The Quad Preparatory School

Lower School Psychosocial Assistant Health Paraprofessional

Opening for 2023-24 School Year
Updated: May 2023

Classification: Non-Exempt 

Reports to: Lower School Associate Clinical Director

Annual Salary Range: $35,000

At Quad Prep, we are on a mission — to transform the lives of neurodiverse, twice-exceptional people by redefining the experience of school. Through the collective, collaborative, and empathic work of our teachers and clinicians, we are empowering our students to engage with the exciting and wonderful diversity of this world. 

As we enter our 10th year, we are excited to welcome fellow innovators and collaborative colleagues to our team to be a part of this inspiring and impactful mission. At Quad Prep, a New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) Accredited School, we are eager to create challenging and engaging learning experiences for our students, to seek diverse perspectives, and to work together to continuously refine and redefine best practices in neurodiverse education. The Quad Preparatory School actively seeks to advance diversity through its programs and hiring.

Why work at Quad Prep?

• ACCREDITED SCHOOL: Quad Prep was recognized as an outstanding school when it received accreditation last year through NYSAIS.
• COMMUNITY: We are committed to building a joyful and inclusive culture where everybody is celebrated for who they are.   
• COLLEAGUES: Our colleagues are inspiring, consummate innovators and are at their happiest collaborating to create personalized solutions for each student.  
• STUDENTS We guarantee that you will learn something eye-opening every single day from our students — and have a lot of joy and laughter along the way!

• DEEP PROFESSIONAL LEARNING: Quad Prep supports mission-driven educators and clinicians to grow their professional skills and influence in the neurodiversity educational space. Close collaboration with colleagues, coaching from supportive leaders, and thoughtful, in-depth professional learning programs keep us growing.

• GENEROUS AND COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS

• Health: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Student Loan repayment 
• Retirement Plan contribution
• Group Life Plan
• Disability Insurance
• Generous Parental Leave

• WORK LIFE BALANCE:  In addition to a ten-month school year during which our staff are offered on average 33 days off (approximately 7 weeks) for scheduled holidays and school breaks, we provide generous preparation periods throughout each week, limiting the number of after work hours you will need to work —  so that you can live the life you wish for — inside and outside of our school. Additionally, our students are dismissed midday each Friday in order for you to meet with your team, plan, and prep.

• PROTECTED TIME * Staffing permitted, we strive to provide coverage to allow you to learn from one another, participate in one of our special PD programs, conduct original research, develop special projects, and participate in our initiatives to create the culture YOU want to work in.  

• EXTRAS You can build a private practice or tutor onsite during after school hours at low-cost reduced rates, available only to our Quad Prep professional staff.

Who We Are

(If Quad Prep is for you, you'll read what's below and feel, "That's me!")

At Quad Prep, we are guided by values that we hold dear and we have developed an innovative set of practices to meet our mission. We are:

Groundbreaking: We ignite our students’ talents and are passionate about their futures. You are:

• Passionate about our work and our mission
• Creative and excited about reaching each and every learner in new ways
• Excited to help create new, evidence-based best practices in this rapidly evolving field
• Able to set high expectations of both students and yourself and discover ways to meet them

Collaborative:  We function with an exceedingly deep degree of collaboration. You:

• Communicate effectively with colleagues
• Seek to understand yourself and others in order to welcome new perspectives 
• Are generous of spirit and willing to give and receive feedback and input freely
• Are kind, welcoming, and inclusive

Trustworthy:  We are steadfast and are accountable to our students and each other. You:

• Can be counted on to do what you say you will do
• Have a high level of ownership for personal and team results
• Can purposefully develop skills to find success in your work and our learning community
• Ask for support when you need it
• Project an unflappable, firm, and kind presence to our students

Constantly Learning and Growing:  We value continued growth and learning. You:

• Seek opportunities to learn and grow in your professional practice
• Support colleagues by sharing best practices and nurturing their learning
• Help the organization grow and improve by developing and sharing new ideas and approaches

Resourceful:  At Quad Prep, we dig deep to meet our mission. You: 

• Are highly effective and dedicated 
• Show initiative
• Display good judgment and sensibility
• Excellent at supporting students inside and outside the classroom

Flexible:  At Quad Prep, we never give up on each other and are driven by the ethos of “not if, but how.”   You are:

• Open to new ideas
• Nimble in fluid, changing environments
• Excited by growth, change, and innovation

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Quad Preparatory School is looking for 1:1 psychosocial assistants in our Lower School program (Kindergarten-5th grade) for the 2023-24 school year. As a psychosocial assistant health paraprofessional, your main role is to implement psychosocial strategies and interventions with the student that you are paired with and monitor their specific health needs. This student will be a student in a Lower School classroom, so you will be working directly as a team with their Head Academic Teachers, their Psychosocial Teacher, and their Associate Teacher. In addition, you will be working collaboratively with your students' clinical team (counselor, occupational therapist, speech-language therapist, and possibly a learning specialist) to ensure that you are meeting your students’ needs and creating a successful learning environment for them. You will also work in collaboration with the school nurse to monitor and meet the student’s health needs.

