Special Education Paraprofessional

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential. And it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

The Paraprofessional / Individualized Learning Specialist provides direct support to students with individualized learning, behavioral, social-emotional, functional, and personal care needs in the school environment. This role supports students in general education and special education settings, including classrooms, small-group settings, recess, lunch, transitions, and other school-based activities.

The Paraprofessional works under the supervision and direction of a certificated Education Specialist, who provides training, oversight, and guidance. This role is responsible for helping implement accommodations, modifications, instructional supports, behavior plans, and individualized student supports aligned to students’ Individualized Education Programs.

The ideal candidate is patient, flexible, student-centered, and committed to helping all students access instruction, participate meaningfully in school, and make progress toward their academic, behavioral, and functional goals.

The ideal candidate is:

• Student-centered, with a strong belief that all students can learn, grow, and succeed.
• Patient and compassionate, especially when supporting students with significant academic, behavioral, functional, or personal care needs.
• Reliable and professional, with strong follow-through and attention to detail.
• Collaborative, with the ability to work closely with teachers, Education Specialists, paraprofessionals, school leaders, families, and related service providers.
• Flexible and adaptable, with comfort working in a fast-paced school environment.
• Calm under pressure, with the ability to support students during challenging moments.
• Respectful and discreet, especially when supporting personal care needs and confidential student information.
• Passionate about working with children and committed to Rocketship’s mission.

Hourly pay for this role ranges from $21.00 to $26.00 per hour. Final hourly rate will be determined in accordance with the applicable salary schedule.

High school diploma or equivalent.

At least two years of college coursework, associate degree, or passing score on Rocketship’s Paraprofessional Assessment.

Ability to work under the direction of a certificated Education Specialist, teacher, or school leader.

Ability to support students with academic, behavioral, social-emotional, functional, and personal care needs.

Strong interpersonal skills, including tact, patience, professionalism, and courtesy.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when working with students and families.

Ability to communicate effectively with students, families, and school staff.

Commitment to Rocketship Public Schools’ mission, vision, and goals.

Experience working with children in a school, childcare, youth development, special education, behavioral support, or related setting.

Experience supporting students with disabilities.

Experience implementing accommodations, modifications, behavior supports, or individualized student plans.

Experience collecting student data or supporting progress monitoring.

Experience supporting students with personal care, functional skills, or adaptive needs.

Bilingual skills preferred, based on school community needs.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Compensation:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.

Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is abs