DEFINITION Under the supervision of the program administrator and the direction of a specific certificated staff member, performs the necessary duties to assist in the planning and implementation of a program for special needs children in classrooms, and perform a variety of supportive tasks to facilitate learning activities and life skill development. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Assists in planning and implementing learning experiences for students. - Helps students develop positive interpersonal relationships with peers and adults. - Assists in the observation and recording of student development and progress. - Supervises and/or participates in playground activities. - Assists in preparing, monitoring, and cleaning up program facilities. - Operates equipment necessary to program operation. - Performs clerical tasks, e.g. attendance reports, lunch count, and data keeping. - Functions as an appropriate/positive role model. - Attends required staff meetings and in-service training. - Assists in the preparation and maintenance of instructional materials. - Assists in the supervision of students at assigned tasks in and out of the classroom during normal duty hours. - May assist students with personal needs, i.e. feeding, toileting, ambulation. - May participate in I.E.P. team meetings. - May assist the teacher with holding and lifting students in and out of wheelchairs, braces, and other orthopedic equipment. - Provides necessary physical care and emotional support. - Displays calmness and control while dealing with behavioral problems and retraining “tantrumming behavior”. - Performs related work as required by job-specific position. - Provides non-routine specialized health care needs which do not require a health/instructional aide; i.e, toileting, administration of epi pen (bee sting) and monitorization of reaction and anaphylactic reaction procedure, hyper or hypoglycemic care for a diabetic (i.e. administration of juice or sugar substitute), assisting when a student has a seizure. Training will be provided as necessary. - Maintains confidentiality of student information in accordance with legal requirements and policies. - Maintains positive working relationships and communication with CCOE, district staff and community agency staff. - Implements the vision, mission, policies, administrative regulations and practices of the County Superintendent of Schools and the County Board of Education. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: - Child growth and development principles. - Academic instruction/behavioral management. - First Aid. - Health care procedures. Training provided for specialized health care needs which do not require a health aide. - Training for CPR certification provided as needed. Ability to: - Apply techniques to handle tantruming behavior and assist physically and severely handicapped students in movement and specialized health care procedures. - Work effectively with disabled students. - Follow confidentiality laws and guidelines. - Understand and carry out oral and written instructions. - Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in course of work. - Operate necessary program equipment. - Maintain accurate records. - Elicit optimum student performance. - Maintain positive attitude toward, and control of students. DESIRABLE SKILLS - First Aid. - One year of child/youth related experience or equivalent training. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE - High school diploma or equivalent, with additional training in child development or special education is desirable. - Demonstrate competency in academic skills such as reading, writing, computation and ability to assist. (NCLB Compliance). PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Employees in this position must have the ability to: - Sit for extended periods of time. - Enter data into a computer terminal/typewriter, operate standard office equipment, and use a telephone. - See and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids. - Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone. - Speak so that others may understand at normal levels and on the telephone. - Require the mobility to stand, stoop, reach and bend. - May require the ability to assist in lifting or moving students who weigh up to 50 pounds; some positions shall be required to use a multi-person lift and learn the use of mechanical lifting equipment to lift or move pupils who may weigh in excess of 50 pounds or a pupil of any weight who may present other lifting problems LICENSE REQUIRED Possession of a valid and appropriate California driver's license. SALARY LEVEL Calaveras County Special Education Paraeducators - Range 6, 6X with NCLB compliance, 6AA with Associates Degree from accredited college, or 6BA with BA/BS from accredited college.