Lead Paraprofessional

Description

JOB TITLE: Lead Paraprofessional

DIVISION: Academy

REPORTS TO: Operations Manager

SUPERVISES: None

EXEMPTION STATUS: Non-Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY: At BHA Academy, the Lead Paraprofessional is a senior instructional support and coordination role responsible for ensuring high-fidelity implementation of academic, behavioral, and therapeutic programming across classrooms. This role serves as the day-to-day lead for paraprofessional staff, supporting staffing coordination, coaching, documentation oversight, and consistency of classroom systems.

The Lead Paraprofessional works in close partnership with Case Managers, teachers, clinicians, and operations leadership to ensure students receive structured, predictable, and individualized supports aligned to their IEPs, BIPs, and treatment plans. This position requires strong leadership presence, organization, and the ability to support staff and students in high-intensity, therapeutic learning environments.

This is a safety-sensitive position. Employees must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, including maintaining continuous alertness, providing direct supervision, driving individuals served as required, and administering medications as trained

Lead Paras implement supports using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), working in close collaboration with Behavioral Clinicians to carry out evidence-based interventions, skill-building programs, and behavior support strategies with fidelity.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in education, psychology, behavioral science, or related field preferred
• Minimum two (2) years experience as a paraprofessional in a special education or therapeutic school setting
• Prior experience providing informal leadership, mentoring peers, or supporting classroom coordination strongly preferred

Performance Standards

• Demonstrates consistent high-fidelity implementation of instructional and behavioral plans
• Maintains strong attendance, reliability, and professional conduct
• Demonstrates leadership presence, sound judgment, and calm decision-making
• Applies feedback constructively and supports team growth

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organization, time management, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to coach and support paraprofessionals in real time
• Emotional resilience and professionalism in high-pressure situations

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Compassion with Purpose

• Build respectful, trauma-informed relationships with students, ensuring dignity, safety, and high expectations
• Support students with significant emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs using evidence-based practices
• Model compassionate, consistent responses to challenging behavior and guide peers in best practices
• Support paraprofessional staff with empathy while holding clear expectations for performance

Structure Builds Safety

• Coordinate daily paraprofessional staffing assignments to ensure classroom coverage and student safety
• Support consistent implementation of classroom routines, schedules, and transitions across settings
• Serve as a first point of contact for staffing issues, coverage gaps, and urgent operational needs during the school day
• Monitor adherence to visual schedules, reinforcement systems, and safety protocols

Professionalism in Every Moment

• Model professionalism, accountability, confidentiality, and ethical conduct at all times
• Provide in-the-moment coaching and redirection to paraprofessionals when expectations are not met
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with leadership, teachers, clinicians, and support staff
• Support a culture of feedback, growth, and mutual respect
• Administers medications and completes MAR documentation in accordance with training, physician orders, and BHA policy

Positivity Drives Progress

• Maintain a calm, solutions-focused approach during challenging or high-stress situations
• Encourage staff morale, teamwork, and resilience throughout the school day
• Reinforce strengths and celebrate student and staff progress

Education is Empowerment

• Conduct in-the-moment academic fidelity checks to ensure instructional strategies align with student plans
• Support paraprofessionals in data collection, instructional engagement, and academic supports
• Provide small-group or individualized instructional support as assigned
• Reinforce evidence-based instructional practices across classrooms

Consistency Creates Change

• Ensure consistent expectations, routines, and interventions across paraprofessional teams
• Monitor completion and accuracy of daily documentation, data sheets, student logs, and incident reports
• Identify documentation gaps and support corrective action
• Support continuity of care across classrooms and transitions

Reunification is Our Mission

• Support programming that promotes independence, regulation, and readiness for less restrictive environments
• Communicate observations and trends to Case Managers and leadership to inform student progress
• Ensure consistency of expectations even during staff changes or absences

Advocacy Through Action

• Advocate for student safety, dignity, and access to high-quality instruction
• Elevate concerns related to student needs, staffing, or program integrity to leadership
• Mentor paraprofessionals to build confidence, skill, and professional growth
• Serve as a stabilizing leader across Academy environments

Other Duties

• Support coverage and scheduling coordination in collaboration with designated parties.
• Conduct end-of-day checks on team documentation and ensure completion of required forms.
• Support onboarding and mentoring of new paraprofessionals.
• Perform other duties and special projects to support various organizational initiatives as assigned.
• Participate in team meetings, professional development, and required trainings (e.g., PCM, Tools of Choice, CPR/FA, Mandated Reporting).
• Support personal care needs (toileting, feeding, hygiene, mobility) as outlined in student plans.
• Complete documentation accurately and promptly, including data collection, incident reports, and daily notes.
• Maintain classroom cleanliness, organization, and safety standards.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

Full-Time Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k), HSA, Flexible Spending Account, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• PTO and Sick Time begin accruing on Day 1
• $100 monthly wellness spending account after 90 days
• OnDemand Pay (access earned wages when needed)

Pay & Sign-On Bonus

• Starting Pay: From $18.92/hour PLUS education, experience, and qualifications
• $1,000 Sign-On Bonus
• $500 after 90 days
• Additional $500 after 180 days (with continued employment in good standing)