Position Title:         GSRP Associate (formerly PreK Paraprofessional)
Bargaining Unit:     Grand Rapids Public Schools Paraprofessional    Association (GRPSPA)
Pay Rate:                Determined by 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:
The GSRP Associate is responsible for working as an instructional team member in providing world-class educational activities for young children.  Also, position is responsible for certain non-instructional and concept/skill reinforcement tasks and providing children the opportunity for additional professional 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 attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for actively participating in school 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 children or small groups, assisting in all introductions of information and concepts, selection and preparation of materials, consistently messaging behavior expectations as set by the certified teacher
• Assist with loading and unloading of children from the buses
• Responsible for informing the certified teacher of any specific needs or concerns regarding children
• Responsible for carrying through on suggestions as communicated by the teacher, admin, or KISD ECS
• When needed, assist with the medical needs of students
• Assist with the grooming needs of students’ self-care
• Assist in preparing displays of student learning
• Secure, set up and operate classrooms technology and hands-on teaching materials and equipment
• Perform clerical tasks such as taking attendance, documenting student learning, filling out payroll forms, etc.
• Assist teacher in maintaining an orderly, clean and organized classroom physical environment
• Assist teacher in maintaining a positive classroom climate using GRPS Pre-K PBIS expectations
• Supervise children during daily outdoor activities to meet childcare licensing requirements
• Interact with co-workers, administration, children, and parents in positive, supportive, and cooperative ways
• Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have one of the following educational requirements:

• Obtained an associate degree (AA) in early childhood education, child development, or the equivalent; or
• A valid classroom CDA credential; or
  • Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (60+ credits) and must be willing to obtain a CDA or associate degree in early childhood education, child development, or the equivalent within two years from date of hire; or
  • Achieved a passing score on an MDE approved assessment and must be willing to obtain a CDA or associate degree in early childhood education, child development, or the equivalent within two years from date of hire

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION:

• Experience working with students with disabilities, preferred

 

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated ability to interact with children, parents, staff, and community in a contractual and courteous manner
• Experience working with children
• Demonstrated good attendance and punctuality
• Demonstrated respect for the confidentiality requirements of information
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and organizational skills
• Valid CPR and First Aid certification or be willing to acquire
• Be willing to actively participate in 16 hours of on-going training yearly to meet childcare licensing regulations
• Demonstrated ability to participate as a member of the team in a diverse school environment
• Must pass any health requirements of the position including obtaining a physical that insures ability to perform duties of Pre-K with negative TB results (licensing requirement)

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, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). Candidate must have ability to physically lift students up and down from the floor on a continual basis. Candidate must be able to work in all outdoor environments; hot, cold, snow, or rain. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

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 in the English language, 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.  No hardcopy applications/resumes will be accepted for this position at: https://grps.tedk12.com/hire/.  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 or veteran 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