Department: Elementary, Middle School, Junior High, or High School

Job Status: Full Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Building Administrator and Special Education Director
Grade/Level: Classified

Amount of Travel Required: Varies
Job Type: Regular

Positions Supervised: None
Work Schedule: 181-day contract. Hours are typically 7:30-4:00 daily with a 30-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks. However, the daily schedule may vary depending on the needs of the district.

POSITION SUMMARY
To support teachers and other certified personnel in the implementation of instruction and related services for students with disabilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)
• Provide extra assistance to students with special needs, such as non-English-speaking students or those with physical and mental disabilities.
• Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, elective classes, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
• Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
• Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
• Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
• Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
• Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
• Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, or supervised role-playing methods.
• Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms.
• Operate computers in classrooms and laboratories and assist students with hardware and software use.
• Reinforce instructional activities with students as directed by the teacher.
• Assist in the preparation of instructional materials.
• Observe and respect confidentiality as it applies to all students.
• Implement therapeutic activities including OT, PT, and Speech and Behavioral support under the direction of the special education teacher and school therapists.
• Implement Intensive Crisis Management protocols after training and certification.
• Assist teacher in maintaining the classroom.
• Assist with duties as assigned in the lunchroom, during physical activity periods, on the bus, etc.
• Escort students to elective classes and facilitate their inclusion and participation.
• Attend extracurricular and school-sanctioned events with students as assigned.
• Attend professional development as directed and implement strategies at the direction of the teacher.
• After training by school nurse, administer student medication in accordance with school policy with appropriate documentation.
• Assist students in practicing and participating in Special Olympics at the discretion of the special education teachers.
• Provide and document personal care for students with disabilities which may include the following:
Lifting and positioning of students
Changing clothes/diapers
Catheterization
Tube Feedings
Oral feeding and food preparation
Oral Suctioning
Tracheostomy care
Brushing of teeth
Monitoring and documenting seizures
Monthly cycle care
• Ride a special education bus, as required, to ensure safety of students with disabilities. Duties may include the following:
Physically assist students on and off the bus.
Ensure that seat belts and/or harnesses are securely fastened during the route.
Operate wheelchair lift and tiedowns.
Provide behavioral support as needed.
Maintain visual supervision of students at all times to ensure safety.
Assist with evacuation drills.
Maintain roster and check students on/off the bus.
Assist the driver as a "look-out" in difficult situations.
Inform the driver of any damage or needed repairs.

Travel (with mileage reimbursed) is required. 

• Report to the proper authorities any cases of suspected child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
• Report suspected bullying to building principal or designee as required by Arkansas law and district policies.
• Adhere to all policies of the District.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Building Administrator and Special Education Director.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Competency Statement(s)
• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Diversity Oriented - Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
• Creative - Ability to think in such a way as to produce a new concept or idea.
• Energetic - Ability to work at a sustained pace and produce quality work.
• Enthusiastic - Ability to bring energy to the performance of a task.
• Ethical - Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards.
• Friendly - Ability to exhibit a cheerful demeanor toward others.
• Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Initiative - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Interpersonal - Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.
• Judgment - The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information.
• Loyal - The trait of feeling a sense of duty to the employer.
• Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and of not being hasty or impetuous.
• Punctuality - Ability to report to work on time on a day-to-day basis.
• Regular attendance - Exhibiting regular attendance in order to perform duties in a satisfactory manner.
• Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
• Responsible - Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct.
• Tactful - Ability to show consideration for and maintain good relations with others.
• Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED): Required
Associate's Degree (two year college or technical school): Preferred
A passing score on the Paraprofessional Proficiency Assessment will substitute for the Associate degree requirement.

CDA or Early Childhood Associates preferred but not required. 

Experience: Previous experience working with children or adults with disabilities preferred.

Computer Skills: Shall be able to demonstrate an acceptable level of proficiency with computers and programs associated with the position.

Other Requirements:

1. Successful completion of pre-employment background checks.
2. Appropriate personal and professional conduct at all times while around students and other staff members.
3. Must meet all state and federal requirements for the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this position.
O (Occasionally) Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)
F (Frequently) Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)
C (Constantly) Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Physical Demands 
Stand C
Walk C
Sit F
Manually Manipulate C
Reach Outward C
Reach Above Shoulder O
Climb O
Crawl O
Squat or Kneel O
Bend O
Grasp C
Speak C

Lift/Carry
10 lbs or less C
11-20 lbs F
21-50 lbs F
51-100 lbs O
Over 100 lbs O

Push/Pull
12 lbs or less F
13-25 lbs F
26-40 lbs O
41-100 lbs O

Other Physical Requirements
• Vision (Near, Distance, Color, Peripheral, Depth)
• Sense of Sound - Ability to carry on normal conversations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position is predominately in an indoor environment but does involve occasional outdoor duties. The indoor sound level varies from very quiet to moderately loud depending on the activities taking place.

The Human Resources Department has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Bryant School District reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the District may deem appropriate.

It is the policy of the Bryant School District not to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices.