Paraeducator - Non-Mainstream SpEd FOSS 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 at 168 days per year
• 3.5 hours per day at 10 days per year
• 7 hours per day for 4 days during 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 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

• Instructs moderately to severely handicapped students individually or in small groups to promote understanding of materials presented.
• Provides encouragement, reinforcement, and achievement of educational objectives defined by certificated staff.
• Assists in administering objective tests or other measurements.
• Communicates with certificated staff concerning individual student progress; adjusts methods to meet diverse student needs.
• Assists in maintaining records, logs, charts, and other documentation for student progress assessment.
• Monitors students for medical risks such as seizures and behaviors that may result in harm to themselves or others.
• Corrects behaviors and maintains discipline according to established policies and procedures.
• Assists students with toileting, including catheterization and diapering; attends to personal hygiene needs.
• Assists students in washing hands and face, brushing teeth and hair, and taking showers.
• Helps students develop interpersonal and personal skills; assists with feeding and teaches social aspects of eating.
• Supports students with basic living skills and pre-vocational activities.
• Works with students to develop communication skills and facilitates integration with age-group peers.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication with students, staff, and parents regarding student progress and safety.
• Provides physical assistance to students, such as lifting or positioning.
• Uses adaptive equipment to communicate with students; follows procedures established by physical therapists.
• Monitors need for first aid and refers for treatment as appropriate.
• Maintains cleanliness and hygiene of classroom, implements, and equipment.
• Washes dishes; cleans and disinfects tables, counters, clothes, towels, washcloths, and bibs.
• Alerts qualified district staff to student problems.
• Prepares, modifies, duplicates, and distributes materials for student use and enrichment activities.
• Maintains physical appearance of classroom and assigned areas; assembles and stores therapeutic and other equipment.
• May serve on district committees or departmental work teams.
• Models appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information.

Requirements

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

• Must 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.
  • Holds an AA degree or higher.
  • Earned seventy-two (72) quarter credits or forty-eight (48) semester credits at an accredited institution of higher education.
  • Completed a registered apprenticeship program offered by the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries.
  • Successfully completed The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program.

You may provide unofficial transcripts in your application but will be required to provide official ones upon hire.

Training

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

Qualifications

• Experience working with school-age children and special needs students preferred.
• Knowledge of non-violent crisis intervention, development and use of PECS, visual schedule systems, Social Stories, universal precautions, and toilet teaching for special needs.
• Understanding of child development and the needs of students on the Autism spectrum.
• Completion of the Autism Spectrum Disorder course.
• 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 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 and instructional techniques.
• Knowledge of a variety of behavior and learning disorders.
• Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures.
• Ability to remain calm when schedules change or students become agitated.
• Ability to learn the use of computers and software for student instruction and record-keeping.
• Ability to operate general office machines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and staff.
• Ability to diffuse situations and resolve conflicts.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

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

Mental Demands

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

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