Paraeducator - Non-Mainstream Special Education - Structured Program 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 for 168 days per year
• 3.5 hours per day for 10 days per year
• First year: 7 hours per day for 4 days
• Following years: 7 hours per day for 2 days each year until certification is completed

Pay

PSE Salary Schedule Level 5 - $24.76 (25-26 PSE Salary Schedule)

Required Training

• Complete Right Response Training and receive qualifications within 3-5 months; renewal required annually
• Complete the online Autism Spectrum Disorder course within 3 months of hire
• 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
  • 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 a registered apprenticeship program offered by the Washington State Dept. 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.

About the Role

This position assists certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for non-mainstreamed special education students, generally in a self-contained classroom. Responsibilities include instructing students individually or in small groups, assisting with basic life skills, and supervising student behavior. Activities may involve personal care, toilet teaching, feeding, and communication development in addition to academic or pre-academic instruction.

Responsibilities

• Instruct moderately to severely handicapped students individually or in small groups to promote understanding of materials presented
• Provide encouragement, reinforcement, and support for educational objectives and goals defined by certificated staff
• Assist in administering objective tests or other measurements
• Communicate with certificated staff concerning individual student progress and adjust methods to meet diverse student needs
• Assist in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments, and other documentation for student progress assessment
• Attend to student physical and safety needs, including monitoring for medical risks such as seizures or harmful behaviors
• Correct behaviors and maintain discipline according to established policies and procedures
• Assist students with toileting, including catheterization and diapering, and attend to personal hygiene needs
• Help students with washing, brushing teeth, and taking showers
• Assist students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery, including feeding and teaching social aspects of eating
• Support students in developing communication skills and facilitate integration with age-group peers
• Establish and maintain effective communication with students, staff, and parents regarding student progress and safety
• Provide physical assistance to students, such as lifting or positioning
• Use adaptive equipment to communicate with students and follow procedures established by physical therapists
• Monitor and provide first aid for students as needed
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene of classroom, implements, and equipment
• Prepare, duplicate, collate, and distribute materials; operate office equipment
• Maintain the physical appearance of the classroom and other assigned areas
• Alert qualified district staff to student problems
• Model appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information
• Perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the school principal or assigned administrator; receives guidance from certificated staff.

Mental Demands

• May experience frequent interruptions
• Required to deal with a wide range of student behaviors and academic abilities
• Required to address a variety 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

Qualifications

• Education, training, skills, and experience necessary to carry out the assignment; experience working with school-age children and special needs students preferred
• Non-violent crisis intervention, development and use of PECS, visual schedule systems, and visual supports
• Use of Social Stories, universal precautions, and toilet teaching for special needs
• Understanding of child development and the needs of students on the Autism spectrum
• Sensory processing knowledge
• 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 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 deal with students in a warm and confident manner
• Ability to remain flexible with changes in assignments
• Ability to organize activities and follow instructions
• Ability to be fair and consistent when working with students
• Ability to learn and implement effective behavior management techniques
• Ability to learn and implement effective instructional techniques
• Knowledge of a variety of behavior and learning disorders
• Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures
• Ability to remain flexible and calm when schedules change or students become agitated
• 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
• Ability to diffuse situations and resolve conflicts
• Requires discretion with confidential information

Licenses/Special Requirements

• 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
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certification
• Hepatitis-B immunization is offered

PSE Unit Affiliation: Paraeducator/Special Services

Benefits

For details on salaries/wages, insurance, retirement plans, paid time off or vacation, paid holidays, and other compensation, visit the district's benefits page.