Therapeutic School Lead Paraprofessional

This job was posted by https://www.kansasworks.com : For more information, please see: https://www.kansasworks.com/jobs/13681231 At Heartspring, our mission is to help children with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), behavioral challenges, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities reach their fullest potential. We're looking for a compassionate, dependable Lead Paraprofessional to support students while providing leadership and guidance to classroom staff. If you're passionate about special education, enjoy mentoring others, and want to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families, we'd love to meet you. As a Lead Paraprofessional, you'll partner closely with the Special Education Teacher to support daily classroom operations while helping students succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. Student Support - Support students with autism, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral needs in the classroom. - Assist with academics, communication, social skills, emotional regulation, life skills, and activities of daily living (ADLs) as needed. - Encourage independence through positive behavior support and individualized instruction. - Build trusting relationships that help students grow and succeed. Classroom Leadership - Help oversee daily classroom routines and maintain a structured therapeutic learning environment. - Lead classroom operations when the teacher is unavailable. - Coach, mentor, and support paraprofessionals and classroom staff. - Assist with onboarding and training new team members. Behavior & Safety - Implement behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and positive behavior supports. - Respond appropriately during behavioral escalations using approved crisis intervention techniques. - Maintain a safe, supportive, and inclusive classroom for all students. Collaboration & Communication - Partner with teachers, therapists, nurses, and families to support student success. - Document student progress, incidents, and observations accurately. - Communicate professionally and effectively with staff and families. Quality & Compliance - Follow Heartspring policies and educational standards. - Support quality assurance initiatives and maintain accurate documentation. - Protect student confidentiality and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. What You'll Bring You'll be successful in this role if you are: - Dependable, ethical, and accountable with a strong work ethic. - Calm under pressure and able to make sound decisions during challenging situations. - An effective communicator with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills. - Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. - Passionate about providing exceptional service to students, families, and coworkers. - A collaborative leader who enjoys coaching and supporting teammates. - Comfortable using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Physical Requirements: - Lifting: Up to 30 lbs. frequently; 50 lbs. rarely - Carrying: 10-15 lbs. frequently; 50 lbs. seldom - Sitting/Standing/Walking: sit rarely; stand constantly; walk frequently - Climbing: rarely - Bending/Twisting/Kneeling/Reaching: frequently - Reaching: frequently - Pushing/Pulling: 10-15 lbs. occasionally; 50 lbs. rarely - Dexterity: constant hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity - Stamina/Endurance: mild exertion frequently; heavy exertion occasionally - Vision/Hearing: constant ability to see clearly and hear instructions or warnings - Mind-Body Connection: frequent awareness of body positioning and task execution \ Work Environment: - Environment Indoor and outdoor work environments - Safety Compliance & PPE Requirements: Adherence to safety protocols and protective gear use constantly. Mandatory use of Heartspring standard PPE, with additional protective gear (e.g., gloves, helmets, arm guards, leg guards) provided as needed. - Physical Interactions & Exposure Risks: Frequent exposure to physical interactions from clients, including slapping, hitting, punching, kicking, head-butting, and biting. Potential exposure to infectious diseases, parasites, bodily fluids, and blood-borne pathogens in a school and residential care setting. Why Heartspring? A meaningful career where you make a lasting impact every day. Collaborative, multidisciplinary teams dedicated to student success. Paid training, including CPR and CPI certification. Opportunities for professional growth and leadership d