The Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) is a critical part of Michigan’s education system serving the Greater Kalamazoo region and provides specialized services to schools and communities and optimizes resources by centralizing innovative programs and services. We partner with school districts and the broader community to offer essential programs including early childhood education, special education, career learning, and educator development, ensuring that learners of all ages receive the support they need.

We are currently seeking a Paraprofessional at Portage North Middle School in Portage, Michigan. The essential responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:

Knowledge of subject matter, students’ needs, and building/program policies
Assists with managing difficult behaviors through the use of de-escalation strategies or team restraint when students are in crisis and when in danger of hurting themselves, others, or property.
Collect data and progress monitor student’s academic interventions and behavior objectives.
Leads and manages student classroom activities outside of classroom instruction.
Assists in instruction of students as designed by the teacher.
Provides feedback and monitors the classroom when students are working.
Performs classroom maintenance (cleaning, sanitizing, preparing, fixing) as required.
Assists with organization of daily classroom schedule and events calendar.
Implements rules of student conduct through PBIS and specific program expectations.
Maintains order in classroom and effectively disciplines students through classroom procedures and protocols.
Assists students with problem solving when adjustment and academic needs arise.
Keeps attendance, student records, anecdotal observations, evaluations as required by school and teacher.
Regular and consistent attendance.
Other duties as assigned

Qualified candidates will have a High school diploma or equivalent. Paraprofessional positions for certain programs may require demonstrated competency level (Work keys test or ETS Paraprofessional Assessment) for meeting highly qualified status and /or an associate degree or 60 college credits.

This is a 10 month calendar position (37.5 hours/week) in job grade 11 with an hourly rate of pay between $15.38 and $22.52.

KRESA employees enjoy a comprehensive benefit offering that includes health insurance, paid time off, retirement benefits through Michigan’s Office of Retirement Services, tuition reimbursement, student loan forgiveness and wellness incentives – all within a supportive and caring culture centered around our values of collaboration, innovation, compassion, integrity, and respect.

A Great Place to Live and Work

Kalamazoo was recently recognized as a great place to live in the 2024 50 Best Places to Live roundup by Money.com. Kalamazoo was noted for its abundant family-friendly activities and appreciation for artisan-crafted goods, as well as the Kalamazoo Promise, a scholarship for each Kalamazoo Public School resident graduate that provides up to 100% tuition for post-secondary education.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to reach with arms and hands, stand, walk, bend, twist and sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must support and transfer students who are unable to completely bear weight on their own without the assistance of other staff. The employee must, when necessary, be able to physically restrain a student using approved methods in order to maintain the safety of the students and the building staff. The employee must, when necessary, be able to physically transport a student using approved methods in order to maintain the safety of the students and building staff. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Notice of Non-discrimination: It is the policy of Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency that no discriminating practices based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or sexual identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category be allowed during any program, activity, service or in employment. The following position at Kalamazoo RESA has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy: Executive Director of Human Resources. Contact information: 269-250-9200, 1819 E. Milham Ave, Portage, MI 49002.

ASD Paraprofessional