Para Professional / Job Coach

Join an award-winning, innovative school that is student focused and provides a unique and collaborative team environment.

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

School Schedule: Year-Round Academic Sessions with Scheduled Breaks and Reduced Summer Hours

Reports to: Assigned Special Education Teacher and the Assistant Principal for Vocational Educational Services

Primary Location: Niles, Illinois

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a Paraprofessional/Job Coach you would provide outlined support to ensure Walsh Academy is able to meet educational expectations of our students with focus including but are not limited to:

• Improving academic and vocations skills of the students;
• Providing support to Special Education Teachers to ensure students are properly positioned to achieve state standards, IEP goals, and/or specific district graduation requirements;
• Has close interaction with staff, students, and parents/guardians, with primary emphasis on the implementation of specialized or vocational educational programs for each student.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintains the required educational certifications and training required of all Walsh Academy employees;
• Assists with classroom instruction, tutoring or one-on-one instructional time as required by student need under the direction and supervision of teacher;
• Supports students in reviewing and completing assignments during class time;
• Administers tests orally/written to students, as needed, in both resource and classroom settings;
• Completes entry within IEP specified software programs that shows the completion of assignments for classes;
• Develops strategies to ensure the student(s) achieve his/her IEP/Transition plan goals;
• Actively participates and contributes to in-service trainings and staff development opportunities and providing input and suggestions for future topics and directions;
• Assists with crisis management up to and including physical restraints when appropriate;
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:

• Must have State Approved Paraprofessional License.
• Bachelors Degree preferred. High School diploma required.

Skills /Knowledge:

• Must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license. School Bus Drivers Permit Preferred / be willing to successfully obtain a School Bus Driver’s Permit;
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with Walsh Academy students, supervisors, coworkers, subordinates, support agencies, and a variety of internal as well as external consumers;
• Basic computer proficiency including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite of programs;
• Knowledge of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) eligibility, planning, instruction and service delivery processes;
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.

Physical Demands:

• Required to frequently sit, stand, bend, stoop, walk and drive for extended periods. Also ability to walk up and down stairs.
• Required to occasionally lift/move objects and/or youth weighing in excess of 40 pounds.
• Must possess the ability to provide physical restraint for students threatening to harm themselves or others.
• Must have the visual, hearing, and learning capabilities sufficient to perform the essential functions defined above.
• Must participate in physical education activities with the students and, if necessary, physically interact (intervene) with students.
• Position requires frequent to continuous work on a computer which requires employee to possess the manual dexterity to operate equipment.

Environment and Scheduling:

• Work is performed during school and vocational program days and hours;
• Work may be performed off-site during required remote learning days or in situations when in person learning is deemed unsafe;
• Work is performed in and in association with Walsh Academy, hospital, and residential programs/settings as well as in an administrative office setting;
• Duties involve contact with students who may be verbally and physically threatening, aggressive, suicidal and/or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Walsh Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, veteran status, or disability.