The Aspen School District seeks a Preschool Special Education Paraprofessional for SY 2024-2025

Position Title: Preschool Special Education Paraprofessional II

Department: Student Services

Reports to: Student Services Assistant Director and Preschool Director

Classification: Classified (ESP) Full-time Non-Exempt

Contract Period: 9 Month (185 days with some variance depending on the year)

Compensation: $25.50 - $31.70 per hour DOE

ASD offers district-funded employee and dependent health benefits including medical, vision, dental, and life insurance to benefit-eligible employees. Other benefits include (as eligible): paid leave, CO PERA (pension plan) enrollment with district contribution, TSA options, free transportation for employees from Carbondale to Aspen, employee assistance program, wellness program (can be used for highly reduced or free ski pass), and supplemental insurance (i.e. cancer, disability, etc).

I: Position Summary

• The Preschool Special Education Paraprofessional supports preschool students with special needs academically, socially, and physically in a variety of environments. This position requires the ability to support educational programming as well as advanced communication and collaboration skills. 

II: Position Responsibilities

Preschool Special Education Paraprofessional Responsibilities:

• Collaborates and consults with regular and special education teachers and related service personnel to plan, organize, and implement specific assignments and activities in accordance with IEP goals and providing and/or modifying instruction/curriculum
• Follows daily schedule and school procedures, as well as implements student programming, as directed by cooperating special education teachers and administrators. Daily supervision provided by special education teacher(s)
• Monitors student behavior, intervening when appropriate and supporting the student while working individually or in small groups
• Performs toileting duties, personal care, and feeding that may be required for students
• Maintains accurate documentation of activities, student progress, and behavior modification plans
• Helps design and implement communication tools that allow for good information exchange
• Participates in professional development/continuing education programs as required/recommended by the school administrator and/or Director of Student Services
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of:
• Professional communication norms and standards (written and oral)
• Modern office procedures and methods
• Principles and procedures of record-keeping
• Microsoft Office and/or the Google Suite of office software

• Ability to:
• Demonstrate responsibility and consistency of attendance required for work with students
• Work with efficiency with attention to detail
• Demonstrate flexibility for the environment that may require a change of schedule and/or student activities
• Maintain confidentiality of information
• Work cooperatively with administrators and staff
• Observe all district policies and procedures
• Observe all general safety rules, carefully observing correct lifting procedures
• May be asked to supervise students
• Communicate clearly and concisely in English both orally and in writing 

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Current CPR/First Aid certificate (may be obtained within 6 months after hiring)
• Crisis intervention training annually
• Successful completion of Project Para (or comparable course) within the first year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree
• At least one year experience in preschool special education environment or related field
• Spanish bilingual 

 Work Environment

• Classroom setting
• Office environment; exposure to computer screens
• Mostly clean and comfortable surroundings
• Exposure to noise and bodily fluids

Essential Physical Requirements

• Physical: Reaching, walking, standing, sitting, typing, talking, crouching, kneeling, occasional climbing and crawling, seeing, and hearing. Lifting up to 50 lbs.

Acknowledgment

The successful candidate will be required to follow any instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Director. The Aspen School District reserves the right to update, revise, or change the job description and related duties at any time.