Need Special Education Paraprofessional (2023-2024 School Year) [Immediate Start] in Denver, CO

Job title: Special Education Paraprofessional (2023-2024 School Year) [Immediate Start]
Company: DSST Public Schools
Job description: WHO WE ARE

At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to be the largest and highest-performing network of public charter schools in Denver and Aurora with 100% of our students having been accepted into college or post secondary programs since our inception in 2004. When you join DSST, you play a part in ensuring ALL students at our 16 schools have access to a transformational and joyful education. We encourage you to visit our to learn more about why we?ve been selected as the 2018 Broad Prize Winner and as a Denver Post ?Top Place to Work?.

Not interested right now but might be in the future, or want to learn about other positions? Complete our to connect with a member of our Talent Team.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: 1:1 Mild/Moderate, Autism Center, and Center Program Paraprofessional

GRADE LEVEL: Hiring for both middle school and high school positions

LOCATION: Hiring at multiple locations (see openings )

SALARY: $37,000-$47,102 based on years of aligned experience in a role of similar level and responsibilities up to 10 years.

The work of Special Education and Center Program teams is incredibly unique and complex - going above and beyond on multiple content areas and compliance requirements. DSST wants to value this work by adding an additional $1,500 for paraprofessionals and support specialists in the coming year.

In addition, if you hold a Registered Behavior Technician certification, you are eligible for an additional $1,000 increase to your base salary pay.

We also offer a if you are moving from a location greater than 75 miles from Denver

STATUS: Full time school year, benefits eligible, non-exempt, in-person position

START: Flexible but immediate start preferred. You can view the 2023-2024 School Year Calendar .

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Special Education Paraprofessional supports the educational, behavioral, social-emotional, physical and daily living needs of middle and high school level students with disabilities in integrated, resource, self-contained and community settings. Assists in conducting testing and assessment, multimedia activities, record-keeping, computer operation, discipline, and other activities.

DSST Paraprofessionals in our Autism Program ensure that all students with disabilities are welcomed, known and challenged through rigorous instruction to achieve their most ambitious post-secondary path. Autism Paraprofessionals should be committed to learning and implementing evidence-based practices including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to promote independence, social-communication skills, functional and academic skills. The paraprofessional should be willing to support an environment rich in positive behavior supports to support implementation of behavior intervention plans and replacement behaviors. The paraprofessional should be willing to support and teach a variety of learner profiles that are present in Autism Spectrum Disorder, including students that may be highly verbal or nonverbal, or engage in mild to severe behaviors to communicate their wants/needs. Paraprofessionals may need to manage the personal care needs of students feeding, changing, and hygiene routines and to support other team members to provide this care with dignity and respect of students. This Paraprofessional should be committed to working collaboratively with other staff in the center program and the administration team.

Work in the Classroom

Assist with the implementation of accommodations and modifications for one or multiple students.

Assist with the implementation of behavior intervention plans and positive behavior supports to support the behavioral needs within the classroom environment.

Assist teacher in developing lesson plans, material preparation and collecting data for Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and collect data related to academics and behavior.

Maintain a learning environment that is structured, organized, and routine-oriented with a variety of instructional formats.

Assist the general education teacher with students that might need extra support with learning skills within the classroom environment.

Exhibit clear communication skills to provide support and strategies to the center program team and school community by modeling and accepting on-going feedback.

Communicate daily with families.

Maintain confidentiality with student records and ensure that information regarding students is shared at appropriate times.

Facilitate interactions between students and staff and students and their peers.

Curriculum and Assessment

Assist with a variety of assessments that measure progress towards learning outcomes and behaviors that are needed to be successful in the general education environment.

Provide extended time to students for assessments.

Assist in the implementation of skill replacement curriculum that is focused on successful steps to inclusion, behavior skill development, social-communication strategies to facilitate engagement in the general education classroom, and other extra-curricular activities.

Professional Development

Reflect and seek to improve learning and development.

Participate in the school?s professional development programs including principles and procedures in Applied Behavior Analysis, development of Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention plans, and social cognition and executive function skills.

Lead and participate in best practice sessions and peer coaching.

Attend conferences.

Additional duties as assigned such as supporting student recruitment, running a small group advisory class, after school tutoring, etc. See many of our possible duties .

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS

Proven commitment to and experience with serving students of color, students with disabilities, and/or multilingual students

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

An unwavering belief that all students can succeed in high school, reach their most ambitious post-secondary goals, and lead exemplary lives

Desire to personally professionally grow in their practice of becoming an anti-racist educator

Self-awareness, a regular practice of reflection, and a desire to continuously improve

Paraprofessional Qualifications: According to C.R.S. 23-1-121.7 (1, e-g), a paraprofessional working in a Title I program may demonstrate qualifications in several ways, including:

Obtaining an associates or higher degree

OR copy of high school diploma (or GED) and proof of passing the EdReady Exams for Reading and Math: 21 or higher in Reading and 35 or higher in Math. Testing is available online at for free. Set up an account. In the College Program of Interest field, enter: paraprofessional. Once your account has been created, enter the case-sensitive Para Pathways keycode: para2020. Complete the diagnostic exams. There is no time limit and you may complete the exams in multiple sittings. If you meet the minimum scores, you will receive a congratulatory email. If you do not meet the minimum scores, you will be required to complete online learnings and assessments until you meet the minimum scores.

WHO WE ARE

At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to be the largest and highest-performing network of public charter schools in Denver and Aurora with 100% of our students having been accepted into college or post secondary programs since our inception in 2004. When you join DSST, you play a part in ensuring ALL students at our 16 schools have access to a transformational and joyful education. We encourage you to visit our to learn more about why we?ve been selected as the 2018 Broad Prize Winner and as a Denver Post ?Top Place to Work?.

Not interested right now but might be in the future, or want to learn about other positions? Complete our to connect with a member of our Talent Team.

INTERVIEW EXPECTATIONS

For most of our positions, we hire on a rolling basis. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able You can learn more about what to expect in our interview process .

TOTAL REWARDS

At DSST, we know that our people are the greatest asset we have in reaching our mission of eliminating educational inequity. We work hard to build a work culture that allows our staff to not only feel fulfilled by the work they do but also feel supported to live a joyful, healthy life. We want this work to be your life?s work. and to learn how we deliver on our commitment to the human condition.

Some Highlights:

Staff Experience Bonus: DSST celebrates staff that continue to choose our network by rewarding a bonus every 3 years in increasing increments from $3,000-$6,000.

Excellent Healthcare Plan: We encourage you to check out our to see the ways we are committed to the wellness of our staff. We are always looking to improve how we care and, through staff feedback, we?ve been able to implement innovative new benefits such as Fertility Benefits as well as staffing a Mental Health Counselor that is dedicated solely to DSST Staff.

Time Off: DSST Staff enjoy + paid PTO (from Day 1)

Career Development: In addition to weekly coaching from a designated coach, you?ll have access to internal training and development pathways designed by our Professional Development & Training Team as well as external development opportunities.

REFERRAL

Know someone who would be a great fit? Refer them Anyone can refer a candidate and we offer a $500 referral bonus for every successful referral.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, National origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), Age (40 and older), Disability, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Expected salary: $37000 - 47102 per year
Location: Denver, CO

Apply Job!