Position Type: Support Staff/Paraprofessional
LOCATION: Meridian Elementary School
The following support personnel position is for the 2024-2025 school year.
DESCRIPTION: School-Term Paraprofessional (Several Needed)
LOCATION: Meridian Elementary School and Meridian Junior High School
HOURS/CALENDAR: Starting as soon as possible following Meridian School Calendar (Approx. 6 hours per day, Monday-Friday, with (1) paid 15 min. break and (1) unpaid 30 min. lunch.
QUALIFICATIONS: Associates Degree or greater or two (2) years of Qualifying College Credit or favorable score on the ETS Paraprofessional Test.
RATE OF PAY: Starting at $14.25 per hour with Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays. Per Master Agreement between Meridian Public Schools Board of Education and the Meridian-Michigan Education Support Personnel Assoc. for Paraprofessional.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: UNTIL POSITION FILLED
NOTE: Any applicant recommended for hire for any position will be required to consent to a criminal history investigation and back assessment, if required by job description.
SUMMARY: Supports students with special needs through strategies such as but not limited to observation, supervision, encouragement, redirecting, organizing, reading aloud, and tutoring, assists teachers with conducting lessons, managing the classroom, and developing materials, supervises the halls, cafeteria, and playground.
REPORTS TO: Building Principal, and/or Assistant Principal
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.
- Maintains excellent personal hygiene and professional dress.
- Possesses and maintains an excellent attendance record.
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To provide instruction to students under the meaningful direction and supervision of certified teacher, case manager, and/or other certified staff.
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To provide non-instructional services to students such as, but not limited to; student mobility, general health and safety, loading/unloading buses, monitoring lunch room, playground, and other uninstructed time.
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Supports students with special needs through strategies such as but not limited to observation, supervision, and encouragement, redirecting, organizing, reading aloud, scribing, and tutoring.
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Effectively supervises halls, classrooms, cafeterias, playground, and other school grounds via proactive and reactive measures such as but not limited to observation, proximity, conversations with students and staff, and disciplinary actions as outlined by the Dean of Students and/or building administrator(s).
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Ensures compliance with State and Federal laws such as but not limited to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
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To keep all parent, student, and staff information confidential.
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To have a positive attitude in working with students, parents, other staff members, and community members who visit Meridian Public Schools facilities or programs.
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Collaborates and communicates with building staff.
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Interacts in a positive and respectful manner with diverse personalities of students, staff, and parents, using patience and good judgement.
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Will provide direct and or stand by assistance for feeding, toileting, and health care related services, etc. as legally allowable.
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Problem solves student issues individually as well as in collaboration with building staff.
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Effectively communicates with students, the Dean of Students, building administrators, and other building staff.
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Relays relevant information about students and/or their actions to classroom teacher, caseload provider, and/or building administrator(s).
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Willingness to participate in training and professional development.
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Responsible for med billing when assigned student requires it.
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Documents necessary data as assigned by the caseload provider or building administrator(s).
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Other duties and tasks as assigned by the caseload manager, classroom teachers, Dean of Students, and building administrator(s).
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required Reasonable accommodations must be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Earned a high school diploma or general education degree (GED).
- Ability to pass ETS Paraprofessional Exam or hold an associate’s degree.
- Demonstrated aptitude or competence for assigned responsibilities.
- Physical ability to perform assigned job duties.
- Exemplifies excellent teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills.
- Ability to positively communicate with staff, students and community members.
- Ability to interact in a positive and respectful manner with diverse personalities of students, staff, parents, and other community members using patience and good judgement.
- Ability to communicate in a positive and respectful manner with diverse personalities of students, staff, and parents, using patience and good judgement.
- Ability to collaborate with building staff.
- Ability to problem solve daily issues.
- Ability to utilize computers for job functions (e.g. spreadsheets, e-mail system).
- Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
Language Skills:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before small groups of employees of organization.
Mathematical Skills:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Associates Degree or ETS Paraprofessional Exam Certification
Other Skills and Abilities:
Ability to pass a district written and physical test. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Duties include, but are not limited to the following:
- Is able to determine what is needed to complete assigned tasks and skillfully and efficiently uses time and resources to execute those tasks.
- Is available for any work assignment as deemed necessary to provide students assigned a safe learning environment.
- Possesses knowledge of safe work habits and practices same.
- Ability to lift 40 pounds.
- Reports to the proper authority any unsafe or dangerous conditions existing on school properties or within the buildings and any irregular activity.
- May be asked to present a record of tasks accomplished daily.
- Continually attempts to increase his/her skills and knowledge of assigned students.
- Trains other paraprofessional staff in job duties when needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned by building level administrator or Dean of Students.