Psychosocial assistants  have the opportunity to receive mentorship and support from the Lower School Clinical Director, classroom head and associate teachers, and the clinical staff, including licensed speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists. You will receive significant professional development and experience working with twice-exceptional youth while being mentored by veteran special education teachers and clinicians. 

Expectations:

The Quad Preparatory School is looking for a 1:1 Psychosocial Assistant. Duties include:

• Work primarily with one assigned student to support all areas of learning, including academic content, psychosocial goals, and implementation of behavioral plans;
• Track psychosocial goals for assigned student; engage in data collection to monitor psychosocial progress;
• Collaboratively write progress reports for assigned student;
• Ensure safety of student, through use of Crisis Prevention techniques;
• Ensure health-based needs for the student are met, and work in conjunction with the school nurse to monitor these needs;
• Perform specialized physical health care as determined by student’s individual needs;
• Respond to emergencies, provide health-related care, and evaluate condition of student and notify school nurse when necessary;
• Accompany student with their classroom on daily trips to nearby parks, and occasional field trips;
• Support other students as instructed by supervisor; with classroom team, implement general classroom supports and routines
• Assist with providing support for students throughout the day (e.g. during outdoor recess, academic work periods, specials, lunch and snack)
• Assist assigned student with transitions between classes and activities; includes use of visual timers, reminders prior to transitions, prompts and praise for transitioning
• Implement instructional activities (provided by teachers) driven by student learning styles and multiple assessment alternatives, when students may need a break from group learning;
• Empower student to take charge of their learning by providing all necessary scaffolding and modeling, materials, and consistently maintaining a high level of expectation for student success;
• Collaborate with all academic and clinical staff members to support student in daily tasks and enrich learning;
• Work cooperatively with school administrators, special support personnel, colleagues, and parents to deliver a fully-integrated, student-centered learning environment for assigned student;
• Participate in all training and staff development modules, including reading required books and articles on cutting-edge 2E and other educational developments;
• Must be able to use GSuite, specifically Google Drive;
• Perform other duties as assigned
  
  

Competencies:

1. Love for working with children
2. Desire and ability to work with students with special needs
3. Ability to connect with older elementary school-aged children
4. Experience in crisis intervention
5. Providing engaging instruction
6. Effective oral and written communication
7. A solid understanding of elementary school-aged children’s academic, social, and emotional development
8. Attention to detail
9. Maintaining confidentiality and privacy
10. Ethical conduct
11. Time management and the ability to multitask
12. Teamwork and collaboration
13. Patience and flexibility

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Behavior management experience
• Current CPR and First Aid certification

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Nonviolent crisis management experience

Work Environment: 

This job operates in a school setting. School is located on the 4th floor of the building with an elevator. This role requires regular walking to various locations around the school and occasionally traveling to the Upper School campus approximately two blocks away. 

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. This position is active and involves continuous standing, walking, and climbing stairs. The employee must be able to lift and/or move items above or around 100 pounds. Typing is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: 

This is a full-time non-exempt position in an educational facility which is open eight hours a day. Teachers, psychosocial teachers, and staff clinicians work ten months out of the year according to the academic calendar (late August to late June). Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required. In general, though, hours are Monday-Friday 8am - 4pm. 

Compensation and Benefits: 

Compensation is dependent upon experience and degree obtained. 

At Quad Prep you’ll have access to a full range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; pre-tax transit and dependent care accounts; a 401K match and student loan repayment contributions (after one year of employment); and a range of professional development opportunities, including our First Year Support Program for all new facility and staff; our Leadership Development Institute for those wishing to gain supervisory experience; and a full tuition waiver for candidates wishing to participate in our annual Certificate Program in Meeting the Needs of Twice-Exceptional Students.

You’ll engage with your colleagues in our ongoing staff wellness groups, relax at our game nights and happy hours, and collaborate in meaningful work as a valued member of our voluntary groups, including our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce; our Staff Ambassador Program; and our Peer Mentorship Program.

Want to learn more about Quad Prep? Connect with us! 

***Note that all employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. Medical and Religious Exemptions may be provided.***

ADA/AAP/EEO Statement: The Quad Preparatory School is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. We take steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our People and Culture department at peopleandculture@quadprep.org.

The Quad Preparatory School is based on an inclusive philosophy that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital status, creed, sexual orientation, familial status, citizenship, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law in its hiring procedures and policies.

To apply, visit: https://app.trinethire.com/companies/10791-the-quad-preparatory-school/jobs/77634-lower-school-psychosocial-assistant-health-paraprofessional