Job Title: Special Education Paraprofessional
Location: Saginaw Public Schools
Position Type: Support Staff
Date Available: 2025–26 School Year
Closing Date: Until Filled
General Summary:
Saginaw Public Schools Special Education Paraprofessionals are responsible for assisting in the supervision and instruction of special education students under the direction of a teacher. This role requires the ability to accept supervision, work creatively with students, and maintain physical stamina for lifting and movement of ambulatory students. Paraprofessionals must demonstrate emotional stability and sound judgment in decision-making.
District-Wide Performance Standards:
The School District of the City of Saginaw, in partnership with parents, students, businesses, and the community, is committed to ensuring the highest level of academic achievement and career planning for all students, the highest-performing organizational structure at all levels, and a safe and effective learning environment for all students.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
-
Knowledge of instructional procedures and practices
-
Knowledge of child development and learning styles
-
Knowledge of age-appropriate activities
-
Knowledge of behavior patterns and developmental limitations of special education students
-
Skilled in operating classroom equipment, including relevant software
-
Skilled in using equipment for the care and handling of students with disabilities
-
Skilled in accurate record keeping
-
Skilled in maintaining composure under pressure
-
Skilled in verbal and written communication
-
Ability to assist students with challenging behaviors
-
Ability to maintain confidentiality and adapt to interruptions
-
Ability to follow complex, multi-step written and oral instructions
-
Ability to develop rapport with students, staff, parents, and the school community in a multicultural, urban setting
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and/or walk, sit, lift, carry, push and/or pull up to 10 lbs., stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Duties and Responsibilities:
-
Adapt classroom activities, assignments, and materials under teacher supervision
-
Support instructional activities with students as directed by the classroom teacher
-
Provide appropriate health and hygiene-related assistance
-
Confer with the teacher to evaluate student progress and implement IEP objectives
-
Assist with behavior plans outlined in IEPs
-
Provide one-on-one or small group instruction
-
Monitor student activities and behavior in class and during lunch, recess, or field trips
-
Perform clerical and recordkeeping duties
-
Assist with feeding assigned students if needed
-
Report incidents of unacceptable behavior
-
Respond to emergency situations to ensure student safety
-
Support other staff as needed
-
Perform other duties as assigned
Education and/or Experience:
-
High school graduate or equivalent
-
A minimum of 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university, or a passing score of 460 or higher on the ETS Paraprofessional Assessment
-
Previous experience working with special education students is preferred
Special Requirements:
Working Conditions:
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Fiscal Responsibilities:
None
Curricula Responsibilities:
Assist the teacher in delivering instructional objectives for a given subject and/or classroom as developed by the building for special education students.
Method of Evaluation:
Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with Board policy on personnel evaluation.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Saginaw Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender/sex, age, disability, height, weight, marital status, or lack of English language speaking skills, in its programs.
