Paraeducator II - Special Education

To establish an eligibility list to fillpart time vacancies and substitute assignments, 10 months per year (school year). The established eligibility list will remain in effect for six months.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THIS RECRUITMENT PROCESS: Applications are submitted no later than 11:59 pm. a week prior to the test. Tentativetest date: To be determined.

TESTING PROCESS:
A)Multiple Choice Test -weighting 40% on final score.Tentatively scheduled for: to be determined
B) Structured Interviews -weighting 60% on final score.Tentatively scheduled for:to be determined

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job posting by the application deadline in order to move forward in the testing process. Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to the multiple choice test. Those with the highest scores on the multiple choice test will be invited to the structured interview. The testing process is subject to change as needs dictate. All communication regarding this process will be delivered via email.

The information included in the Work Experience section of the application will determine whether applicants meet minimum qualifications. Please make sure you include ALL current and previous employment in the Work Experience section of the application and complete ALL fields.

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications arenot intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Summary
Provides specialized medical support to one or more students who are assigned to special programs who have acute or chronic health problems which require daily, ongoing care, or monitoring by trained personnel, according to established protocols and authorized by a licensed medical practitioner. Assists a teacher, specialist or therapist in providing instructional, behavior and therapeutic support to individual or small groups of special education students to enhance learning. Monitors and reports student progress.

Distinguishing Career Features
The Paraeducator II, Special Education provides routine health care assistance to students requiring special accommodations and services in addition to supporting curriculum. This is a specialized position trained by a licensed medical practitioner, or possessing an appropriate level of certification in health care (i.e. Certified Medical or Nursing Assistant, or higher). The incumbent must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to assist in integrating specialized health care services in an instructional setting. Advancement to this level usually comes from the Paraeducator ranks where the incumbent must work with special education populations and perform routine medical assistance. Advancement potential exists to higher levels of specialized support, which have unique titles, qualifications and/or require certification or a license.?

• Performs specialized physical health care services such as suctioning, colostomy, ileostomy care plus skin care, gastrostomy tube feeding, oral stimulation, catheterization, oxygen administration, inhalation therapy. Monitors bodily functions, recognizing and reporting changes in conditions. Administers medication as directed. Paraeducators II, Special Education assigned to a bus run suction students as needed and perform first aid as needed, while on the bus.
• Provides significant health care support to a nurse or other licensed professional. Assists with observation of symptoms, range of motion, and other physical movements. Performs limited range-of-motion therapy interventions based on physical and/or occupational therapist instructions.
• Assists in providing basic emergency care as needed, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation or other life sustaining efforts until medical assistance arrives. Reacts effectively to emergencies.
• Maintains a health awareness in the classroom and monitors students health daily. Properly uses and maintains a variety of medical and orthopedic supplies and equipment.
• Establishes and maintains daily documentation of specialized health care services and procedures. Maintains records and keeps current requests for treatment; may initiate and complete accident reports.
• Uses established universal precautions when working with students who may have chronic, contagious conditions to ensure personal and student safety.
• Attends and participates in a variety of trainings, meetings and workshops to maintain current knowledge which includes developments in the field of special education, health services and emergency crisis management.
• Assists in providing instructional support to individuals or small groups who have acute or chronic health problems in a variety of areas including cognitive, gross and fine motor skills, feeding, self-help and social skills. Works on an in-depth basis with individual or small groups of students to execute individual lesson plans and alternative strategies for maximizing learning experiences. Reinforces learning experiences for students. Assists teacher, specialist or therapist in assessing student ability and progress; provides information and discusses student daily activities, progress and needs.
• Assists students with personal hygiene and in developing self-help grooming skills as appropriate, such as dressing and undressing, eating, washing, oral care and toileting; assists in changing diapers as needed. Assists students in learning independent living skills such as walking safely to a destination, using public transportation and complying with traffic signals, proper money handling, and food purchasing.
• Lifts, moves and adjusts students, especially non-ambulatory students. Assists students onto and off of buses; Paraeducators assigned to a bus run assist in loading students on and unloading students off buses, and securing wheelchairs, car seats and students into position on the bus. Places students in standers, on wedges and in wheelchairs; positions students in splints, body jackets, braces, sideliners and adapted p.e. equipment as appropriate; assists in student positioning as necessary.
• Assists students in community based instruction; accompanies and assists students during the transporting and instruction in off-campus or community based settings. Escorts students, using public transportation or walking, to off-campus locations (such as libraries, parks, shopping malls and restaurants) to enhance student community awareness and to develop maximum independence and self-esteem. May train and assist students at job sites with duties and a variety of activities as necessary according to individual needs, and under the guidance and direction of a teacher, transitional assistant, or designated administrator.
• Organizes materials and supplies to facilitate use by students, assists students requiring help, offers positive feedback and alternatives, and cleans up work areas following projects. Assists with preparation of instructional and testing materials. Suggests and may prepare materials that offer alternative approaches to facilitate student learning.
• Assists in maintaining order among students in the classroom and school grounds. Assures safety of students following health and safety rules. Assists and supervises individual and groups of students in moving from place-to-place in an orderly manner, (i.e. school bus to classroom, classroom to restroom, lunch room, on playgrounds, on field trips and co-curricular activities). Paraeducators assigned to a bus run assist and supervise students while riding the bus to and from school.
• Exercises constant supervision of students; observes, monitors, and controls behavior of students within approved procedures. Uses appropriate discipline in accordance with grade level, student’s ability to understand discipline and approved procedures. Develops and uses incentives as positive reinforcement. Reports student behavior progress and performance to teachers; documents student progress, as needed.
• Confers, as needed, with teachers concerning student needs. Alerts teacher or school nurse to any special problems or information concerning students. Assists teachers and resource staff to develop and evaluate individual and group educational goals and objectives. Provides instructions, information and assistance to substitute teachers; participates in meetings and in-service training programs as assigned.
• Assists and guides students by providing appropriate role modeling, emotional support, patience, and a friendly and engaging attitude. Must observe confidentiality. Must be discrete in responding to student behaviors and educational needs whenever possible.
• Assists in maintaining a neat and orderly learning environment that supports learning. Performs a variety of classroom related clerical services such as maintaining charts and records, scoring and recording tests, preparing and storing instructional materials and equipment, copying instructional materials, operating office machines, including computer, copier and other audio-visual equipment. Assembles bulletin boards and other displays; arranges classroom for planned activities.
• Must be prepared to change routine or perform tasks normally done by another member of the school or classroom team upon request of the teacher, specialist and/or supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

