Para - Multi-Tiered System of Support

6.5 hours per day, 178 days per year. First year: 7 hours per day for 4 days; 2 days each subsequent year until certification is completed. Pay: PSE Salary Schedule Level 5 - $25.40 per hour.

Official hire date is based on School Board approval and may change without notice.

Requirements

To be considered for this instructional paraeducator position, you must meet the following federal minimum employment requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older;
• Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent; and one of the following:
  • Successfully passed the ETS Para Pro test;
  • AA degree;
  • Earned seventy-two (72) quarter credits or forty-eight (48) semester credits at an accredited institution of higher education; or
  • Completion of a registered apprenticeship program offered by the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries.

Unofficial transcripts may be provided in your application; official transcripts will be required upon hire. Must successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and General Paraeducator Certificate of the state-mandated Paraeducator Certificate Program, dependent upon State funding.

About the role

This position assists certificated staff, the MTSS team, and administrators with instructional and non-instructional activities for students considered to be Tier 2 or Tier 3. The role involves working with students individually or in small groups as part of an intervention program within the building MTSS, in collaboration with certificated staff and administration.

Responsibilities

• Instructs students individually or in small groups in various subject areas, settings, and learning activities.
• Implements methods to support individual students academically and behaviorally under the direction of certificated staff; promotes student understanding of materials and a positive attitude toward learning.
• Reinforces concepts and skills.
• Administers and supports Tier II interventions such as check-in/check-out, completes behavior tracking forms, and may pull students out of or push into classrooms for intervention and support.
• Locates, prepares, and/or modifies materials for student use under the direction of certificated staff.
• Provides guidance and motivation to students; facilitates mastery of skills and concepts; promotes completion of work.
• Communicates with certificated staff concerning individual student needs and progress on student plans.
• Documents progress of assigned students; maintains intervention records manually and on computer; assists in preparing and updating student progress and plans; may assist in communication with parents.
• Constructs learning tools such as flash cards, number games, and other learning materials; may research and locate learning materials; compiles materials for student interventions and supports; may order materials and supplies as needed.
• Types, duplicates, collates, organizes, and distributes intervention materials.
• May create posters, charts, and design bulletin boards.
• Operates a variety of office equipment and computers.
• Conducts student observations for behavior, academic, or social-emotional needs.
• Assists the MTSS team with scheduling meetings, taking notes, updating student plans, etc.
• May attend Tier I, II, or III meetings as necessary and outlined by the administrator.
• Assists the MTSS team with administering screening of students, setting up testing schedules, scoring, and recording screening results in a digital data system.
• Maintains and updates student plans, teacher surveys, and follows up with the MTSS team to help create next steps for students and staff.
• Alerts qualified district staff to student problems.
• Provides general clerical support; maintains student files and records; provides teacher support by duplicating materials.
• Attends a variety of staff and program meetings as requested.
• May serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams.
• Models appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information, consistent with district ethical guidelines.
• Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Associate degree, or two years of higher education, or completion of the Washington State paraeducator assessment required.
• Experience working with school-aged children and instructional/remedial education preferred.

Skills

• Demonstrated skill in reading, writing, and communicating.
• Knowledge of basic subject areas such as reading and math.
• Ability to deal with students in a warm and confident manner.
• Ability to remain flexible to changes in assignments.
• Ability to organize activities.
• Ability to follow and give instructions.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to be fair and consistent when working with children.
• Ability to learn and implement effective behavior management techniques.
• Ability to learn and implement effective instructional techniques.
• Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures.
• Ability to learn the use of computers and various software packages for student instruction and record keeping.
• Ability to learn the operation of general office machines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and staff.

Licenses & Special Requirements

• Requires fingerprinting and background check to ensure no convictions involving physical molestation, abuse, injury, or neglect of a minor.
• Must complete training in and adhere to the district infection control plan.

Working Conditions

• May experience frequent interruptions; required to deal with a wide range of student behaviors and academic abilities.
• May occasionally deal with a wide range of physical or emotional disabilities or distraught/difficult students.
• Potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students; exposed to student noise levels.
• Use of equipment such as paper cutters in the presence of students requires safety awareness.
• May be exposed to visual display terminals for prolonged periods.
• Will frequently lift five (5) pounds and occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the school principal. Receives guidance from a basic skills specialist; coordinates with certificated staff.