Therapeutic School Classroom Paraprofessional

Description:

Description
Heartspring is seeking skilled and dependable Paraprofessionals to support students with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities in our therapeutic school. In this hands-on role, you'll work alongside teachers, therapists, and other professionals to help students build academic, communication, social, behavioral, and independent living skills.
Position: Paraprofessional – Special Education
Schedule: Full-Time | Monday–Friday
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 7:15a-3:45p; Wednesday 7:15a-4p; Friday 7:15a-3:30p
Requirements: High school diploma| 1 year of experience working with children or individuals with disabilities
Pre-Employment Requirements: must pass a drug screening, physical, and lifting test
What You'll Do
Work directly with students with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities in a therapeutic school environment
Provide individualized and small-group support to help students achieve academic, communication, social, behavioral, and functional living goals
Assist teachers and therapeutic teams with implementing individualized education programs, Student Support Plans, structured activities, and daily classroom routines
Support students with activities of daily living (ADLs) and help build greater independence with communication, self-help, social, and functional life skills
Provide positive reinforcement and individualized support to encourage student participation, engagement, and progress
Observe student progress and behaviors and communicate important information, changes, or concerns with teachers, supervisors, and members of the student's interdisciplinary team
Collaborate with teachers, therapists, behavioral professionals, nursing, and other team members to provide consistent support and continuity of care
Help maintain a structured, safe, and nurturing classroom environment
Support students during behavioral challenges or crisis situations using Heartspring's established training and intervention techniques
Maintain accurate documentation while protecting student confidentiality
Follow Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) requirements, Heartspring policies, safety procedures, and other applicable regulations
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate is patient, dependable, and genuinely enjoys helping children learn, grow, and become more independent. We're looking for someone who has:
A passion for working with children and young adults who may need additional behavioral, developmental, or educational support
Experience in special education, paraprofessional support, childcare, behavioral health, autism services, direct support, education, or a related field preferred
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive, supportive relationships with students
The ability to remain calm, composed, and professional during challenging or high-stress situations
Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively share information with teachers, supervisors, and interdisciplinary team members
Dependability, reliability, and a strong commitment to showing up consistently for students and the team
Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow individualized plans, instructions, and safety procedures
The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
Good judgment and the ability to respond appropriately during behavioral, health, or emergency situations
Comfort using computers, tablets, and other technology for communication, training, and documentation
A commitment to maintaining confidentiality and treating students with dignity and respect

Requirements
Education & Experience
High school diploma required
1+ years of experience working with children, individuals with disabilities, autism, special education, behavioral health, childcare, or direct care preferred
Valid Kansas driver's license with a good driving record preferred and required to transport students in Heartspring vehicles
Pre-Employment Requirements
Because the safety of our students is our highest priority, all candidates must successfully complete Heartspring's required pre-employment screening process before beginning employment. This includes:
DCF fingerprinting
State and federal background checks
Drug screening
Pre-employment physical and required physical abilities testing
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
5 weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO)
10 Paid holidays
403(b) Retirement plan with employer contribution
Employer-paid life insurance
Paid training and ongoing professional development
Opportunities to grow your experience in special education, autism services, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities
Mission-driven work where you can make a meaningful difference in a student's life every day
Join Our Team
If you're looking for more than just a job and want the opportunity to help students build skills, gain independence, and reach possibilities others may not have thought possible, we'd love to meet you.

Apply today to join the Heartspring School team and help create possibilities for students every day.
You are a great fit for this role if you have knowledge and abilities in:

Physical Requirements:
Lifting: Up to 30 lbs. frequently; 50 lbs. rarely
Carrying: 10-15 lbs. frequently; 50 lbs. seldom
Sitting/Standing/Walking: sit rarely; stand constantly; walk frequently
Climbing: rarely
Bending/Twisting/Kneeling/Reaching: frequently
Reaching: frequently
Pushing/Pulling: 10-15 lbs. occasionally; 50 lbs. rarely
Dexterity: constant hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity
Stamina/Endurance: mild exertion frequently; heavy exertion occasionally
Vision/Hearing: constant ability to see clearly and hear instructions or warnings
Mind-Body Connection: frequent awareness of body positioning and task execution

Work Environment:
Environment: Indoor and outdoor work environments
Safety Compliance & PPE Requirements: Adherence to safety protocols and protective gear use constantly. Mandatory use of Heartspring standard PPE, with additional protective gear (e.g., gloves, helmets, arm guards, leg guards) provided as needed.
Physical Interactions & Exposure Risks: Frequent exposure to physical interactions from clients, including slapping, hitting, punching, kicking, head-butting, and biting. Potential exposure to infectious diseases, parasites, bodily fluids, and blood-borne pathogens in a school and residential care setting.

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https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/4480934