• Education and Experience

The position requires graduation from high school or equivalent. Requires one year experience working with special education students in an organized setting or one year experience providing health care services in a hospital, skilled nursing, extended care or convalescent care setting. Successful completion of the district’s competency exam demonstrating knowledge of and the ability to assist in teaching reading, writing and mathematics (or readiness in those subject areas).

*Completion of 48 semester units at an institution of higher education, or an associate’s (or higher) degree, or a valid California Licensed Nurse (LVNorLPN), Physical Therapy Assistant or Occupational Therapy Assistant certification is highly desirable. Incumbents hired into this classification, and who have completed (and provided proof) of this level of education will be assigned as aParaeducatorII, Special Education at salary range 70.

• Licenses and Certificates

Requires valid first aid and CPR certification at time of application and throughout employment.

• Knowledge and Skills

The position requires: Knowledge of the principles and practices of age appropriate child development and guidance applicable for an educational setting, including those relating to special education and/or students who are medically fragile or who possess mobility impairments. Knowledge of the essential procedures and concepts related to health, safety, hygiene and patient care. Knowledge of the principles of body mechanics in transferring and providing personal care to non-ambulatory students. Knowledge of the basic subjects taught in the District schools, including mathematics and English usage, with sufficient competency to assist students with individual or group studies. Knowledge of safe practices in classroom and playground activities. Knowledge of teaching and instruction methods that enhance remedial learning. Basic knowledge of principles and techniques of discipline and behavior modification. Sufficient human relation skills to work productively and cooperatively with teachers, colleagues, students, and parents in formal and informal settings.

• Abilities

Requires the ability to: Learn and provide for the special needs, issues and requirements of disabled students. Assist teaching staff with implementation of instructional goals and activities in a classroom, small group or individual learning environment. Interact with teachers, specialists and colleagues in order to carry out assigned duties. Assist students in developing various self-help skills, including hygiene, eating, social, community and leisure/recreational skills. Successfully operate equipment related to medical needs of students after receiving appropriate training. Safely and skillfully perform the specialized health care services required. Recognize and respond to emergency and/or hazardous conditions. Assist in maintaining order among students in their assigned learning environment. Relate positively to students in a teaching/learning environment in a way that builds confidence, recognizes and works on learning disabilities and barriers. Exercise patience when conveying information, and demonstrate sensitivity to the special needs of students. Understand the principles of positive reinforcement as they apply to the management of students. Maintain confidentiality of student and school information. Learn and implement principles and techniques of discipline and behavior modification. Learn district regulations, policies and objectives applicable to assigned programs. Learn how to properly use and position specialized equipment and apparatus used for severely, physically, emotionally and multi-handicapped students. Setup and maintain records; prepare documentation and reports as needed. Operate instructional and office equipment.

• Physical Abilities

Requires the ability to perform in an indoor and/or outdoor learning environment engaged in work of primarily a sedentary to a moderately active nature. Requires near visual acuity to read and write printed materials and computer screens. Requires hearing and speech ability for ordinary and telephonic conversation, to speak to groups, and to hear sound prompts from equipment. Requires ambulatory ability to: move about office, classroom/laboratory, school grounds or other learning environment, to tutor, assist with presentations, and reach work materials. Requires sufficient manual and finger dexterity to demonstrate teaching aids, to point out important words/figures to students, and to operate personal computers. Requires the ability to lift, carry, push, and move supplies, equipment, wheelchairs, etc., of light to medium weight on a regular basis, and heavy weight with assistance or labor saving equipment.

• Licenses and Certificates

May require a valid California driver’s license.

• Working Conditions

Work is performed indoors and outdoors with some exposure to health and safety considerations from physical labor and exposure to body fluids.

Individuals protected by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) may request accommodation if needed. In order for appropriate arrangements to be made for testing, your request must be received at the time your application is submitted. If special arrangements are not requested at the time the application is submitted, it is understood that no special accommodations are required. Documentation on the need for accommodation must accompany your request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Simi Valley Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunity for all applicants for employment. The application, examination, and selection process shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital, pregnancy, or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.