Watervliet Public Schools is seeking an outstanding Special Education Paraprofessional at Watervliet High School. The City of Watervliet is located in southwest Michigan, approximately 15 miles east of the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor metropolitan area, in Berrien County and 35 miles west of Kalamazoo, MI. The school district serves approximately 1,500 PreK-12 students with grades 9-12 high school enrollment of approximately 380.

Watervliet High School has developed a tradition of earning awards for strong academic performance that exceeds statistical expectations. In 2015, WHS was named Academic State Champions by Bridge Magazine. In 2018, WHS earned the prestigious America’s Best High Schools designation by U.S. News and World Reports. The district also has long-standing, successful traditions in athletics and the arts.
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Job Description

Required Qualifications

● High School Graduate, Must meet one of the following requirements:

○ Complete at least two years of study at college (equal to 60

○ semester hours)

○ Obtain an associate’s degree (or higher)

○ Passed a paraprofessional test for certification

● Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with children with special needs, parents, staff, administration and the general public

Preferred Personal and Professional Competencies

● Passion for working with children with special needs in a collaborative environment

● Organized, capable, and able to multitask

● Desire to grow professionally

● Basic technology skills and ability to apply these skills when working with students or completing other assigned duties

● Regular, timely, and predictable attendance

Major Job Responsibilities

● Promote and exhibit positive relationships with students, families, and district staff

● Provide support, while promoting social acceptance and positive peer interactions for students with disabilities

● Assist in evaluating academic and behavioral performance of students

● Provide assistance to any eligible student with a disability when the IEP team determines that additional assistance is necessary to support the student in a lesser restrictive general education classroom or community-based setting

● Implement accommodations and modifications related to classroom activities based on needs identified in the student’s IEP

● Provide support for individual students inside and outside the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities

● Promote student independence in learning activities, completing classroom assignments and interacting with peers

● Promote social acceptance and interaction with general education peers.

● Assist in implementing behavior intervention strategies

● Provide appropriate documentation of related services provided

● Assist in guiding and teaching expected, appropriate student behaviors to ensure a safe and orderly learning environment (PBIS)

● Model appropriate verbal communication to students develop / improve their skills

● Participate in professional learning activities

● Carry out responsibilities with little or no prompting

● And any such duties as assigned

Building and job role assignment for special education paraprofessionals including LRE, individual student, and program aides may change based upon student and district needs.

Application Procedure:

To be considered as a candidate, please apply online at - Berrien County Schools Consortium. https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/1002

Notice of Non-Discrimination

It is the policy of the Watervliet Public Schools that no person shall, on the basis of sex, religion, age,

marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, weight, height, or handicap, be excluded from

participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in employment or any

of its programs or activities.

Special Education Paraprofessional (High School)