This posting is for candidates who would like to be considered for any and all para educator eligibility pool openings at OUSD. This is not an advertisement of a current vacancy at OUSD but rather an opportunity to submit applications to be screened for anticipated vacancies. Please also apply to any site specific positions you may be interested in.The District and AFSCME are working together to create promotional opportunities for existing staff therefore site-based Para-Educator job postings are available for seven 7 days for internal candidates based on our collective bargaining agreement.TITLEPara-Educator Special EducationREPORTS TOAssigned SupervisorDEPARTMENTAs AssignedCLASSIFICATIONClassifiedFLSANon-ExemptWORK YEARHOURS261 days 7.5 hours or duty days and hours as assignedISSUEDCreated April 2015SALARY GRADEAFSCME ParaBASIC FUNCTION Under the direction of assigned supervisor assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to individuals or small groups of students in an assigned educational program assist children with meeting the goals and objectives of their Individualized Education Plan IEP attend to the physical and health needs of students monitor and report student progress regarding educational performance perform a variety of clerical and supportive duties related to classroom activities and classroom management. This position is distinguished from other student support roles in that in addition to providing instructional support to students with disabilities under the guidance of a certificated teacher employees in these positions are primarily responsible for attendant physical duties to enable students with disabilities to have equal educational opportunities assisting with basic health needs of students with disabilities as trained and assisting the classroom teacher in creating with setting up and maintaining engaging academic environments.This position may be used as a step towards further professional development opportunities as an Instructional Support Specialist andor certificated position.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRING SPECIALIZED SKILLSDeaf and Hard of Hearing Para-Educator Assist in providing high quality instruction to individual or small groups of Deaf and Hard of Hearing DHH as well as other students in a classroom as assigned must be able to communicate proficiently and effectively using a signing system such as American Sign Language ASL Pidgeon Signed English PSE Manually Coded English MCE and facial expressions appropriate to student&rsquos level of understanding.Visual Impairment Para-Educator When assigned in a placement supporting students who are blind or visually impaired must assist the classroom teacher in delivering instruction and meeting goals and objectives of students qualified for special education services for the visually impaired must be able to read and demonstrate Braille must be able to operate a supportive equipment including without limitation audio devices Braille printer computer tactile and Braille production equipment and copiers must be able to assist students with moving through the school environment and where appropriate use of a cane.REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties knowledge or abilities associated with this classification but is intended to reflect the principal job elements accurately.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSAssist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to students in Pre-K through Young Adult in an assigned classroom or program including but not limited to Special Day Class SDC or other programs assist students with disabilities to meet the goals and objectives included in their IEP.Read IEP goals to support instruction to maximize student progress when trained by appropriate staff.Communicate with teachers andor parents as may be required to assist in evaluating progress andor implementing IEP objectives.Implement classwide and individual behavior strategies to effectively maintain a safe learning environment when trained by appropriate staff when needed.Communicate professionally with other staff and parents both written and verbal to provide seamless and transparent communication between all parties.Implement under direction of teacher lesson plans assist individuals or small groups of students reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher monitor and oversee student drills practices and assignments for the purpose of presenting andor reinforcing learning concepts and assisting students in reaching academic goals and grade level standards.Assist students with washing toileting may include lifting on and off toilet diapering dressing and undressing grooming and other activities necessary for maintaining personal hygiene and neatness.Assist with the transportation of students position and reposition students requiring the use of medical equipment wheelchairs braces and other orthopedic equipment make minor adjustments on lifting and other equipment as necessary assure the safe use and operation of wheelchairs prosthetic devices and other equipment.Assist with the loading and unloading of students on and from buses automobiles wheelchairs stretchers and gurneys.May volunteer on an annual basis to be trained to administer Diastat and will administer Diastat as needed. May also volunteer to perform medical procedures when trained and supervised by appropriate staff.Provide basic first aid and specialized health care as needed and directedAssure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures.Assist the teacher in monitoring motivating and training students with disabilities observe and manage behavior of students according to approved procedures report progress regarding student performance and behavior follow the behavior intervention plan.Perform a variety of clerical duties such as preparing typing and duplicating instructional materials scoring papers and recording grades assist in keeping attendance prepare and maintain student files as assigned.Provide support to the teacher by setting up work areas and displays operating audio-visual equipment and distributing and collecting papers supplies and materials confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs.Administer monitor and score a variety of tests and assignments to comply with established test criteria and provide a reliable testing environment rephrase materials and explain instructions and words.Assist students in developing self-help social and communication skills as assigned.Notify immediately appropriate personnel and agencies and follow established procedures when there is reasonable suspicion of substance abuse child neglect severe medical or social conditions or potential suicide.Assist in monitoring lunchroom activities and mealtime procedures including feeding and cleaning.Assist in carrying out positive reinforcement procedures and reactive strategies identified in a behavior support plan such as prompting student to switch to functionally equivalent replacement behavior and debriefing during the school day.Respond to emergency situations to ensure immediate resolution and appropriate documentation of safety concerns by appropriate personnel.Assist with the supervision of students in and outside the classroom recess and other playground activities and accompany students on field trips by helping students with physical needs maintain discipline and reinforcing learning situations.Operate a