WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT

POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

AREA: Paraeducator (Special Education)

 

REPORTS TO: Principal/Director of Student Services

 

Whitefish School District seeks a Paraeducator (Special Education) to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. With the support of our community, Whitefish School District creates an educational environment where each student can reach their academic potential, prepare for career opportunities, and become engaged citizens.

 

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT:

Provides assistance to administrative and instructional personnel in teaching and promoting a positive learning, working environment.  Performs a variety of instructional activities; assists in the conduct of training and learning activities with children experiencing special learning needs; performs a variety of routine clerical and supportive activities for instructional personnel; and performs other related work as assigned.  Assists special education teacher, students with special needs, and accompanies students to classes as needed. All duties are to be undertaken in alignment with the District’s Strategic Plan, putting the safety, health, and well-being of students at the forefront of all actions and decisions. 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Certification

• Minimum 2 years of college coursework (60 units) or an Associate’s degree in education or a related field.
• Demonstrated proficiency in assisting with reading, writing, and math instruction.

Experience & Technical Skills

• Professional Background: Proven experience as a paraeducator (Title I, Special Ed, or General) or in a childcare/educational setting.
• Instructional Support: Knowledge of child development, special education goals, basic arithmetic, and the ability to operate teaching aids and office equipment.
• Administrative: Demonstrated proficiency in routine clerical tasks, time management, and maintaining strict confidentiality of student records.

Behavioral & Interpersonal Strengths

• Student Engagement: A patient, warm, and receptive approach toward children with special needs.
• Adaptability: Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and follow complex oral/written instructions.
• Collaboration: Skill in maintaining cooperative relationships with students and staff.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to):

Instructional Support & Academic Intervention

• Implement IEPs: Deliver remedial instruction and tutoring (individual or small group) as designed by special education teachers and Individualized Education Programs.
• Material Development: With the specific direction of the special education teachers, prepare, adapt, and present instructional materials, learning aids, and displays to meet diverse student needs.
• Academic Monitoring: Assist with drills, reading exercises, and testing; accurately score and record student progress.

Student Supervision & Behavioral Management

• Safety & Oversight: Supervise students across all settings, including classrooms, playgrounds, bus duty, and field trips.
• Behavioral Support: Apply positive reinforcement and de-escalation strategies to manage impulsive or physically aggressive behaviors safely.
• Social Modeling: Shape appropriate social interactions and maintain high expectations for student conduct and discipline.

Specialized Care & Personal Support

• Direct Care: Assist students with personal hygiene, medical needs, and physical handicapping conditions.
• Crisis Response: Monitor for physical distress and request emergency assistance when necessary.
• Developmental Awareness: Apply knowledge of child growth and varied disabilities to provide a patient, receptive learning environment.

Administrative & Professional Operations

• Clerical Duties: Maintain organized student records, perform routine office tasks, and operate educational equipment.
• Environmental Management: Ensure the classroom remains orderly, attractive, and conducive to learning.
• Team Collaboration: Participate in planning processes, preparing sub plans, and training as a member of the instructional team.

Professionalism & Communication

• Compliance: Adhere to Board Policy, maintain strict confidentiality, and follow supervisor directives.
• Soft Skills: Demonstrate effective time management, mathematical accuracy, and professional oral/written communication with staff.  Redirect all communication with parents to certified staff members.

EQUIPMENT USED: A variety of electronic and technology devices, copier, telephone/voice mail, fax, special needs equipment including wheelchairs, lifts, etc. 

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside but may be assigned to outside activities. The employee must be able to meet deadlines with severe time constraints. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, walk, and stand; twist at neck, bend at waist; kneel; reach. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to be able to hear conversations in quiet environments. May be required to lift or move up to 25 pounds. 

 

MENTAL/MOTOR DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee rarely performs routine work. The employee frequently exercises flexibility (ability to shift from one task to another). Guidance and reinforcement are usually available. The employee frequently works within time constraints and maintains attentiveness intensity. The employee is frequently involved in social interactions which require oral and written communications. The physical demands, work-environment characteristics, and mental/motor demands described within this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations shall be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Employed for prescribed term, salary, benefits and other working conditions to be determined by District Policy, Federal and State Law as well as appropriate funding from state, federal, and/or passage of levies.

 

For those classified employees employed under a written contract for a specified term, nothing contained in this job description shall create a property right beyond the specified duration of the employment contract

 

EVALUATION:

Performance of said duties will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's Policy on Evaluation of Classified Personnel.

Updated 2/26