Paraeducator, Special Education Behavior

ABOUT US

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes.

Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date prior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely.

Job Posting End Date:

10-26-2026

Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.

DESCRIPTION 

Working under the general supervision of the Director, Special Education Early Childhood, Birth-21 and Director, Special Education, Specialized Programming, the Special Education K-12 Behavior Paraeducator will work directly with students to support their behavioral skills growth. This individual must be able to provide their own transportation to assigned schools. School assignment is dependent on student needs. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime. 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

 

Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy. 

 

Education 

• High School Diploma/GED Equivalent (must scan and upload diploma or official transcript to online application). Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization. For a list of approved vendors, please click here. 

 

Additional Requirements for Title I Schoolwide Program Schools 

• High School Diploma/GED Equivalent and a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment. 

or 

• 48 college credits or more from an accredited college or university. 

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

 

• Experience working with students in a PK-12 setting.  

• One (1) year of experience working with children with disabilities. 

• Associate degree from an accredited college or university. 

• Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity/awareness. 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality. 

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and oral form. 

• Ability to act in a professional manner in all circumstances.  

• Ability to remain calm under trying circumstances. 

• Ability to be flexible when working with students and staff. 

• Ability to carry out assignments to completion. 

• Knowledge and understanding of positive behavior support.  

• Ability to communicate problems affecting student’s progress with the Behavior Specialist.   

• Ability to follow directions of the Behavior Specialist which may include supporting behavioral strategies presented to the school staff. 

• Proficient with a variety of office technology for communication, data collection, support logs. 

 

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 

 

• Provide instructional support and assistance to the Behavior Specialist and the school-based instructional team who are implementing the Behavior Intervention Plans for students. 

• Support teachers and other members of the school-based instructional team in preparing instructional and behavioral support materials for students. 

• Provide data collection and clerical support to assist in tracking student progress and supporting Behavioral Intervention Plans.  

• Assist school staff in implementing Behavior Intervention Plans. 

• Assist with demonstrating behavioral interventions/strategies for the school-based team. 

• Attend monthly school-based and Department of Special Education team/staff meetings. 

• Prepare instructional materials. 

• Provide support for students transitioning between grade levels. 

• Provide support to transportation staff in the implementation of behavior plans while students are being transported.  

• Other duties as assigned. 

 

The above list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. 

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS  

 

Working Environment 

• School buildings, classrooms, community, and/or outdoor setting under a variety of weather conditions. 

• Exposure to high pitched/louder verbalizations by students, bodily fluids, students with more challenging behavior, etc. 

• May be required to assist with students exhibiting challenging behaviors including implementing a continuum of positive behavior supports.  

• May require customized training to accommodate the special needs of students. 

 

 

Physical Requirements 

• Must be able to frequently lift and/or carry 50-75 pounds with assistance. 

• Physical ability to work around children including standing and sitting, in a chair and/or on the floor, for extended periods of time. 

• Physical ability to complete bending, pushing/pulling, walking, running, kneeling, twisting, squatting, crouching, overhead and above shoulder reaching movements (e.g., push/move wheelchairs, walkers, wagons, etc.). 

• Must be able to use hands and fingers to operate standard office as well as student devices/equipment or classroom equipment. 

• Must be able to actively monitor and respond to students who elope from the classroom, school building, or other emergency situations. Including the ability to move quickly towards students who may elope from an assigned area. 

• Requires visual acuity to read and write printed materials and observe the activities of children. 

• Ability to hear, with or without use of hearing aid(s), sufficient to hear any conversation with others. 

 

The person selected for this position must meet all requirements of the physical examination administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education. 

 

Working Hours 

• The duty day for a full-time position is 7.5 hours per day including an unpaid, thirty-minute duty-free lunch.  

• Must be able to accommodate a flexible schedule and change of location, as needed. 

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

 

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. 

 

SELECTION CRITERIA 

 

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.  

 

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION 

 

Compensation 

This is a 10-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. This position is salary Grade VIII on the Secretaries and Assistants salary scale. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime.   

 

Retirement 

Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary.  

 

Benefits 

HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit. 

 

Pre-Employment Requirements 

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors. 

 

All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing. 

 

Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship. 

 

For questions regarding this posting, please contact natasha_mahasa@hcpss.org . 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org.

HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability,  sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.