Job: Special Education Paraprofessional- Penrose Elementary

Job Description

Job Type: Full time, Hourly

Wage: $18.88-$20.55/hr.

Location: Florence, CO.

Job Description

• Position Type: Support Staff/Special Education Paraprofessional
  Location: Penrose Elementary School
  Reports To: Building Principal or designee; works under the direction of licensed teachers and special education staff
  Work Schedule: 7.5-hour workday
  Contract Length: 150 days
  School Calendar: 4-day school week
  Employment Status: Classified / Non-Exempt
  Salary: $18.88 - $20.55, based on the Fremont RE-2 Classified Salary Schedule and applicable verified experience
  Application Deadline: Open until filled

  POSITION OVERVIEW: Fremont RE-2 School District is seeking a compassionate, dependable, and student-centered Special Education Paraprofessional to join the team at Penrose Elementary School.

  Under the direction and supervision of licensed teachers and special education staff, the Special Education Paraprofessional supports students with disabilities in accessing educational opportunities, participating successfully in the school environment, and working toward their individual learning goals.

  This position may provide instructional assistance, behavioral and social-emotional support, student supervision, personal care, mobility assistance, data collection, and other individualized supports identified through student educational plans.

  WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS: Special Education Paraprofessionals are an important part of the Fremont RE-2 educational team. They work alongside teachers, specialists, administrators, and families to help students build skills, gain independence, develop confidence, and fully participate in school.

  The successful candidate will demonstrate patience, flexibility, professionalism, and a commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for every student.

  ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  Instructional and IEP Support

  • Provide instructional support to students with disabilities under the supervision of licensed staff.
  • Assist individual students and small groups with academic tasks, classroom activities, and skill development.
  • Support students in both general education and special education settings.
  • Assist with implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), accommodations, modifications, and student supports as directed by licensed staff.
  • Reinforce skills and instructional strategies taught by teachers and specialists.
  • Support students in developing academic, communication, social, behavioral, functional, and independent-living skills as appropriate.
  • Assist with preparation and organization of instructional materials and classroom activities.
  • Collect and record student data or observations as directed by licensed staff.
  • Encourage student independence while providing the appropriate level of assistance and support.
  • Follow student-specific plans, schedules, routines, and instructional strategies.

  Behavioral and Social-Emotional Support

  • Support positive student behavior through established strategies, routines, and reinforcement systems.
  • Assist with implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans and other student-specific supports when trained and directed.
  • Use positive, respectful, and developmentally appropriate approaches when responding to student behavior.
  • Assist students with self-regulation, communication, social skills, transitions, and problem-solving.
  • Participate in required behavior intervention, de-escalation, crisis prevention, or safety training.
  • Follow District procedures and applicable requirements regarding restraint, safety interventions, and crisis response.
  • Promptly seek assistance when a student's needs or behavior exceed the paraprofessional's assigned role or level of training.

  Student Supervision and Safety

  • Provide active and appropriate supervision of students throughout the school day.
  • Supervise students in classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playground, arrival/dismissal areas, school activities, field trips, and other assigned settings.
  • Assist students with transitions between classrooms, activities, and school environments.
  • Follow all student safety plans and supervision requirements.
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students at all times.
  • Promptly report student injuries, accidents, behavioral concerns, or other safety issues to appropriate staff.
  • Follow District emergency and school-safety procedures.
  • Comply with mandatory reporting requirements and District procedures regarding suspected child abuse or neglect.
  • Report concerns involving bullying, harassment, discrimination, threats, inappropriate conduct, or other student-safety concerns through appropriate channels.

  Personal Care, Mobility, and Health Support

  Depending upon student needs and assignment, responsibilities may include:

  • Assisting students with mobility, positioning, transfers, or adaptive equipment when required and appropriately trained.
  • Assisting with personal care needs such as toileting, hygiene, dressing, or feeding when required by the student's plan.
  • Maintaining student dignity, privacy, and safety during personal-care activities.
  • Following appropriate hygiene, sanitation, universal precaution, and infection-control procedures.
  • Supporting student health needs in accordance with established student plans and District procedures.
  • Performing specialized health or medical support only when appropriately trained, authorized, and directed by qualified personnel.
  • Participating in student-specific training before independently providing specialized personal-care, behavioral, mobility, communication, or health support.

  COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION

  • Work collaboratively with general education teachers, special education teachers, related-service providers, administrators, health personnel, and other support staff.
  • Follow directions provided by licensed staff and building administration.
  • Communicate relevant student observations, progress, concerns, or incidents to appropriate staff.
  • Maintain accurate documentation as directed.
  • Participate in required staff meetings, professional development, and student-specific training.
  • Refer questions from parents or guardians regarding a student's IEP, services, placement, eligibility, or educational program to the appropriate licensed staff member or administrator.
  • Maintain professional and respectful communication with students, families, employees, and community members.
  • Contribute to a positive school culture focused on student success, inclusion, teamwork, and respect.

  CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Maintain confidentiality regarding student educational, disability, behavioral, health, and family information.
  • Follow FERPA, District policies, and applicable student privacy requirements.
  • Access and discuss student information only as necessary to perform assigned responsibilities.
  • Maintain professional boundaries and appropriate staff/student relationships.
  • Demonstrate patience, consistency, dependability, flexibility, and sound judgment.
  • Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
  • Follow Fremont RE-2 Board policies, administrative procedures, the Classified Employee Handbook, and building expectations.
  • Perform other duties reasonably related to the position as assigned.

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • High school diploma or recognized equivalent required.
  • Ability to work effectively with elementary-aged students and students with disabilities.
  • Ability to follow written and verbal directions from licensed staff and administrators.
  • Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of an educational team.
  • Ability to maintain student confidentiality.
  • Ability and willingness to support students with a variety of academic, behavioral, communication, physical, and personal-care needs.
  • Willingness to complete District-required and student-specific training.
  • Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students.
  • Successful completion of required criminal background checks and fingerprinting.
  • Ability to meet any additional qualification requirements applicable to the specific assignment.

  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Previous experience working with children.
  • Previous experience working with students with disabilities or diverse learning needs.
  • Experience in a school, special education, child care, behavioral support, or related setting.
  • Experience supporting students with behavioral, communication, mobility, or personal-care needs.
  • College coursework or a degree related to education, special education, child development, psychology, or a related field.
  • Current First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain certification if required.

  PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

  The position may require the ability to:

  • Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the school day.
  • Sit, bend, kneel, squat, reach, push, pull, and move throughout classroom and school environments.
  • Actively supervise students indoors and outdoors.
  • Move quickly when necessary to respond to student or safety needs.
  • Assist students with mobility, positioning, transfers, adaptive equipment, or personal care when required and appropriately trained.
  • Move instructional materials, classroom supplies, and adaptive equipment.
  • Work in environments that may include noise, bodily fluids, personal-care activities, or challenging and unpredictable student behaviors.
  • Respond appropriately to student injuries, behavioral concerns, medical needs, and emergency situations.

  POSITION ASSIGNMENT: Special Education Paraprofessional assignments are based on student, IEP, enrollment, program, and staffing needs.

  The District may adjust student assignments, classroom assignments, schedules, or responsibilities as needed to appropriately support students and District operations.

  Assignment to a specific student, classroom, teacher, or program does not guarantee continued assignment to that student, classroom, teacher, or program.

  SALARY AND BENEFITS:

  Salary: $18.88 - $20.55, based on the Fremont RE-2 Classified Salary Schedule and applicable verified experience.

  Eligible employees receive benefits in accordance with District policies, plan documents, and the Classified Employee Handbook, which may include:

  • Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) participation
  • Medicare participation as required by law
  • Health insurance eligibility
  • Applicable paid leave benefits
  • Other benefits for which the employee qualifies under District plans and policies

  TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: This is a 150-day classified position working a 7.5-hour workday on the District's 4-day school-week calendar.

  This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every duty, responsibility, or qualification.

  The District reserves the right to modify assignments or responsibilities reasonably related to the position based on student, school, staffing, program, or operational needs.

  Employment is subject to applicable Fremont RE-2 Board policies, administrative procedures, the Classified Employee Handbook, the Board-approved salary schedule, and applicable federal and state requirements.

  FREMONT RE-2 SCHOOL DISTRICT

  Growing a Destination District with Intent, Purpose and Pride

  WE ARE ONE l One Team. One Mission. One Future.

  Fremont RE-2 School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion or need for special education services, access to, treatment or employment in its educational programs or activities.  Additionally, a lack of English language skills is not a barrier to admission or participation in activities. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. William Wilson, Superintendent, and EEO/Affirmative Action/Title IX/Section 504 Compliance Officer for complaints involving employees, and Jason Cellan, Title IX Compliance Officer for complaints involving students.  Both individuals can be located at 403 W. 5th Street, Florence, Colorado, 81226. (719) 784-6312.  Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. (Policy AC, AC-R, AC-E-1, AC-E-2)

  
  

**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “Visit” below for more detail on this specific job.