NORTH EAST SCHOOL DISTRICT

Position Title: Life Skills Support Aide – North East Elementary School
Contract Period: 180 Days + Extended School Year
Qualifications:
<ul>
<li>High School Diploma</li>
<li>Meets requirements for “Highly Qualified” Paraprofessional status in accordance with PDE guidelines</li>
<li>Current certifications in de-escalation/restraint techniques, trauma-informed crisis intervention, First Aid and CPR</li>
<li>Ability to learn and implement instructional and behavioral support strategies</li>
<li>Demonstrates maturity and ability to work with students, staff, and families in a professional and respectful manner</li>
<li>Maintains current employment clearances as required by state and federal law</li>
</ul>
Reports to: Building Principal and Director of Special Education
Position Goal: To support K-5 students with significant cognitive, adaptive, physical, or communication needs in achieving educational and life-skill goals per their IEPs. Under teacher direction, this role promotes independence and safety in both academic and functional life skills domains.
Essential Duties and Position Responsibilities:
<ul>
<li>Follow teacher-developed lesson plans, activities, and materials to reinforce instruction and IEP goals</li>
<li>Provide one-on-one or small-group activities under teacher direction, reinforcing core curriculum and IEP objectives</li>
<li>Provide support for students related to adaptive skills areas (e.g., grooming, hygiene, feeding, communication, toileting) under teacher guidance</li>
<li>Assist with personal care tasks in accordance with IEP and medical plans (e.g., toileting, feeding, diapering, dressing) under teacher, nursing, or therapist guidance</li>
<li>Model, encourage, and reinforce self-regulation, adaptive, and executive functioning skills</li>
<li>Encourage and support generalization of skills across content areas and environments</li>
<li>Support the use of augmentative communication systems to enhance expressive and receptive language access</li>
<li>Assist in maintaining a calm, structured environment and intervene safely to reduce escalation</li>
<li>Supervise and support students during hallway transitions, lunch, recess, arrival/dismissal, while on transportation, in the community, and within the classroom as needed and appropriate</li>
<li>Promote student inclusion in general education classes, clubs, lunch, and other school activities</li>
<li>Attend and support at least 50% of ESY sessions annually, delivering instruction and interventions alongside summer programming teams</li>
<li>Supervise and support students during community outings</li>
<li>Support student hygiene and self-care skills</li>
<li>Collect, record, and report observational, academic, and behavioral data for each student’s IEP goals</li>
<li>Participate in IEP meetings, team planning, staff training, and interdisciplinary consultations as appropriate</li>
<li>Prepare instructional materials and assist with classroom displays and organization</li>
<li>Ensure that adaptive and sensory equipment is cleaned and maintained</li>
<li>Support students in the use of assistive technology, including communication devices, visual schedules, adapted tools, and learning apps, as directed by the teacher or related service provider</li>
<li>Facilitate the use of low- and high-tech AAC systems to promote expressive and receptive communication</li>
<li>Ensure AAC devices are charged, assessable, and used consistently in accordance with the student’s IEP</li>
<li>Maintain confidentiality and ethical behavior in all interactions</li>
<li>Other specific job-related duties as directed</li>
</ul>
Abilities Required:
<ul>
<li>Ability to follow oral and written instructions precisely and implement complex support plans with fidelity</li>
<li>Effectively follow detailed instructions</li>
<li>Strong interpersonal skills to maintain professionalism with students, staff, and families</li>
<li>Proficient in basic behavior management, assistive technology, and trauma-aware care</li>
<li>Capacity to handle multiple tasks and remain flexible in a dynamic environment</li>
<li>Ability to manage data collection and use technology for documentation</li>
<li>Physical capacity to assist in movement, self-care tasks, and crisis interventions (lifting up to 50 lbs.)</li>
<li>Ability to model and reinforce appropriate social behaviors and expectations</li>
<li>Demonstrates flexibility, reliability, punctuality, responsiveness, and confidentiality in all environments</li>
</ul>
Working Conditions:
<ul>
<li>Work across settings including classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, outdoor areas, transportation, community locations, and ESY locations</li>
<li>Frequent close physical proximity to students engaging in personal/sensory care</li>
<li>Exposure to bodily fluids and possible aggressive or elopement behaviors</li>
<li>May require physical intervention in accordance with training (Handle With Care / Ukeru)</li>
<li>Requires standing, walking, bending, and repetitive movements throughout the school day</li>
<li>Physical activity that may include escorting students or assisting in transfer</li>
<li>Exposure to various weather conditions while assisting with arrival/dismissal or outdoor activities</li>
<li>Expected to follow hygiene and sanitization protocols, especially in shared environments</li>
<li>Expected to maintain a professional appearance in line with district dress code expectations. Clothing should be clean, neat, and appropriate for a school setting, allowing for mobility and physical interaction with students. Attire must be suitable for supporting students during instructional activities and transitions, both indoors and outdoors. Staff should project a professional image consistent with their role as an instructional support staff member and representative of the North East School District.</li>
</ul>
Professional Development and Evaluation:
<ul>
<li>Must complete 20 hours of professional development annually in accordance with Chapter 14 and Chapter 711 requirements. At least 25% of professional development must be focused on functional skills and assistive practices.</li>
<li>Evaluation will be conducted annually by the building principal or special education director using criteria aligned with the PA Department of Education/PaTTAN Professional Framework (2021) and CEC Paraeducator Core Competencies (2022).</li>
</ul>
This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. The North East School District reserves the right to modify this job description at any time in response to changing district needs and federal/state mandates, funding variables, emerging technologies, improved operating procedures, productivity factors, and unforeseen events.
The North East School District Board of Education is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national original, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy or other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state or local laws. The Board requires that employees comply with the statutory responsibilities cited in the Pennsylvania School Code, the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and all local, state and federal mandates.
REVISED: July 2025
Pay: $16.00 - $19.25 per hour
Benefits:
<ul>
<li>Dental insurance</li>
<li>Health insurance</li>
<li>Life insurance</li>
<li>Paid time off</li>
<li>Retirement plan</li>
<li>Vision insurance</li>
</ul>
Work Location: In person

Life Skills Support Aide – North East Elementary School

Life Skills Support Aide – North East Elementary School

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