variety of office instructional and audio-visual equipment as assigned provide technical assistance in the operation and maintenance of specialized instructional equipment as assigned.Maintain basic knowledge of computers including Microsoft Office.Assist with data collection take data on goals and determine when a student has reached a benchmark to ensure continued and ongoing student progress when trained by appropriate staff.Work as part of a team of professionals for the betterment of the special education programs and site as a whole.Help keep classrooms and other school facilities neat clean orderly and safe.Direct group activities of students.Maintain confidentiality of student records and information.Adhere to site and department codes of conduct.Participate in staff meetings professional development and attend various in-service meetings to acquire andor convey information relative to job functions to support and maintain an effective educational environment.Perform related duties as assigned.QUALIFICATIONSThe District determines whether a candidate is qualified based on fulfillment of prerequisites relevant work experience ability to perform the essential functions reference checks effective interpersonal and communication skills demonstrated by interview performance andor writing samples and achievement on performance-based assessments if applicable that demonstrate the candidate possesses the requisite knowledge skills and abilities. Meeting prerequisites only satisfies the initial screening process and does not indicate the candidate is qualified to perform the essential functions of the position.KNOWLEDGE OFSpecial needs issues and requirements of special education studentsCommon Core Standards Content Standards District Curriculum Response to Intervention Full Service Community SchoolsPositive reinforcement systems and behavioral strategies to maintain safe learning environmentsThe 13 disability categories outlined in California Education Code and how they affect students’ ability to access educationUtilization of various forms of assessment to guide and design instructionBasic concepts of child growth and development and developmental behavior characteristicsMethods techniques and procedures for lifting and moving children incapable of providing assistanceThe special needs of students who have behavioral andor learning disabilitiesChild guidance principles and practicesSafe practices in classroom and playground activitiesInstructional methods and techniquesEffective pedagogy for ethnic populations English and Standard English LearnersApplicable federal state and District codes regulations policies and procedures governing work scopePlanning organization and coordination needed for assigned programDiverse academic socio-economic cultural ethnic and disability backgrounds of District studentsBasic record-keeping techniquesClassroom procedures and appropriate student conductSafe contact with bodily fluids blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseasesEffective student management techniquesTechnology and computer software applications relative to instruction administration and educationAccepted record keeping and reporting methods and strategiesOperation of office instructional and audio-visual equipmentABILITY TOAssist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environmentReinforce instruction to individual or small groups of students as directed by the teacherAdd subtract multiply and divide quickly and accuratelyCommunicate effectively in the English language both orally and in writingAssist students with disabilities in areas related to activities of daily function such as feeding toileting exercises and positioningReinforce instruction to students with disabilities communication and behavioral problemsDemonstrate an understanding patient and receptive attitude towards children with special needsUnderstand and follow oral and written directionsLearn the procedures functions and limitations of assigned dutiesRemain calm and exercise judgment in dealing with emergencies and special health needsGather data and prepare reports as directedEstablish and maintain cooperative relationships with students school personnel parents co-workers and the publicWork independently with appropriate direction and follow established policies and practicesWork confidentially and with discretionAnalyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of actionSupervise and discipline students according to approved policies and proceduresLearn and use technology and computer software applications as appropriate to the work environmentUse tact patience and courtesy when dealing with people and discretion in handling of confidential recordsUnderstand and be sensitive to those of culturally and linguistically diverse backgroundsUse initiative and judgment in discussing problems involving practices and policies with the public and District staffRead understand interpret and follow laws rules regulations processes policies and methods of the office the District and the State of California in accordance with assigned dutiesQualify for a Standard First Aid and CPR certificateApply integrity and trust in all situationsPREREQUISITESMeet Highly Qualified requirement of No Child Left Behind A high school diploma or equivalent AND a an Associate of Arts degree or higher or b 48 or more college units or c a passing score on a test CBEST ParaPro or CODESP and relevant training or course work in child growth and development instructional technology or closely related field.One year of experience working with children of various age levels in a classroom setting and experience attending to students with physical needs preferredPossess and maintain a valid First Aid Certificate and CPR CertificateWillingness to complete at least 15 hours of additional training as required to perform the duties of the job including without limitation annual training describing the duties as mandated reporters of child abuseValid California Driver&rsquos License if applicableWORKING CONDITIONSENVIRONMENTOffice diverse school site and classroom environments driving a vehicle to conduct work fast-paced work constant interruptions may need to physically guide or restrain students potential contact with blood and other body fluids and communicable diseases.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSConsistent mental alertness sitting or standing for extended periods of time walking on uneven terrain play yards and school grounds lifting carrying pushing and pulling objects up to 50 pounds must be able to lift carry push or pull objects that are greater than 50 pounds with assistance bending and twisting at the waist reaching overhead above the shoulders and horizontally dexterity of both hands and fingers while performing duties seeing to read write use a computer use educational materials books and other printed materials with or without vision aids seeing to monitor students hearing and speaking in audible tones to exchange information in normal classrooms outdoors in person or on the telephone.NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICYThe Oakland Unified School District does not discriminate in any program activity or in employment on the basis of actual or perceived race religion color national origin ancestry age marital status pregnancy physical or mental disability medical condition genetic information veteran status gender sex or sexual orientation.