Position Title:          Paraprofessional – Literacy and Instructional

Bargaining Unit:      Grand Rapids Public Schools Paraprofessional Association (GRPSPA)

Pay Rate:                 Determined by the collective bargaining agreement

Earning Days:          Determined by the negotiated calendar

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Responsible for assisting with promotion of literacy in elementary and K-8 buildings by working as a team member with the school staff, principal and library director in providing a quality educational program. Responsible for concept/skill reinforcement tasks and providing students the opportunity for additional adult/student relationships. Responsible for working as a team member in providing a quality educational program for assigned students by providing additional time for the teacher to plan. The paraprofessional is also responsible for certain non-instructional and concept/skill reinforcement tasks and providing students the opportunity for additional adult/student relationships.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS - Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge and skills.  This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for assisting the students at their assigned site by support the literacy efforts of the building.
• Responsible for utilizing library based literacy supports (Accelerated Reader, STAR Assessment, etc.) to meet the needs of students.
• Responsible for working with large and small groups of students, provide a variety of delivery methods for the materials in order to meet all students needs.
• Responsible for keeping the library facility and environment attractive and conducive to learning, communicate with staff and students new resources, develop activities relative to special events/holidays, encourage reading by storytelling, book talks, displays, etc.
• Responsible for assisting students with selecting appropriate books for use outside of the school library.
• Responsible for participating in and supporting RIF (Reading is Fundamental) activities.
• Assist with maintaining student records and updating student schedules.
• Communicate and interact professionally with a variety of adults and students.
• Maintain a good working relationship with the teacher and students to keep a positive, motivating learning environment.
• Assist in school mentoring program.
• Attend meetings and trainings, as assigned.
• Assist with other duties that create a safe and orderly learning environment.
• Work with the Library Technician to assure that the library environment is maintained in an orderly fashion.
• Interact with co-workers, administration, students, parents and the com­munity in positive, supportive and cooperative ways.
• Assist with the school day activities such as before and after school supervision, lunch and recess and bus loading and unloading supervision, to ensure the safety of all students.
• Responsible for actively participating in building activities, meetings, parent conferences, staffing, training, IEP, when appropriate, as determined by the building administration or the assigned certified teacher.
• Present lessons to individual students or small groups, assisting in all introductions of information and concepts, selection and preparation of materials, establishment of reward systems, as determined by the certified teacher. This includes work outdoors, all year round (all seasons).
• Assist with loading and unloading of buses and recess duty, when neces-sary.
• Responsible for informing the certified teacher of any specific needs or concerns regarding the students.
• Responsible for carrying through on suggestions, as directed by the teacher.
• When needed, assist with medical and grooming needs of students.
• Assist in preparing displays of student work.
• Secure, set up and operate materials and equipment.
• Assist teacher in maintaining a positive classroom climate.
• Interact with co-workers, administration, students, parents & the community in positive, supportive and cooperative ways.
• Work outside each day for extended periods of time.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This description is intended to describe the type and level of work performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required to be performed in the position.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have:
• completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (60 Credits);
• OR
• obtained an associate's or higher degree; OR
• achieved a passing score on a MDE approved ETS paraprofessional assessment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with the Dewey Decimal system and Library World.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated ability to assist students with literacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with students, parents, staff and community in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Demonstrated experience working with children at the elementary level.
• Demonstrated good attendance and punctuality.
• Demonstrated ability to work with computers.
• Demonstrated respect for the confidential requirements of information.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse environment.
• Demonstrated ability to participate as a member of the team.

ADA REQUIREMENTS:       

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, and hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus. Must be able to withstand exposure to all types of weather. Must be able to work in all outdoor environments, hot, cold, snow and rain. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate. Work is performed indoors although there will be required outdoor activities. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work output of students.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:

Grand Rapids Public Schools manages employment applications online.  Applications must be completed online at www.applitrack.com/grps/onlineapp.  No hardcopy applications/resumes will be accepted for this position.  Computer terminals are available in the GRPS Franklin Campus lobby from 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday-Friday, for applicant use (Monday – Thursday during the summer).

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at 616 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org