Position Purpose:
Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties, when necessary.

Essential Job Functions:  This description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities associated with this position.  It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility

• Act as instructional liason for students who require signed interventions.
• Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
• Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
• Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
• Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
• Constructs, copies and distribute and use educational materials as needed.
• Assists teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.
• Participates in IEP process and serves as resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
• Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or special needs.
• Maintains a regular and predictable attendance history while employed by the district.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by building and/or district administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment:
Uses standard school and office equipment such as personal computers, printers, copy and fax machines, and telephones.

Travel Requirements:
Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of American Sign Language, Signed Exact English or other forms of manual communication.
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Works in standard school building environment.
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.

• For a complete list of the physical and mental demands needed to perform the essential functions for this position, please see the Summary of Physical, Sensory, and Environmental Requirements.

Qualification Profile:

• Certification:  Successful completion of all paraprofessional requirements.
• Education: 
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of college level coursework and/or prior employment serving Deaf and/or hearing impaired students.
• Experience:  Successful prior experience working with special needs children preferred.

FLSA Status:  Non-exempt