Paraprofessional Special Education Summit
Western Heights Middle School
Grade 6 of the ESP Salary Scale (New Employee Starting Wage $17.23, consideration is given for Pre-K - 12 teaching experience on a state issued professional certificate)
7 Hours/Day, 10-Month Work Year
Reports to Building Administrator

Minimum Requirements
High School Diploma/G.E.D.
Highly Qualified status (A.A. Degree, 48 credit hours, or have successfully passed the Paraprofessional Praxis Test).
Two years’ experience working with children with emotional disturbance/behavioral issues or combination of education and experience totaling two years.
Ability to lift between 30-50 pounds in specified situations.
Regular and predictable attendance which is an essential function of this position.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications
Competency with fundamental reading, writing, arithmetic, and communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work harmoniously with staff, students, and community.
Training and experience working with populations relevant to the assigned school.

Role Responsibilities
Work with individual students and small groups of students to reinforce skills introduced by the teacher(s).
Assist students in generalizing learned social skills and problem solving skills in the general education environment.
Participate as part of a crisis response team which includes engaging in verbal de-escalation of students and physical restraint in emergency situations.
Assist the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing skills and instruction.
Assist the teacher in maintaining classroom organization and a positive learning environment.
Operate and assist with the care of the classroom equipment.
Assist with supervision and management of students during instructional and non-instructional activities.
Assist with physical care and physical management of students as needed and appropriate.
Follow through to carry out individual programs designed by the teacher.
Participate in and/or provides input for team planning functions as appropriate.
Demonstrate courteous and professional demeanor to all stakeholders of Washington County Public Schools.
Other duties as assigned.

Environmental Factors and Physical/Mental Requirements
The Environmental Factors and Physical/Mental demands represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer and other office equipment.
Ability to sufficiently and efficiently move throughout the building and grounds for extended periods.
Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with others as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, and hear.
Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
Ability to move, raise, lower, and carry objects up to 20 lbs. on an irregular basis.
Must be able to bend, crouch, stoop, reach, and climb.
Will be subjected to loud noises, interactions, and traffic flow associated within a highly populated office environment.