Para Assist. 1 Newcomer Support HQ OYO @ O'Brien MS (35 hrs./Ends June 2027)

Under general supervision of site administration and in collaboration with the EL Teacher/EL Facilitator, the Paraprofessional Assistant I provides targeted instructional and social-emotional support to English Learner (EL) students through individual and small-group assistance. This role specializes in coordinating and facilitating the school transition for newcomer students and their families (students new to U.S. schools and/or the English language).

Responsibilities

• Instructional Support (EL Students)
  • Adapt classroom activities, assignments, and materials under the direction of the EL Teacher/EL Facilitator to reinforce language development and build academic language/content knowledge.
  • Provide individual or small-group support (including pre-teaching to build background knowledge) that enables equitable access to grade-level (Tier I) content.
  • Monitor current and former EL student progress toward language and content objectives/targets; provide timely feedback to students, EL staff, and general education teachers.
  • Collaborate with instructional staff to improve the overall quality of student language outcomes.
  • Assist with language acquisition activities to build receptive and productive skills.
  • Model effective English communication.
  • Promote student self-efficacy through positive reinforcement and culturally responsive practices.
• Newcomer-Specific Responsibilities
  • Serve as a primary site contact for newcomer students and families during the initial year of enrollment, ensuring welcoming, culturally responsive onboarding.
  • Assist with newcomer intake and orientation, including gathering prior educational background, initial needs information, and scheduling/connecting with appropriate services (per site protocols).
  • Coordinate the newcomer school experience with the District Newcomer Consultant, site administration, EL Teacher/Facilitator, counselors, and community partners.
  • Support classroom teachers in planning and delivering Tier I instruction with appropriate scaffolds for newcomers and short-term ELs (e.g., visuals, sentence frames, structured interaction routines, background building).
  • Facilitate school-home communication for newcomer families (e.g., reminders, resource navigation) and help coordinate interpretation services per district procedures.
  • Provide supervision and informal check-ins for newcomers in classrooms and common areas (e.g., lunch/recess), reinforcing school routines and social-emotional adjustment.
• Culture, Climate, and Safety
  • Demonstrate understanding of the sociocultural contexts of learning and reinforce inclusive classroom routines and norms.
  • Monitor students across educational environments (classroom, cafeteria, playground, etc.) to support a safe, positive learning environment.
  • Maintain confidentiality regarding student information and professional work products.
• Professional Responsibilities
  • Attend required meetings and professional learning to acquire or share information related to job functions and best practices for EL/newcomer support.
  • Demonstrate cooperation, receptiveness to feedback, and contribution to a collaborative team approach.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and skills would be:

• Education And Experience
  • Option 1: Completion of 48 semester or 60 quarter units from an accredited college/university (preferably in child development, education, special education, or related field). AND one (1) year of relevant experience.
  • Option 2: High school diploma. AND two (2) years of experience as a Paraeducator aide or in a similar instructional/guidance role.
• Highly Qualified (HQ): Individual selected into a Title 1 school must be Highly Qualified for this assignment. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and have completed one of the following:
  • Completed at least 48 semester hours of credit at an accredited college or university; or
  • Obtained an associate's degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university; or
  • Passed the ParaPro Assessment prepared and administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS) with a score of at least 460.

Skills

Knowledge Of:

• Educational principles and techniques.
• Physical, emotional, and academic needs of students.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Basic mathematics.
• Office procedures, file, and records management.

Skill In:

• Instructing EL students in academic areas.
• Preparing lesson plans and teaching aids.
• Typing, spelling, reading, writing, and speaking English proficiently.
• Maintaining accurate records and documents.
• Developing instructional materials and performing math computations.
• Operating office and audio-visual equipment.

Ability To:

• Provide support to effectively build student confidence.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with parents and staff.
• Evaluate situations and take appropriate action based on student need.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Establish effective working relationships.

Work Environment / Physical Demands

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work Environment
  • Exposure to weather: Occasionally
  • Exposure to loud noises: Continuously
  • Working in confined spaces: Occasionally
  • Working at heights: Never
  • Working with hazardous materials: Never
• Physical Demands
  • Lifting/Carrying: Rarely
  • Standing/Walking: Occasionally
  • Bending/Stooping: Rarely
  • Reaching: Rarely
  • Pushing/Pulling: Rarely
  • Climbing: Rarely
  • Fine motor skills: Never

Definitions:

• Never: The activity or condition does not occur.
• Rarely: The activity or condition occurs less than 10% of the time.
• Occasionally: The activity or condition occurs 10-30% of the time.
• Frequently: The activity or condition occurs 30-60% of the time.
• Continuously: The activity or condition occurs more than 60% of the time.

Pay

Salary Grade 17

• Sch A: $15.44 (entry step)
• Sch B: $18.56 (entry step)

Salaries are subject to adjustment and may increase and decrease each fiscal year. New employees hired by Washoe County School District are normally placed on the entry step of the grade of the position.

Schedule

This is a One Year Only position ending June 2027. This position is grant-funded and is contingent upon continued funding. The hiring administrator may retain the incumbent for the duration of the grant without re-advertising.

Benefits

Benefit packages are available for all employees. Eligible employees who are regularly scheduled to work 27.5 hours per week or more receive full benefits of the District, including but not limited to:

• No waiting period on Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Employees may select an insurance plan wherein WCSD contributes 100% of insurance premiums
• Sick Leave, Holiday Pay, and Vacation Pay
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Contribution options will be explained in detail during the New Employee Orientation
• Salary Increases
• Longevity Bonuses
• Guidance Resources

Temporary employees working less than 6 months do not receive benefits.

New employees will be fingerprinted upon hire and every five years thereafter and will have $58.50 deducted from their first paycheck to help defray the cost of fingerprinting. Non-licensed employees will have $58.50 deduction when their fingerprints are completed every five years. Fingerprint fees are subject to change.