Location: Christiansburg,VA, USA
The Montgomery County School Board, Virginia, is now accepting applications for Special Education Paraprofessional positions at the elementary school level that may be available within our division for the 2024-2025 School Year. Please note this is a continuous recruit posting to build an applicant pool for all schools. As positions become available, all qualified applicants with complete application files will be considered. We encourage you to also apply to any site-specific postings that may become available.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The paraprofessional, under the supervision of a special education teacher, supports students with disabilities ages 3 through 21, to access the general or adapted curriculum in a variety of settings in order to increase the independence of the student and meet their educational, social, emotional, and functional needs. The paraprofessional may work with one or more students throughout the school day. This involves maintaining the dignity, safety, and supervision of students with disabilities while striving to promote independence.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Applicants must have a minimum of two years college experience OR successfully completed Parapro Assessment. Individuals who do not meet these qualifications will not be considered. Parapro assessment can be completed with MCPS by appointment.
ESSENTIAL TASKS:
The following duties are typical for a paraprofessional position. There may be extra duties, which are not listed below, that logically relate to the paraprofessional position. Other duties may be required and assigned. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, it is not all-inclusive and administration reserves the right to revise the job description at any time.
* Assists teachers in preparing instructional materials/activities to support the instruction of students with disabilities
* Assists in providing accommodations and modifications as written in the student's Individualized Education Program
* Assists students to reinforce material already presented through special efforts and repetitions; preparing and maintaining files and reports; as well as assisting with data collection
* Assists teacher(s) in performing specific duties as assigned or undertaking specialized tasks
* Assists in providing individual and small-group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students' abilities
* Assists in reinforcing and maintaining standards of student's behavior, created and implemented by the teacher
* Assists the teacher in creating an environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
* Assists the teacher to support individual or small groups of students with special needs instructionally, behaviorally, and at times physically to assist them in learning skills for life.
* Assists in caring for the cleanliness of the learning spaces by periodically washing dishes, wiping surfaces, laundry, refilling items, etc. (based on environmental needs in certain classrooms)
* Assists with instructing students on use of technology or augmentative communication devices
* Provides supervision in all areas of the school setting and assistance to children as necessary, as it pertains to physical and behavioral needs
* Checks students' work for compliance with teacher's instructions (i.e. provides feedback to the student on missed items, but does not do the work for the student).
* Assists students with content area skills (math, reading, writing, spelling, history, etc.), which may include reading aloud to the student
* Demonstrates confidentiality when maintaining individual records for each student.
* Helps maintain order in the classroom; monitors students to keep them on tasks as specified in the classroom teachers' behavior management plan or for individual student behavior plans
* Performs other duties as assigned
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects, and some medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, going up/down stairs, and repetitive motions (sometimes for extended periods of time); occasionally running may be required to keep students in proximity; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, and determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions and noise. This position may require training that enables the paraprofessional to lift/transfer students from one location to another, in order to assist with daily living needs/skills. In certain classrooms, this position may also require training that enables the paraprofessional to provide medical/self-care needs (i.e. hand washing, feeding, diapering, etc.)
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is primarily in a classroom setting: inside environment, exposure to illnesses such as colds and flu; classroom management needs of instructing and guiding multiple students; work environment is a combination of instruction to small groups and 1 on 1, multiple activities going on at once, quiet assignments and interactive assignments and on-going monitoring. Exposure to outside elements may occur during transitions, field trips, and recess.
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
SALARY: $22,366.80 - $37,721.69 annually; with benefits; commensurate with experience
BENEFITS:
Anthem Medical Plans - Multiple options available for comprehensive medical and prescription coverage
Ameritas Vision Plan - Coverage includes eye exams, lenses, frames, and contact lenses
Delta Dental Plan - FREE Delta Dental coverage for employees, spouses, and families
Carilion EAP - FREE Confidential Employee Assistance Program providing support for mental health, legal, financial concerns, and crisis support available to employees and their families
Generous Employee Leave Benefits - MCPS offers leave benefits for PT and FT employees, including paid sick leave, personal leave, funeral leave, and annual leave. Employees can also join a sick leave bank for extended medical absences, and earn wellness leave.
Virginia Retirement System (VRS) - Full-time employees are eligible for the VRS and enrolled in Group Life Insurance at no cost. MCPS contributes a certain percentage to your individual retirement account.
You may visit the link below for quick access to your employee benefits portal page. Look around to find your offered policy information, claim forms, search for a provider, and more.
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled
EEO Statement:
The Montgomery County School Board is an equal opportunity employer, committed to nondiscrimination in recruitment, selection, hiring, pay, promotion, retention, or other personnel action affecting employees or candidates for employment. Therefore, discrimination in employment against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, status as a veteran, and genetic information (including family medical history) is prohibited. Personnel decisions shall be based on merit and the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, when necessary. The Montgomery County School Board shall provide facilities, programs and activities that are accessible, usable and available to qualified disabled persons. Further, the Montgomery County School Board shall not discriminate against qualified disabled persons in the provision of health, welfare and other social services
The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies:
Director of Human Resources and Assistant Director of Human Resources
750 Imperial Street, SE, Christiansburg, VA 24073
(540) ###-####