Summary/Objective:

A Paraeducator is responsible for assisting the teacher/therapist in providing instruction and support to assigned students in an educational setting, which is designed to promote intellectual, behavioral, emotional, and social growth. Paraeducators can be assigned to individual students or to multiple students. All functions are performed under the direction of the teacher/therapist.

The position requires the employee to support students with a variety of needs, which may include individuals who exhibit aggressive behaviors and/or self-injurious behavior. The Paraeducator will be trained to meet the individual needs of the students that they are assigned to with the classroom or setting.

This position will be located at Strayer Middle School in the Quakertown School District.

Essential Functions:

• Provide one-on-onetutoring (if such tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher).
• Assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional and/or other materials.
• Act as a liaison in communicating with teacher and other IU and district staff regarding ongoing needs of students.
• Support parental involvement activities.
• Provide support across all educational settings; escort and supervise students to various locations across all educational settings.
• Assist the student to use equipment.
• Assist the student to use and maintain augmentative communication devices.
• Assist a student to ambulate, position, and transfer.
• Support students in range of motion and other exercises.
• Assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (e.g. feeding, grooming, bathing, toileting, diapering, etc.).
• Monitor the incidence and prevalence of designated health problems or medical conditions (e.g., seizure precautions or extreme lethargy).
• Accompany student on school bus or other vehicle.
• Cue, redirect or monitor to ensure that the student performs ADL tasks when a cognitive impairment prevents a student from knowing when or how to carry out the task (e.g., a student may not be able to dress without instruction on how to do so or need reminders of what to do and when).
• Observe/monitor and redirect/intervention to assist with completion of ADL’s.
• Cue the student to pay attention, participate in activities and complete tasks.
• Participate in the implementation of each student's IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) and C.E.Rs (if applicable)
• Assist with data collection of student performance.
• May be trained, when qualified, to occasionally transport students.
• Follow any individualized support plans that may be a part of a student’s educational program (e.g., behavior, communication, health, transportation). Track information about each student including needs, strengths, gains and problem areas.
• Assist with setting up educational environment and preparing materials for instruction.

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/ or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time, 185-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours of work are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel: No travel.

Education and Experience:

Meet the designation of a Bucks IU “Highly Qualified” Paraeducator by showing evidence of at least one of the following:

      Level of Degree:

• Associate or Bachelor Degree
• At least 48 college/university credits
• A high school diploma or equivalency and successfully pass a local assessment. (Bucks IU considers that a Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators from the Pennsylvania Department of Education meets this requirement for those individuals who do not have at least 48 college/university credits or an Associate or Bachelor Degree)

      Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience working with students with disabilities
• Processing software, email, sending attachments and tracking billing.
• CPR & First Aid Certification Required
• Crisis Prevention Institute Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training

The Bucks IU provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type regarding race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the practice of the Bucks IU to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The practice of providing reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed at any point during the recruiting, hiring, or at any time during employment with the Bucks IU, please contact the Director of Human Resources at HR@bucksiu.org  

To be hired for this position you will need the required PA clearances to be dated no more than one year prior to your employment start date.  Click here to learn more about the required clearances.