Job Details

Alternative Education Paraeducator

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students.

Before you begin, please read the position description below carefully and review our application instructions. Be sure your application reflects experience and education to meet any minimum qualifications listed on the job description. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. More details about application requirements are found below. Please note that application submission will be available only through the indicated end date.

Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.

Description

Working under the general supervision of the principal or assistant principal, the Alternative Education Paraeducator provides assistance in implementing plans and programs related to skill attainment for students in academics and social-emotional growth. The AEP works directly with students, individually or in small groups, supports instructional staff and provides clerical assistance as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.

Education: High School Diploma/GED Equivalent (must scan and upload diploma or official transcript to online application). Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization. For a list of approved vendors, please click here.

Additional Requirements for Title I School Wide Program Schools: High School Diploma/GED Equivalent and a pass score on the ParaPro Assessment. Alternatively, 48 college credits or more from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with students in a K-12 setting.
• A background in education.
• Prior experience working with children with lagging social-emotional skills.
• Training and experience in using the Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI), or a similar framework, when intervening with behavioral issues.

Essential Position Responsibilities

The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

• Works with the Alternative Education teacher to provide academic and social-emotional support, to identified students with Alternative Education (AE) services within their assigned classes, in small groups, or individually.
• Assists teachers in tracking individual student performance, including data collection and data review.
• Assists Alternative Education teachers with academic and behavioral interventions through the implementation of Student Support Plans (SSPs).
• Provides information to assist the Alternative Education teacher in evaluation of individual student needs and progress.
• Reviews and reinforces instruction presented by teachers and provides supplementary instruction.
• Supervises and monitors students throughout the school day.
• Assists teachers in planning and implementing lessons and learning experiences.
• Monitors student transitions throughout the school day, upon arrival and departure, in the cafeteria and/or on the playground.
• Performs various clerical functions to include, but not limited to, maintaining case management records, preparing instructional materials, etc.
• Conducts observations, collects data, and provides information to appropriate staff.
• With appropriate supervision, assists in teaching communication skills, implementing student social-emotional and learning programs through use of behavior modification and crisis intervention strategies.
• Assists with social-emotional skill development groups (Conflict Resolution, Social Skills, etc.).
• Attends professional learning sessions targeted to meet the specific academic, communication and social-emotional needs of students.
• Member of Student Services Team (SST). Attends problem-solving team meetings, such as IIT or SST, and grade level team meetings, as assigned, during the scheduled workday.
• Assists in planning students schedules and programs.
• Works in collaboration with other Students Services staff.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.

• Knowledge of child development, instructional strategies and practices applicable to assignment and instructional goals and policies of Howard County Public School System.
• Ability to assist with implementation of the instructional program and to participate in monitoring and ensuring appropriate student behavior.
• Ability to exhibit patience and to work effectively with children, young adults, and staff members.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions in order to perform all required tasks.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, in both written and oral forms.
• Ability to use basic knowledge of technology and keyboarding to support student learning, including application of basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to work with small groups of students and assist with instruction.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Follow the directions of the teacher, which may include reinforcing instruction presented by the teacher.
• Teach and model appropriate social-emotional behaviors.
• Demonstrate flexibility to work with students, staff, parents, and administration.
• Demonstrate strong human relations skills. (This position will involve consistent contact and interaction with administrators, co-workers, school staff, students, parents, and the community).
• Demonstrate knowledge of, or willingness to learn, high school curricular content in order to provide supplementary instruction and assist students with their work (High School Paraeducators only).

Additional Requirements

Working Environment: School buildings, classrooms, community, and/or outdoor setting under a variety of weather conditions. Exposure to high pitched/louder verbalizations by students, bodily fluids, students with more challenging behavior, etc. May be required to assist with students exhibiting challenging behaviors including implementing a continuum of positive behavior supports. May require customized training to accommodate the special needs of students.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to frequently lift and/or carry 50-75 pounds with assistance. Physical ability to work around children including standing and sitting, in a chair and/or on the floor, for extended periods of time. Physical ability to complete bending, pushing/pulling, walking, running, kneeling, twisting, squatting, crouching, overhead and above shoulder reaching movements. Must be able to use hands and fingers to operate standard office as well as student devices/equipment or classroom equipment. Must be able to actively monitor and respond to students who elope from the classroom, school building, or other emergency situations. Including the ability to move quickly towards students who may elope from an assigned area. Requires visual acuity to read and write printed materials and observe the activities of children. Ability to hear, with or without use of hearing aid(s), sufficient to hear any conversation with others. The person selected for this position must meet all requirements of the physical examination administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education.

Working Hours: The duty day for a full-time position is 7.5 hours per day including an unpaid, thirty-minute, duty-free lunch. Must be able to accommodate a flexible schedule and change of location, as needed.

Application Requirements

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Selection Criteria

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.

Employment Information

This is a 10-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. This position is salary Grade VI on the Secretaries and Assistants salary scale. Paraeducators working in Title I Program Schools will receive an additional $0.25 per hour. Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA-ESP Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime.

Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and