Job: Substitute Paraprofessional

Job Description

Job Type: Temporary/As Needed, Hourly

Wage: $17.17/hr.

Location: Florence, CO.

Job Description:

POSITION OVERVIEW: Fremont RE-2 School District is seeking dependable, flexible, and student-centered individuals to serve as Substitute Paraprofessionals throughout the District.

The Substitute Paraprofessional provides classroom, instructional, and student-support services in the absence of the regularly assigned paraprofessional or when additional substitute support is needed.

Under the direction of licensed teachers and building staff, Substitute Paraprofessionals assist in maintaining a safe, supportive, respectful, and productive learning environment. Assignments may include supporting individual students, small groups, classrooms, or school programs in general education, special education, and other educational settings.

Substitutes may choose whether to accept available assignments; however, once an assignment is accepted, the substitute is expected to report as scheduled, fulfill the assignment, and follow all applicable District, building, classroom, and student-support expectations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional and Classroom Support

• Provide instructional and classroom support under the direction of licensed staff.
• Assist individual students and small groups with classroom activities, assignments, and skill development.
• Reinforce concepts and skills introduced by the classroom teacher.
• Assist with instructional materials, classroom organization, and learning activities.
• Follow lesson plans, classroom procedures, schedules, and directions provided for the assignment.
• Encourage student participation, responsibility, independence, and positive learning behaviors.
• Support students in general education, special education, intervention, independent learning, and other assigned settings.
• Use classroom technology, instructional materials, and District resources appropriately as directed.

Student Supervision and Support

• Provide active and appropriate supervision of students throughout the accepted assignment.
• Supervise students in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, playgrounds, arrival and dismissal areas, assemblies, field trips, and other assigned school settings.
• Assist students with transitions between classrooms, activities, and other school environments.
• Reinforce classroom and school expectations for behavior, safety, responsibility, and respect.
• Use positive, respectful, and developmentally appropriate approaches when working with students.
• Support established classroom-management and student-support strategies.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students at all times.
• Seek assistance from licensed staff or administration when a student's needs exceed the substitute's assigned responsibilities or level of training.

SPECIALIZED STUDENT SUPPORT

Depending on the assignment, a Substitute Paraprofessional may support students with a variety of academic, behavioral, communication, physical, adaptive, or special education needs.

Assignment-specific responsibilities may include:

• Supporting accommodations, modifications, or student-specific strategies under the direction of licensed staff.
• Assisting with established behavioral supports or Behavior Intervention Plans.
• Providing individualized or increased student supervision.
• Assisting students with mobility, positioning, or adaptive equipment.
• Assisting with personal-care needs when required by the assignment and when appropriately trained.
• Supporting established student health or safety procedures under the direction of appropriate staff.

Substitutes will not be expected to independently perform specialized duties for which they have not received appropriate direction, training, or authorization.

STUDENT SAFETY

• Maintain awareness of student location, behavior, and safety while providing supervision.
• Follow District, building, classroom, and student-specific safety procedures.
• Promptly report injuries, accidents, behavioral concerns, threats, or other student-safety issues to appropriate staff.
• Follow school emergency procedures and participate appropriately in drills and emergency response.
• Comply with mandatory reporting requirements regarding suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Report concerns involving bullying, harassment, discrimination, threats, inappropriate conduct, or other student-safety concerns through appropriate District channels.
• Follow established procedures regarding student behavior, de-escalation, and crisis response.
• Do not use physical intervention or specialized safety procedures unless appropriately trained and authorized.

COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION

• Work cooperatively with teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, specialists, and other school staff.
• Follow directions provided by licensed teachers and building administration.
• Communicate relevant student observations, concerns, incidents, or needs to appropriate staff.
• Maintain professional and respectful communication with students, employees, families, and community members.
• Refer parent/guardian questions regarding grades, instruction, discipline, student services, or other professional decisions to the appropriate teacher or administrator.
• Ask questions or seek clarification when assignment expectations or student-support procedures are unclear.
• Contribute positively to the school environment and support teamwork, inclusion, and student success.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain confidentiality regarding student academic, behavioral, disability, health, disciplinary, and family information.
• Follow FERPA, District policies, and applicable student privacy requirements.
• Access and discuss student information only as necessary to perform the accepted assignment.
• Maintain professional boundaries and appropriate staff/student relationships.
• Use District-approved methods of communication with students and families.
• Demonstrate professionalism, dependability, patience, flexibility, and sound judgment.
• Arrive on time and remain for the entire accepted assignment unless otherwise approved.
• Follow Fremont RE-2 Board policies, administrative procedures, building expectations, and substitute procedures.
• Perform other duties reasonably related to the substitute assignment as directed by the Building Principal, classroom teacher, or appropriate District staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must:

• Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalent.
• Demonstrate the ability to appropriately supervise and interact with students.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to follow written and verbal directions.
• Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively with teachers, administrators, and support staff.
• Demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, dependability, patience, and sound judgment.
• Maintain student confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Be willing to work with students with a variety of academic, behavioral, developmental, communication, physical, and individual needs.
• Be willing to complete required District or assignment-specific training as applicable.
• Successfully complete all required pre-employment criminal history screening and fingerprinting.
• Meet any additional federal, state, or District qualification requirements applicable to a specific assignment.

Additional Qualifications When Applicable

Certain instructional assignments may be subject to additional federal, state, or District paraprofessional qualification requirements. The District will determine whether additional qualifications are required based on the school, program, funding source, and duties of the assignment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference may be given to candidates with:

• Previous experience working with children or adolescents.
• Previous school, educational, child care, or youth-support experience.
• Experience providing classroom or instructional support.
• Experience working with students with disabilities or diverse learning needs.
• Experience supporting positive student behavior.
• College coursework related to education, child development, psychology, or a related field.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of an accepted assignment, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Assignments may require the ability to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Sit, bend, kneel, squat, reach, push, or pull as needed.
• Move throughout classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, cafeterias, and other school environments.
• Actively supervise students indoors and outdoors.
• Move quickly when necessary to respond to student or safety needs.
• Move classroom materials, instructional supplies, and equipment.
• Assist students with mobility or other physical needs when required by the assignment and appropriately trained.
• Work in environments that may include moderate noise, frequent interruptions, outdoor weather conditions, bodily fluids, or unpredictable student behavior.
• Respond appropriately to student injuries, behavioral concerns, or emergency situations.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Substitute Paraprofessional positions are temporary, on-call, and as-needed. Available assignments are based on District and building substitute needs.

Substitutes may choose whether to accept available assignments. There is no guarantee of a minimum number of hours, days, assignments, or continued availability of substitute work.

Accepted assignments may vary by:

• School
• Grade level
• Classroom
• Program
• Length of workday
• Student-support needs
• Duties of the regularly assigned paraprofessional

Once an assignment is accepted, the Substitute Paraprofessional is expected to report as scheduled and perform the duties associated with the assignment within the substitute's training and authorization.

This job description describes the general nature and level of substitute paraprofessional work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every responsibility or duty that may reasonably be associated with an assignment.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Standard Substitute Rate: $17.17 per hour

Long-Term Classified Substitute Assignments: Beginning on the 5th consecutive day in the same position, the substitute's pay changes from the standard classified substitute rate to the applicable base rate for the classified position being covered. If the consecutive assignment ends or the substitute begins covering a different position, compensation will be administered in accordance with District substitute pay procedures.

Additional Substitute Support

• Substitute Paraprofessionals working a full-day assignment receive a complimentary lunch through Nutrition Services.
• Substitute employees are not eligible for District-sponsored health insurance benefits based solely on substitute status.
• Applicable leave and other employment rights are provided in accordance with law and District procedures.
• Colorado PERA, Medicare, and other payroll deductions or participation will be administered as applicable.

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all District-required pre-employment requirements, including fingerprint-based criminal history screening.

Additional screenings may be required in accordance with District procedures or applicable law.

FREMONT RE-2 SCHOOL DISTRICT

Growing a Destination District with Intent, Purpose and Pride

WE ARE ONE

One Team. One Mission. One Future.

Fremont RE-2 School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, age, disability, need for special education services, genetic information, pregnancy or childbirth status, or other status protected by law in admission, access to, treatment or employment in its educational programs or activities.  Additionally, a lack of English language skills is not a barrier to admission or participation in activities. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. William Wilson, Superintendent, and EEO/Affirmative Action/Title IX/Section 504 Compliance Officer for complaints involving employees, and Jason Cellan, Title IX Compliance Officer for complaints involving students.  Both individuals can be located at 403 W. 5th Street, Florence, Colorado, 81226. (719) 784-6312.  Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. (Policy AC, AC-R, AC-E-1, AC-E-2)