Job Title: Paraprofessional, Behavior Interventionist

Position Purpose: This position is designed to provide targeted academic and social/emotional support to reduce or eliminate barriers to educational success. This position will work with students and classroom teachers to focus on minimizing loss of instructional time.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Interacts and communicates with administrator/trainers, students, staff, and parents in a courteous, professional manner.
• Records data for factual documentation, accountability, and evaluation purposes.
• Reteaches specific academic content
• Provides support with work completion.
• Reinforces social/life skills instruction to increase student engagement in class.
• Assists students with utilizing mindfulness practices to support self-regulation.
• Collaborates with teachers and administrators to identify student needs, coordinate intervention efforts, and provide academic assistance.
• Works with and understands the needs of a diverse student population.
• Maintains an instructional focus among students in the room.
• Maintains a calm and professional demeanor in all circumstances.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisor and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use SMART boards and i Pads in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with OPS’s guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Limited local travel may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Work in an office environment and school buildings.
• Ability to lift, move and reposition objects and materials- frequently exerting force equal to lifting fifty (25) pounds.

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with students and parents.
• Works under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks.
• Works with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• An Associate's degree, OR completion of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours at an institution of higher learning, OR demonstrated proficiency in the ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing and mathematics via state or locally approved competency test.
• Background or experience in working with behaviorally disordered students in a secondary setting preferred.
• Previous experience working in a public school setting preferred.
• Evidence of good mental and physical health.
• Ability to collaborate as a team member.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Demonstrates a positive attendance record and prior work history.
• Ability to use a computer required.
• Ability to work with and meet individual needs of students.
• Ability to comply with OPS’s policies and practices for discipline, philosophy, and guidelines.
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ability to perform a variety of assigned record keeping duties.
• Ability to serve as a positive, mature role model.
• Willingness to learn alternative methods of dealing with inappropriate school behavior.

Reports To: School Building Principal
Work Schedule/FLSA Status: 8 hours per day, Monday-Friday, 10 Month, Non-Exempt
Salary Schedule: This is a negotiated position. Wages are administrated consistent with the negotiated agreement.

Terms of Employment
This position is treated as a full-time non-exempt classified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

The offer of employment is contingent upon:

• Obtaining and providing verification of all licenses, certificates, and other requirements for the position (e.g., Paraprofessionals obtaining “Highly Qualified status,” etc.), as identified and maintaining all licenses, certificates, and requirements for your position throughout employment.
• A background check which demonstrates to OPS that background is acceptable for the position.
• Verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination to determine ability to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.

Omaha public schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.