AMHERST, PELHAM, AND AMHERST-PELHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Job Description

Long-Term Substitute Paraeducator

1.  POSITION SUMMARY

Pelham Elementary School is seeking a full-time Long-Term Substitute Paraeducator to provide temporary coverage during an employee leave of absence. The Long-Term Substitute Paraeducator will support students with a range of learning, social-emotional, behavioral, and physical needs and will work collaboratively with classroom teachers, special education staff, related service providers, and school leadership. This is a temporary position for the duration of the employee's leave and does not create an expectation of continued employment beyond the assignment.

2.  ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and/or physical support to individual students or small groups under the direction of a classroom teacher, special education teacher, or other licensed professional.
• Assist with implementing individualized education programs, behavior support plans, accommodations, modifications, and classroom routines.
• Reinforce instruction and help students access the curriculum at developmentally appropriate levels.
• Support student participation and inclusion across classroom, specialist, lunch, recess, arrival, dismissal, and other school settings.
• Collect and accurately record academic, behavioral, or functional data as directed.
• Promote student independence while providing the level of assistance necessary for safety and successful participation.
• Assist students with mobility, personal care, feeding, toileting, or other daily living needs when required by the assignment and appropriate training has been provided.
• Use positive, respectful, and trauma-informed approaches to support student regulation and behavior.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students, families, and staff in accordance with law and District policy.
• Communicate professionally and collaborate effectively with teachers, service providers, administrators, and other staff.
• Participate in required training, meetings, and consultation related to the assignment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned within the scope of the position.

3.  QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Commitment towards inclusion that benefits students socially, emotionally and academically
• Experience with a diverse population of students within a multicultural school / community
• Strong positive, interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with student, colleagues and supervisors
• Strong ability to work as a member of a professional learning community and multi-disciplinary team
• Strong ability to multitask and work within a fast paced environment focused on student learning, data collection, and measurable outcomes
• Highly effective executive function skills including being well organized, strong time management skills, and able to work independently when appropriate
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to collect data as outlined by students’ individual programming

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with elementary-aged children in a school, childcare, youth-development, or comparable setting.
• Experience supporting students with disabilities or diverse learning needs.
• CPR/First Aid certification and training in de-escalation or student safety practices, or willingness to complete required training.

4.  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to follow teacher direction and implement established instructional and behavioral strategies consistently.
• Ability to build supportive, respectful relationships with students while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Ability to respond calmly and safely to challenging situations and seek assistance when needed.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and protect confidential information.
• Ability to adapt to changing student needs, schedules, and school priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

5.  SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION

6.  WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The physical demands described below are representative of 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to assist students perform tasks, speak to deliver instruction and behavioral directives, and hear.
• The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and taste or smell.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may also be required to use physical interventions to maintain the safety of students.

7.  TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a full-time, temporary assignment created to cover an employee leave of absence. The assignment will end when the employee returns, the leave concludes, or the District determines that coverage is no longer required. Specific dates, daily hours, compensation, and benefit eligibility will be stated in the posting or offer and governed by applicable District policies and agreements.

8.  DISTRICT EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT

The Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and students. The Districts are equal opportunity employers and encourage applications from candidates whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.