The Natick Public Schools Seek 

After-School Lead Instructors (Paraprofessionals) 

for the 2024-2025 school year

 

Start date: 08/26/2024

 

We invite you to explore a career with Natick Public Schools. 

 

The Natick Public Schools educate approximately 5,300 students from Pre-K through age 22. We are an innovative, supportive, and high-performing district whose outstanding staff provides high quality services for our diverse students and their families from Natick and Boston. Natick Public Schools is a community dedicated to all students achieving high standards in a safe, trusting, respectful environment where learning is exciting, dynamic, and engaging, and where connectedness and belonging are valued and actively cultivated. We are home to families that speak almost 60 different languages and our student population is approximately 29% Students of Color and 71% White students. With a graduation rate of 97% and 90% of our students attending post-secondary schools, we are proud of our commitment to excellence in educating students to be informed and successful citizens of a global world. 

 

We enthusiastically welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on the whole child in a strengths-based approach. Please partner with us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community, promote and deliver equitable practices for all of our staff, students, and families, and create meaningful connections that enable everyone to feel included and thrive.

 

Job Title	After-School Lead Instructor/Paraprofessional	Location	TBD
Reports To	Site Supervisor or Coordinator	Work days/FTE	up to 183 days 7.5 - 18.75 hrs/wk  Extra Hours on Early Release Days
Salary/Benefits	Salary and benefits per the Non Rep Schedule	Benefits Eligible?	No
Profile of a Natick Educator
JOB GOAL: Under supervision of the Site Supervisor or Coordinator (depending on placement), provide a safe and caring environment and support instructors in leading enrichment and recreational activities for children enrolled in the Natick After School Activities Program, a creative, community service-oriented environment. The Lead Instructor (Paraprofessional) is responsible for providing individual support to one or more children.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred 
• High School Graduate or have a G.E.D. 

Preferred Experience: 

• Two years or more of experience working with youth in an organized setting. Special Education experience preferred.
• Ability to provide individual support to children with special needs, manage crises, and communicate effectively with families.
• Experienced in using de-escalation practices. 
• Current Safety-Care certification preferred.

Skills:

• Demonstrated aptitude for work to be performed
• Candidates should have a passion for working with students, families, and colleagues
• Candidates must be flexible and collaborative
• Candidates must be able to multitask in a fast-paced, supportive environment that nurtures student growth

Alternative degrees/experience may be substituted for the above at the discretion of the Superintendent, if such a substitution brings a strong candidate forward.

 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

• Phone, intercom, radios, personal computer, scanner, copy machine, calculator, camera, printers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB (not limited to)

 

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

• Provide educational, enrichment, and recreational activities to students as directed by the Site Supervisor. 
• Observe and manage student behavior according to program procedures. Report progress and concerns to Site Supervisor. 
• Be alert and sensitive to the individual needs of the children, maintain physical and emotional safety, and support each child in developing social skills. Treat all children and families with kindness and respect.
• Be familiar with the parents of assigned students. Greet families at pick-up every day.
• Assist with the following tasks:
• Set up and put away equipment (outside and inside).
• Clean activity and storage spaces; leave all areas clean and free of trash/debris.
• Preparation and clean-up of daily activities.
• Follow all health and safety procedures. Report all injuries and incidents to the Supervisor. Document all injuries and incidents. Be familiar with the protocols and evacuation strategies in the case of fire, lockdown, or other building emergencies.
• Maintain a count of children in assigned group at all times.
• Know signs of child abuse and responsibilities as a mandated reporter. Understand the definition of and signs of bullying.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding all information about program children and families.
• Participate in staff meetings; attend various training sessions as assigned.
• Perform with accuracy, thoroughness, and follow-through.

In addition to the responsibilities above, a Lead Instructor (Paraprofessional) must:

• Directly supervise/know the location of assigned child[ren] at all times.
• Provide emotional and social support including social etiquette. 
• Foster inclusion by helping student build skills that will allow him/her to safely and successfully participate and have fun.
• Scaffold learning to allow student to be increasingly independent (avoid creating or maintaining an environment conducive to a sense of “helplessness.”
• Be ready to play with students throughout the day.
• Develop accommodations for safety and inclusion that align with the student[s] IEP/behavioral plan. If appropriate, create goals. 
• Maintain rapport with all students and staff. 
• May help other staff cultivate ideas for activities and special events and/or provide feedback on accommodations to make activities inclusive.

Any other relative duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: 

• move about the classroom, school, school grounds, office, outside, and/or off-site locations. 
• on some occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces; 
• remain in a stationary position for periods of time; 
• operate a computer and other school/office productivity machinery (i.e., iPad, copy machine, computer printer, assistive technology, etc.); 
• read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids; 
• position oneself to maintain files and access school/classroom/office materials;
• communicate with others so that information received and given is understood and accurately communicated;
• communicate and collaborate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person, via video conference, on the telephone, and/or in writing;
• observe details at close range
• in the school setting, ensure the safety of students;
• multitask and meet multiple demands from several people;
• may need to teach and support students with life skills development such as eating, cleaning, and toileting 
• lifting up to and including 25 lbs
• maintain a  pace that is rapid and dynamic, multi-task oriented with short notice/changing deadlines
• the noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud

SELECTION GUIDELINES

• Formal application
• Rating of education and experience
• Oral interviews 
• Reference check
• Strong record of work performance in current and previous roles required
• Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law.

 

Date Updated:  7/09/24