Paraeducator - Employment and Transition Program 1:1

About the Role

This position involves working one-on-one with a student in the Employment and Transition Program (ETP), which teaches employment, personal management, and recreation/leisure skills to 18 to 21-year-old students with developmental disabilities. Under the supervision of a certificated teacher, specialist, or principal, the Paraeducator performs instructional, tutorial, and clerical tasks, as well as health-related procedures as needed. Paraeducators collaborate in a large team-teaching environment to meet each student’s individual needs and may also work with small groups in work experience or vocational settings.

Responsibilities

• Accomplish tasks specific to special assignments while adhering to legal and program parameters.
• Work directly under the supervision of a certificated teacher or specialist, following their directions.
• Instruct individuals or small groups and supervise students for extended periods.
• Perform clerical tasks and health-related procedures, including hygiene, diapering, and administering special programs or tests (when properly trained).
• Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines.
• Assist students in the pool.
• Travel with students using local transit or District vehicles.
• Perform instructional clerical tasks and collaborate with District staff to promote teamwork.
• Assist substitute teachers with classroom-specific information.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• One of the following:
  • AA degree, or
  • 48 college-level semester credits, or
  • 72 college-level quarter credits, or
  • Pass the state-approved ParaPro Assessment.
• Proficient in basic spelling, math, and grammar skills.
• Experience and/or training in reading instruction, remediation, and assessment.
• Pass a criminal background check and fitness-for-duty examination.
• Possess and maintain a Washington State driver’s license and Type II driver’s license.
• Complete the district’s paraeducator core competency requirements.
• Possess and maintain Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) certification.
• Successfully complete and maintain FWPS district-approved Right Response training at the advanced level.
• Possess and maintain American Heart Association or American Red Cross CPR and first aid training.
• Work scheduled hours consistently.

Skills

• Knowledge of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), English grammar, spelling, and basic math.
• Familiarity with Positive Behavior Interventions, Right Response, and de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to demonstrate basic knowledge of modern technology and willingness to increase proficiency.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong work attendance, punctuality, and adherence to District procedures for reporting absences.
• Enthusiasm, flexibility, and commitment to students.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with staff and service providers.
• Ability to follow written and verbal directions with minimal supervision.
• Patience and skill in working with students with special emotional, academic, and social needs, including violent behavior.
• Caring attitude and ability to create an environment that encourages appropriate behavior and learning.
• Judgment to act independently or refer to higher authority as needed.
• Adherence to ethical and professional standards of conduct, including confidentiality.
• Effective communication with staff, students, parents/guardians, and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community.
• Commitment to professional growth and performing essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

Cultural Competence and Equity

• Knowledge and awareness of your own cultural identity and how it influences behavior, with a desire to learn about others’ cultural identities.
• Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons.
• Ability to understand and uphold the District’s commitment to “Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future.”
• Ability to recognize each person’s uniqueness while celebrating their group cultural heritage.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

• Constantly sit, stand, walk, bend neck and back, and use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling.
• Frequently squat, kneel, and use hands for fine manipulation.
• Occasionally climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, crawl, and lift/carry.
• Constantly lift/carry up to 10 lbs, frequently lift/carry up to 25 lbs, and occasionally lift/carry up to 50 lbs (lifting over 50 lbs requires two people or a mechanical device).
• Occasionally push/pull a maximum force of 200 lbs.

Work Conditions

• Regularly work in indoor and outdoor conditions.
• Intermittently work near a video display.
• Moderate noise level in the work environment.
• Occasional exposure to angry, frustrated, or aggressive individuals, typically in a school classroom.
• Potential exposure to infectious diseases.
• Occasional requirement to get in a swimming pool.

Schedule

This is a school-year assignment. Hours and days may vary slightly depending on the school site.

Pay

Compensation follows the Paraeducator position on the PSE Salary Schedule.