Paraeducator (Intensive Needs Program)

The Amherst Public School District is seeking full time paraeducators to work in our elementary Intensive Needs Program with students with multiple disabilities including autism, cognitive impairments, health impairments, or other disabilities.

This position includes providing direct support and instruction to student(s) at developmentally appropriate levels under the direction of a special education teacher. It also includes supporting students in one or more of the following areas as applicable to the specific program noted above: expressive and receptive language, social skills, self regulation, activities of daily living (toileting, feeding, etc.), and sensory processing. It may also include attending related service (OT, PT, SLH, etc) therapy sessions to facilitate carryover of skills from one setting to another. Paraeducators may be assigned toileting responsibilities as part of their role. When such responsibilities are required, an additional $0.50 per hour differential will be provided.

Experience with or willingness to train in order to

• Effectively work with students with students with significant disabilities and needs that may include using applied behavior analysis techniques
• Effectively work with students (1:1 or small group) to support their social, emotional, and academic growth and progress
• Effectively work with students who may require behavioral de-escalation techniques, physical supports
• Accurately collect data as outlined by students' individual programming and overseen by the teacher
• Effectively de-escalate and redirect students, and only when absolutely necessary use physical supports

Possess the following:

• Positive outlook, strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Growth mindset and desire to learn
• Commitment towards inclusion that benefits students socially, emotionally and academically
• Experience with a diverse population of students within a multicultural school / community
• Ability to multitask, be flexible and work within a fast paced environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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.