Paraeducator - Mainstream Special Education SUPPORT

This is a 1:1 support paraeducator position. A change in assignment and/or location may occur based on student specific needs and variances in school enrollment.

Schedule

• 6.5 hours per day at 168 days per year
• 3.5 hours per day for 10 days
• 7 hours per day for 4 days in the first year and 2 days each year following until certification is completed

Pay

PSE Salary Schedule Level 5 - $25.40 per hour

Responsibilities

• Assist certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for mainstream special education students
• Instruct students individually or in small groups to promote understanding of materials presented
• Provide encouragement, reinforcement, and achievement of educational objectives and goals defined by certificated staff
• Administer and supervise objective tests or other measurements under direction of certificated staff
• Communicate with certificated staff concerning individual student progress; adjust methods to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities
• Consult with certificated staff concerning remediation or enrichment activities
• Assist in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments, and other records for assessment of student progress
• Correct, score, or grade papers and assignments according to guidelines or instructions
• Supervise student behavior in classrooms, playgrounds, halls, at lunch or breaks, at bus boarding areas, on field trips, and at other sites as assigned
• Correct behaviors and maintain discipline according to established policies and procedures
• Instruct students in behavioral rules and codes for student safety, socialization, and individual growth
• Assist students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery
• Establish and maintain effective communication with students, staff, parents, and the public for student progress, safety, and community relations
• Provide physical assistance to handicapped students, such as lifting and positioning or assistance with personal hygiene
• Monitor need for first aid for injured or ill students and refer for treatment as appropriate
• Alert qualified district staff to student problems
• Locate, prepare, and/or modify materials for student use, enrichment activities, and special projects under the direction of certificated staff
• Prepare, duplicate, collate, and distribute materials; operate a variety of office equipment
• Serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams
• Model appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information, consistent with district ethical guidelines

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age
• Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Meet one of the following:
  • Successfully passed the ETS ParaPro test or Pearson Paraprofessional assessment
  • AA degree or higher
  • Earned seventy-two (72) quarter credits or forty-eight (48) semester credits at an accredited institution of higher education
  • Completion of registered apprenticeship program offered by the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries
  • Successful completion of The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program
• Complete Right Response Training within 3-5 months of hire
• Successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and General Paraeducator Certificate of the state-mandated Paraeducator Certificate Program (dependent upon State funding)
• Fingerprinting and background check to determine no convictions involving physical molestation, abuse, injury, or neglect of a minor
• Complete training in and adhere to district infection control plan
• Hepatitis-B immunization
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certification
• May be required to attend training and become Right Response certified

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 with changes in assignments
• Ability to organize activities
• Ability to follow and give instructions
• Ability to be fair and consistent when working with students
• Ability to learn effective behavior management techniques
• Ability to learn effective instructional techniques
• Knowledge of a variety of behavior and learning disorders
• 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

Benefits

For details on the following benefits, visit the district's website:

• Salaries/Wages
• Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Paid Time Off or Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Other Compensation

Mental Demands

• May experience frequent interruptions
• Required to deal with a wide range of student behaviors and academic abilities
• Required to deal with a wide range of physical or emotional disabilities
• May occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students

Physical Demands

• Potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students
• Exposed to student noise levels
• Required to lift and position students and their special equipment such as wheelchairs
• Required to work in non-routine positions for extended periods
• May be required to attend to students' personal hygiene
• May be exposed to biting behavior
• May need to take precautions to avoid exposure to student bodily fluids
• Playground supervision requires working outdoors in inclement weather