JOB SUMMARY

The Behavior Support Paraprofessional Educator provides academic and behavioral support for students experiencing emotional disturbance, social and behavioral challenges, or mental health impairments. The position has a retirement association with the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

The following are required:

• A high school diploma or equivalent, or current enrollment in a GED program.
• Must meet paraprofessional requirements for the state of Alaska through one of the following methods: 48 college semester credits from a regionally accredited institution, OR a passing score of 459 or greater on the ETS Paraprofessional Assessment exam, OR passing the WorkKeys by ACT assessment, OR passing the ASD provided Master Teacher paraprofessional training.
• Basic literacy skills in reading, writing, and math.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and inspire confidence and cooperation of staff, parents, students, administrators, and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain a professional relationship with staff, parents, students, administrators, and the public.

The following are preferred:

• Knowledge of first aid.
• Experience working with students in a job related capacity such as in a school, specialized class, clinic setting, residential facility, or agency setting.
• Two years of experience working in general education, special education, private school, agency, clinic, residential treatment, or other mental health settings.
• Basic experience with office equipment and computer literacy skills including word processing, printing, and e-mail.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as Individual Education Plans, behavior plans, and lesson plans, etc., under the direction of a special education teacher.
• Must be able to readily recall details of individual students’ behavioral support plans.
• Ability to resolve problems, handle conflicts, and make effective decisions under pressure.
• Ability to share essential information appropriately with fellow team members to aid in the development of individual student programs.
• Ability to read and interpret information from a variety of professionals, including psychologists, behavioral specialists, counselors, and mental health specialists and under the direction of these specialists and the special education teacher, appropriately use the information to support students.
• Ability to remain calm and maintain a professional demeanor during times of conflict.
• For behavior programs in neighborhood schools: Overall physical conditioning and ability to provide physical support for students in a variety of settings within the classroom or school. Ability and willingness to be trained on a variety of topics, including Positive Behavioral Supports, positive reinforcement techniques, appropriate behavioral interventions and de-escalation techniques.
• For behavior programs in special schools: Overall physical conditioning and ability to provide physical support for students which will include activities such as running, carrying students, getting up and down from the floor. Ability and willingness to be trained in district sanctioned de-escalation techniques.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides instructional services in reading, math, writing, etc., to students individually or in small groups under the supervision of a special education teacher.
• Prepares or modifies instructional materials for students as specified by special education teacher.
• Collects academic and behavioral data in accordance with student(s) IEP goals and objectives as directed by certified special education staff.
• Collaborates and works cooperatively, as a team member, with colleagues, staff, and community agency personnel.
• Follows written and oral instructions, and independently follows through on teacher directed academic and behavioral programming/strategies.
• Implements and provides special education services and support for students as detailed in the IEP. Duties will include providing instructional services, accommodations and modifications, behavioral and social interventions, individual behavior improvement plans, personal hygiene assistance and assisting/monitoring students to and from buses.
• Implements ASD approved de-escalation techniques as required by district behavioral programs.
• For behavior programs in neighborhood schools: Majority of hours spent in special education or general education classroom environments. However, student support may be required in other school settings such as restrooms, corridors, lunch rooms, gyms, conference rooms, or playgrounds. This also includes assistance/monitoring during lunch periods, breaks and recesses, and assisting students to and from buses as specified in the IEP.
• For behavior programs in special schools: Majority of hours would be spent in special education classrooms, however, also works in other school settings such as restrooms, corridors, lunch room, gym, playground. Required to attend students during outside recess on playground and to and from the bus.
• Supports the Anchorage School District’s position of valuing diversity, promoting respect, and maintaining standards of confidentiality.

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
Anchorage School District (ASD) employees must possess the ability to read and write in English. This also includes the ability to communicate in English with school staff, co-workers, and the public; as well as have the ability to comprehend and carry out oral and written directions and understand and follow English instructions and written documents.
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. For certificated positions, this is in addition to the background check conducted through the certification process with the Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).
This position may be required to work in ASD facilities on the military installations (JBER). Please visit the government REAL ID website for additional information.

Please refer the Job description for details