Special Education Paraprofessional

Position Summary

The Paraprofessional / Individualized Learning Specialist provides direct support to students with individualized learning, behavioral, social-emotional, functional, and personal care needs in the school environment. This role supports students in general education and special education settings, including classrooms, small-group settings, recess, lunch, transitions, and other school-based activities.

The Paraprofessional works under the supervision and direction of a certificated Education Specialist, who provides training, oversight, and guidance. This role is responsible for helping implement accommodations, modifications, instructional supports, behavior plans, and individualized student supports aligned to students’ Individualized Education Programs.

The ideal candidate is patient, flexible, student-centered, and committed to helping all students access instruction, participate meaningfully in school, and make progress toward their academic, behavioral, and functional goals.

Essential Functions

Student Support and Instruction

• Provide individual and small-group support to students under the direction of the Education Specialist or special education case manager.
• Support students with academic, behavioral, social-emotional, functional, and personal care needs throughout the school day.
• Assist students in accessing grade-level instruction through accommodations, modifications, and individualized supports as outlined in their IEPs.
• Support students in general education and special education settings, including classrooms, recess, lunch, transitions, and other school activities.
• Help students work toward academic and functional goals outlined in their IEPs.
• Implement instructional strategies, accommodations, and modifications as directed by the Education Specialist, general education teacher, or IEP team.
• Record student data related to instructional programs, IEP goals, behavior plans, and student progress.
• Share student progress and observations with the Education Specialist, case manager, and appropriate school staff.

Behavior Support

• Implement positive behavior support strategies to promote student engagement, safety, and success.
• Support student behavior in a way that helps maintain a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment.
• Assist with the implementation of Behavior Support Plans and Behavior Intervention Plans, as appropriate.
• Collect and share behavior-related data and observations to support the development or adjustment of student behavior plans.
• Use proactive strategies to anticipate and respond to student needs.
• Provide support during behavioral escalation using approved school procedures, training, and the least restrictive approach possible.

Personal Care and Functional Support

• Support students with life skills and daily living needs, which may include toileting, diapering, hygiene, feeding, mobility, transitions, and other personal care needs.
• Assist students with adaptive and functional skills in a respectful, safe, and dignified manner.
• Follow student-specific plans, school procedures, and staff guidance when providing personal care or functional support.
• Maintain student confidentiality and professionalism when supporting personal or sensitive student needs.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with Education Specialists, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, school leaders, related service providers, and other staff members to ensure students receive consistent support.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues regarding student needs, progress, concerns, and supports.
• Partner with families, under the guidance of the Education Specialist or school team, to support student academic, behavioral, and social growth.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and student-centered staff culture.
• Participate in training, coaching, feedback, and professional development as assigned.

Our Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is:

• Student-centered, with a strong belief that all students can learn, grow, and succeed.
• Patient and compassionate, especially when supporting students with significant academic, behavioral, functional, or personal care needs.
• Reliable and professional, with strong follow-through and attention to detail.
• Collaborative, with the ability to work closely with teachers, Education Specialists, paraprofessionals, school leaders, families, and related service providers.
• Flexible and adaptable, with comfort working in a fast-paced school environment.
• Calm under pressure, with the ability to support students during challenging moments.
• Respectful and discreet, especially when supporting personal care needs and confidential student information.
• Passionate about working with children and committed to Rocketship’s mission.

Salary

Hourly pay for this role ranges from $21.00 to $26.00 per hour. Final hourly rate will be determined in accordance with the applicable salary schedule.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least two years of college coursework, associate degree, or passing score on Rocketship’s Paraprofessional Assessment.
• Ability to work under the direction of a certificated Education Specialist, teacher, or school leader.
• Ability to support students with academic, behavioral, social-emotional, functional, and personal care needs.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including tact, patience, professionalism, and courtesy.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when working with students and families.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, families, and school staff.
• Commitment to Rocketship Public Schools’ mission, vision, and goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with children in a school, childcare, youth development, special education, behavioral support, or related setting.
• Experience supporting students with disabilities.
• Experience implementing accommodations, modifications, behavior supports, or individualized student plans.
• Experience collecting student data or supporting progress monitoring.
• Experience supporting students with personal care, functional skills, or adaptive needs.
• Bilingual skills preferred, based on school community needs.

Physical Demands

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Compensation:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.

Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is abs