The Director of Paraprofessional Services is a senior leadership role at The Helix School. This director's areas of responsibility is leading the school's instructional aide program with rigor and accountability. The right candidate brings strong supervisory instincts, an understanding of IEP-driven support systems, and the entrepreneurial drive to grow the paraprofessional programs from the ground up. They will work closely with the Executive Director and the full Helix Leadership Team.

Paraprofessional Program Leadership

The director serves as the primary leader and point of accountability for the school's instructional aide program, including all aides who support students with mandated aide designations in their Individualized Education Programs.

Management of Lead Paraprofessionals

• Recognize and develop high-performing aides as candidates for Lead Paraprofessional roles.
• Set clear performance expectations and provide regular feedback, coaching, and formal evaluations.
• Partner with the Clinical Director and Academic Directors to ensure Lead Paraprofessionals are implementing student support plans with fidelity.
• Support Lead Paraprofessionals in building their skills as supervisors and mentors to the broader aide team.
• Facilitate regular meetings with Lead Paraprofessionals to align on student needs, coverage priorities, and program updates.

Coverage and Scheduling

• Maintain and manage daily aide coverage for all students with IEP-mandated aide designations.
• Proactively identify and arrange coverage for planned and unplanned absences to ensure uninterrupted student support.
• Use Clipboard to build and maintain a substitute aide pool that supports continuity of service.

PTO and Time-Off Coordination

• Coordinate and approve aide PTO requests in alignment with school operational needs.
• Track and maintain accurate records of aide attendance, leave balances, and coverage history.
• Communicate PTO decisions clearly and in a timely manner.

Training and Professional Development

• Design and deliver ongoing professional development for aides, with emphasis on supporting autistic and neurodivergent learners.
• Ensure all aides are current on required trainings, certifications, and compliance obligations.

Observation and Performance Support

• Conduct regular classroom observations to assess aide effectiveness, consistency of implementation, and fidelity to student support plans.
• Provide coaching and performance support to aides based on observation findings.
• Collaborate with academic and clinical staff to align aide practices with student goals and classroom expectations.

HR Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison between the aide team and the school's HR function for all HR-related matters, including performance concerns, documentation, and corrective action.
• Partner with HR on hiring, onboarding, and offboarding of aides.
• Escalate complex HR issues appropriately and in accordance with school policy.

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated experience supervising paraprofessionals, instructional aides, or comparable support staff.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage schedules, coverage logistics, and HR coordination simultaneously.
• Clear, professional, and thoughtful communicator, both written and verbal.
• Familiarity with supporting autistic or neurodivergent learners.
• Expert practitioner in Zones of Regulation, DIR, trauma-informed care, and PRT, with these approaches fully integrated into practice.
• Ability to coach and model regulation-based approaches.
• Contributes nuanced student observations to team planning.
• Supports teacher and clinical staff in refining individual student support plans.
• Identifies systemic regulation challenges across the classroom environment.
• Ability to observe and collaborate effectively across all clinical areas.
• Contributes to a school culture of safety, predictability, and belonging.
• Recognized by families as a trusted, deeply attuned support person.
• Experience forecasting and managing program budgets.

Educational Background

• Bachelor's degree in education, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field such as Speech-Language Pathology or Occupational Therapy. A Master's degree is a plus.
• A minimum of five years of experience working in an educational setting, preferably with autistic or neurodivergent students.
• Equivalent combinations of education and directly relevant experience will be considered.

Preferred

• Experienced with working with the autistic and neurodivergent population.
• Program development or entrepreneurial experience in an educational or nonprofit setting.

Personal Qualities

• Flexible and kind in addressing challenges.
• Logical, strategic thinker with attention to both detail and the big picture.
• Comfortable leading through ambiguity and building structures that do not yet exist.
• Eager to learn new skills and grow alongside a mission-driven team.
• A sense of humor is always welcome.

Reporting Structure

This position reports directly to the Executive Director and works closely with all members of the Helix Leadership Team. The director provides monthly updates to the Leadership Team and collaborates regularly with the Clinical Director, Academic Directors, and HR Manager.