Paraeducator - Non-Mainstream Special Education ILC - SUPPORT

This position is for 6.5 hours per day at 164 days per year and 3.5 hours per day at 14 days per year. 7 hours per day for 4 days for the first year and 2 days each year following until certification is completed.

Pay

PSE Salary Schedule Level 5 - $25.40 per hour

About the role

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. The official hire date depends on School Board approval and may change without notice.

Required training:

• Complete Right Response Training within 3–5 months of hire; renewal required annually.
• Successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and General Paraeducator Certificate of the state-mandated Paraeducator Certificate Program (dependent on State funding).

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.
• Meet one of the following:
  • Successfully passed the ETS ParaPro test or Pearson Paraprofessional assessment.
  • Associate degree or higher.
  • Earned seventy-two (72) quarter credits or forty-eight (48) semester credits at an accredited institution of higher education.
  • Completion of a registered apprenticeship program offered by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
  • Successful completion of The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program.

Unofficial transcripts may be provided in your application, but official transcripts will be required upon hire.

Responsibilities

This position assists certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for non-mainstreamed special education students, generally in a self-contained classroom. Duties include:

• Instructing students individually or in small groups to promote understanding of materials presented.
• Providing encouragement, reinforcement, and support for educational objectives and goals defined by certificated staff.
• Assisting in the administration of objective tests or other measurements.
• Communicating with certificated staff concerning individual student progress; adjusting methods to meet diverse student needs.
• Assisting in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments, and other documentation for student progress assessment.
• Attending to student physical and safety needs, including monitoring for medical risks such as seizures or harmful behaviors.
• Correcting behaviors and maintaining discipline according to established policies and procedures.
• Assisting students with toileting, which may include catheterization and diapering, as well as personal hygiene (e.g., washing hands, brushing teeth, showering).
• Helping students develop interpersonal and personal skills, including feeding and teaching social aspects of eating.
• Supporting students with basic living skills and pre-vocational activities.
• Facilitating communication skills development and promoting integration with age-group peers.
• Providing physical assistance to students, such as lifting or positioning, and using adaptive equipment for communication.
• Monitoring and administering first aid as needed.
• Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene of the classroom, implements, and equipment (e.g., washing dishes, cleaning tables, laundering clothes).
• Preparing, duplicating, and distributing materials; operating office equipment.
• Maintaining the physical appearance of the classroom and assigned areas, including assembling and storing therapeutic equipment.
• Serving on district committees or departmental work teams as needed.
• Modeling appropriate and cooperative behavior while protecting confidential information.

Qualifications

• Education, training, skills, and experience necessary to carry out the assignment; experience working with school-age children and special needs students preferred.
• For Title One and Title One School-wide Special Education positions: associate degree, proof of completion of the Washington State Paraeducator Assessment, or two years of higher education (per the Federal "No Child Left Behind" Act).

Skills

• Demonstrated skill in reading, writing, and communicating.
• Knowledge of basic subject areas, such as reading and math.
• Ability to interact with students in a warm and confident manner.
• Flexibility in adapting to changes in assignments.
• Ability to organize activities and follow instructions.
• Fairness and consistency when working with students.
• Ability to learn and implement effective behavior management and instructional techniques.
• Knowledge of a variety of behavior and learning disorders, as well as student safety rules and procedures.
• Ability to learn the use of computers and software for student instruction and record-keeping.
• Ability to operate general office machines.
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and staff.
• Ability to diffuse situations and resolve conflicts.
• Willingness to maintain confidentiality.
• Willingness to be trained in medical procedures (e.g., medication administration, tube feeding) if necessary.

Licenses & Special Requirements

• Fingerprinting and background check required; no convictions involving physical molestation, abuse, injury, or neglect of a minor.
• Must complete training in and adhere to the district infection control plan.
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certification.
• Hepatitis-B immunization offered.

Benefits

For details on the following benefits, visit the district’s benefits page:

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