Position:                      Behavior Support Paraprofessional

Term:                           Full-time, 183 Days

Classification:             Classified, Non-Exempt

Qualifications:            

• Must have 60 college credits, or
• Passed the ParaPro assessment, or
• Completed Missouri’s 20-hour online substitute teacher training program
• Related experience working with children in a behavior support setting preferred

Supervisory:                No

Reports to:                  Building Principal

General Expectations:

• Supports the mission of Carthage R-9 School District.
• Supports the value of education.
• Become familiar with, enforce, and follow all applicable Board policies and regulations, administrative procedures, other directions given by district administrators and supervisors, and state and federal laws.
• Properly supervise students at all times, if applicable to essential job functions.
• Obey all safety rules, including rules protecting the safety and welfare of students.
• Care for, properly use, and protect school property.
• Maintain courteous and professional relationships with students, parents/guardians, other district employees and the public.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, department staff, all members of the school district, and community as required.
• Provides excellence in customer service both internally and externally.
• Complies with privacy rights and safeguards confidential and/or sensitive information pertaining to staff and students.
• Reacts to change productively and receive and transmit constructive criticism as it relates to job duties.
• Actively participate in professional development and obtain skills and information necessary to effectively perform job duties.
• Conduct all official business in a professional and timely manner, utilizing district technology resources.
• Arrive to work and leave work at the time specified by supervisors and attend all required meetings pertinent to the position.
• Maintains accurate records and filing systems for accountability and audit purposes as required by law and Board policy.
• Solve practical problems as needed to complete job duties.
• Read and interpret documents such as work orders, safety rules, and handbooks and apply to job duties.

Essential Functions:

• Provide a welcoming and structured environment where students can de-escalate and regain emotional control before returning to their classroom.
• Implement calming strategies, social-emotional learning techniques, and de-escalation practices to help students manage their emotions and behavior.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers and support staff to identify students who may benefit from utilizing the behavior room.
• Develop individualized strategies and plans to support students with emotional or behavioral challenges, tailoring interventions to their specific needs.
• Utilize positive reinforcement, mindfulness activities, and other therapeutic approaches to guide students in self-regulation.
• Keep detailed records of student visits, interventions used, and progress toward emotional regulation goals.
• Provide guidance to students in conflict resolution, coping mechanisms, and problem-solving techniques.
• Communicate effectively with teachers, administrators, and families regarding the student's progress and strategies used.
• Monitor and maintain the physical space, ensuring it is conducive to calming and reflective activities.
• Participate in professional development related to behavior management, trauma-informed care, and social-emotional learning.
• Carry out all other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand or sit. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. The employee must be able to engage with young children at their physical level (e.g., sitting on the floor, active listening). This position may require occasional lifting or moving of students in emergency situations.

Attendance

Regular and consistent attendance is an essential function of this position. 

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

Conditions and Environment

The individual who holds this position will regularly work in a school environment that is noisy and active.  Occasionally the individual will be required to work outdoors for short periods of time to perform such tasks as loading and unloading students from district transportation and supervising recess.

Note:  The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Carthage R-9 School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not illegally discriminate in its programs, services, activities or facilities.