2026-2027 Headstart Paraprofessional (Multiple positions)

Job Title: Headstart Paraprofessional
Salary Range: $22,532-$40,014
Supervisor: Principal
Job Classification: Non-Exempt
Contract Length: 10-months (186 days)

Job Summary
The Headstart Paraprofessional will assist the teacher in providing individual and small-group instruction, providing learning experiences to pupils in language arts, social studies, pre-reading, arithmetic, science, art, physical education, and music. This position reports to the Supervisor of Head Start and Principal.
 
Essential Job Functions
Assume responsibility for one small group of children during appropriate times.
Assist teacher with instructional activities which include the implementation of the curriculum.
Perform student management and record duties as assigned.
Accompany teacher on home visits.
Assist teacher in the development of a written schedule for play area supervision.
Assist teacher in making regular checks of safety and cleanliness of indoor and outdoor play areas.
Supervise playground and recess activities.
Assist special students with personal comfort and movement.
Provide assistance in maintaining teaching area, securing material and supplies, and assists sick or injured students.
Assist in ensuring that the classroom is a safe and pleasant environment for children.
Assist the teacher in making decisions regarding room arrangement and the planning of activities.
Assist the teacher in guiding, teaching, and facilitating the growth of the students.
Perform other related duties as requested.
 

Job Specifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required)
Possesses an understanding of empathy for students with disabilities.
Possesses the ability to assist non-ambulatory students who require wheelchairs and related equipment and to assist other persons in transferring, moving, positioning, and securing students as required or assigned.
Possesses the ability to communicate with children with special disabilities (deaf, blind, nonverbal, etc.) as required or assigned.
Possesses physical strength, agility, and dexterity required to restrain students whose behavior is disruptive or dangerous to self or other students.
Supervises playground activities (for Elementary/Early Childhood)
Provides special instructions in survival skills and leisure activities.
Assists with maintaining teaching area and with securing and preparing materials.
Possesses the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents and staff.
Demonstrates ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students in school environment and community.
Must have some knowledge of the instructional goals and the policies of public schools. 
Considerable patience and the ability to work effectively with children and faculty members are essential.
Must be able to follow written and oral instructions and to perform all required tasks. 
Performs other duties/assignments as directed by the Teacher or Administrator.

Minimum Qualifications 
Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent, Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or CDA credentials with some course work in early childhood education or a passing score of 455 on the Paraprofessional Exam.
Experience: Minimum of two (2) years related training and experience preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands
Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds; to bend, stoop, climb stairs, and reach overhead. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.