow all school district policies at all times.
• Ability to react to change and frequent interruptions in a productive and positive manner, meeting deadlines as assigned.
• Ability to implement and follow all district health and safety policies, including all precautions of the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan.
• Must verify good health by passing a physical examination, which includes TB and drug test as required.
• Desire for continued improvement by enhancing skills and job performance.
• Ability to keep student and personnel information and records confidential.
• Ability to not take student behavior personally and not become involved in student drama. 

Terms of Employment: At will. Salary to be established by the board.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the USD 450 Board of Education’s policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel and this job description.