Work Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAEDUCATOR

Reports to: Building Principal and Special Education Director

Starting pay: $16.25/hour

Frequently must accept direction from the Lead teacher.

Status: Hourly FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Date Revised:  October, 2023

BASIC FUNCTION:  Under the direction of a certified staff member, may assist students by helping individuals or small groups of students with academic support implementing instruction, reinforcing learning skills, reinforcing school-wide discipline procedures, movement to & from classes, bus, etc., and personal health & hygiene. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist teachers with educational activities, including:
• Assists monitoring pupils in the classroom and supervising students on field trips, recess and other activities; may monitor the class when teacher is otherwise occupied.
• Assists in preparing materials for instruction by setting up and using computers, and audiovisual equipment and materials.
• Assists in organizing and utilizing reference and source materials; assists teacher in developing individual instructional materials.
• assessing student work.
• Assist in the implementation and monitoring of students' Individual Education Plans.
• Assist in implementing consistent behavior management strategies and procedures.
• Administers tests, records results and charts remedial measures as required by the teacher.
• Supervise students in the lunchroom, recess, classrooms, halls, bus loading/unloading,  and in those areas as requested.
• Makes quick, responsible decisions regarding student welfare and safety, including counseling students regarding conduct and self-discipline.
• Assist students with work completion.
• Completes Medicaid documentation as required.
• Reports incidents of unusual nature to teachers and principal.
• Maintains confidentiality of student information
• Perform personal care duties for students with disabilities, as needed.
• Feed, toilet and diaper students as needed.
  • Fills in for other staff absences as required by administration.
  • Attends in-service training and school meetings as appropriate.
  • Other duties as assigned. 

EDUCATION AND RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE:  

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Must be 18 years of age
• Experience working with school age children in the education setting preferred.
• Knowledge or the ability to be trained to meet the responsibilities of the job.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, or CERTIFICATIONS:  

• Para-educator certification preferred

TECHNICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & ABILITIES:  

• Basic problem solving skills
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to operate typical office equipment, such as telephones, computers, copier, fax machines, e-mail, etc.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to engage students with special needs
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changes without notice.
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to diffuse and manage volatile and stressful situations.
• Ability to establish a positive relationship with students, staff and families.
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to appropriate supervisor/administrator. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works in standard office and school building environments.
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.

  PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:         

• Regularly required to use hands to manipulate or feel for objects, tools, or controls and talk or hear.
• Must be ability to move throughout the school and classroom which would involved standing, walking, kneeling, bending, etc.
• Must be capable of lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds
• Must be capable of squatting up to 2 minutes at a time
• Must be capable of bending over up to 3 minutes at a time

NOTE: The physical demands described above represent real-life tasks an employee may need to perform as part of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While the frequency may be low, the above stated physical demands may be required during the course of a daily work shift. (Tasks that have physical demands that exceed the above stated limits should only be performed with sufficient manpower or material-handling equipment.)

DISCLAIMER:

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this position. These statements are not intended to limit or, in any way, modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. 

Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The district does not discriminate based on gender, race, national origin, creed, age, marital status or disability and will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.