Paraeducator - Opener

JOB SUMMARY

A Paraeducator serves typically developing children and children with developmental disabilities in a pre-school setting aged 2 years (24 months) to 5 years. The person in this role aids in the classroom with duties that include feeding, diapering, toileting, participating in activities/games and housekeeping duties. This is a part-time position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (RESPONSIBILITIES):

• Assists the Teacher in providing a warm and nurturing environment in which the children can grow.
• Assesses the child's day to day strengths and needs through observation and maintains records as required.
• Provides input to classroom planning, both long term and short term.
• Maintains open communication with Teacher, parents, and other staff members.
• Complies with Agency and departmental safety policies and procedures.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.
• Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds in person.
• Ability to determine and identify items and children in the periphery, near, and far visual fields.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 1 year working with special needs children or children aged 2 to 5 years preferred.
• Valid CPR and First Aid certification required.
• Maintain a minimum of 16 Kansas Department Health and Environment (KDHE) approved training hours annually by attending staff trainings.

SKILLS:

• Ability to read and write the English language.
• Ability to perform work tasks within the physical demand requirements as outlined below.

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

STATUS: Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 9:30 am

WORK PACE: Self-paced, requiring the ability to think and act quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced, demanding work environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: This position operates in a classroom setting both indoors and outdoors.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Sitting: 1 - 2 hours in an 8-hour work shift. Alternates to standing on a frequent basis.

Standing: 4 - 6 hours in an 8-hour work shift. Alternates to sitting on a frequent basis

Walking: 1/2 - 1 hour in an 8-hour work shift.

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FREQUENCY: Never = 0% Rarely = 1 - 10% Occasionally = 11 - 33% Frequently = 34 - 66% Continuously = 67 + %

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LIFTING:

WEIGHT FREQUENCY OBJECTS

1 - 10 lbs. Continuously Toys, chairs, files, etc.

11 - 20 lbs. Continuously Equipment, children, supplies

21 - 50 lbs. Frequently Equipment, children, supplies

CARRYING:

WEIGHT FREQUENCY OBJECTS

1 - 10 lbs. Continuously Toys, chairs, files, etc.

11 - 20 lbs. Continuously Equipment, children, supplies

21 - 50 lbs. Frequently Equipment, children, supplies

Pushing: Continuously- Required to push children in wheelchairs on a continuous basis.

Bending: Continuously

Squatting: Continuously

Kneeling: Continuously

Crawling: Continuously

Climbing: Rarely - stairs (Frequently for multi-level facilities)

Grasping: Continuously

Reaching: Continuously

Fine Manipulation: Continuously