2026 - 2027 SY Special Education Paraprofessional FT 10-month

Special Education Assistant / Special Education Assistant Rate of Pay: $23.27/hr Position Title: Special Education Assistant / Special Education Assistant

Floater, Learning Support (LS), Emotional Support (ES), Physical Support (PS), Autistic Support (AS), Life Skills Support (LSS), Multi- Disabilities Support (MDS), One on One), Behavior Modification Support (BMS)

Reports To: Classroom teacher, Special Education Dept. Head, Special Education Supervisor, Building principal

Position Goal: Under general supervision, provide assistance to special education teacher, performing a variety of tasks relating to the physical and instructional needs of disabled/impaired pupils in an educational setting; assists in the implementation of classroom programs including daily living skills, self-help and behavior management as well as instruction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Other duties may be assigned.
The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following fundamental duties:

• Assists the students in facilitating the building including entering or leaving transportation vehicles.
• Assists in promoting proper habits of behavior and carrying out the behavior plans prepared by the teacher, including the use of restraint.
• Helps in maintaining attendance records for assigned classrooms.
• Carries on drill activities initiated by the teacher.
• Listens to the students in recitation, reading, and other curriculum tasks, guiding and helping them.
• Maintains classroom appearance and orderliness.
• Under the supervision of the special education teacher, works with small groups of students or individuals to reinforce material introduced by the teacher.
• Help students to participate in the regular education program as directed by your partner teacher or supervisor. Work with regular and special education staff to provide necessary adaptations or supports that allow them to participate and engage in learning tasks.
• Lends assistance in the case of injury or illness among children.
• Duplicates printed material developed by the teacher.
• Helps with the physical care of students including, diapering, toileting, dressing, washing hands, and other hygiene habits as needed.
• Helps construct materials for training purposes.
• Performs simple errands and tasks for students such as sharpening pencils, carrying lunch trays and the like.
• Establishes as fully as possible a supportive and sympathetic relation with students without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee. The job description does not constitute an exhaustive list of responsibilities and that management may revise it at any time.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

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 may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or its equivalent. Associates degree or Credential of Competency. Some knowledge of children with mental, physical, and/or emotional/behavioral limitations. Ability to accept realistically the individual handicaps of children. Understand the emotional needs of children. Ability to develop skill in utilizing arts and crafts. Ability to follow detailed program plans and to change plans when necessary.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE:

• CPR and First aide Certification
• CPI certification may be requested by administration
• 20 hours of training each year
• Any additional training as requested by administration

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to follow written and verbal direction.
• Ability to read, write and do simple computations.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

MATHMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to do basic math skills with accuracy.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in prioritizing tasks.
• Ability to work under supervision and make appropriate work related decisions.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Must be courteous and able to deal effectively with people.
• Must be cooperative, congenial and service-oriented.
• Ability to work in an environment with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to organize classroom setting to efficiently accomplish tasks.

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 job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit at a desk/table for limited periods of time. Stand for limited/extended periods of time. The employee is frequently required to bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, and grasp. The employee may be required to lift up to 50 pounds. A 2 person technique may be needed for lifting over 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As per terms and conditions set forth in the contract between the School District of Reading and the Reading Educational Support Personnel Association.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the school district administrator designated as immediate supervisor of the position, of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned

The Reading School District is an equal opportunity, employment, educational and service organization.

JD – Special Education Assistant