Paraeducator - SPED / Developmentally Responsive Kindergarten (DRK)

6.5 hours per day at 178 days per year. 7 hours per day for 4 days the first year and 2 days each year following until certification is completed.

Pay

PSE Salary Schedule Level 5 - $25.40 (26-27 PSE Salary Schedule)

Schedule

• Official hire date is based on School Board approval and may change without notice.
• Must complete Right Response Training within 3-5 months of hire.
• Must successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and General Paraeducator Certificate of the state-mandated Paraeducator Certificate Program per State requirements (dependent upon State funding).

Requirements

To be considered for this instructional paraeducator position, you must meet the following federal minimum employment 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 a registered apprenticeship program offered by the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries.
  • Successful completion of The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program.

About the role

This position assists certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for students with disabilities in an integrated Kindergarten classroom. Responsibilities include instructing students individually or in small groups, assisting with basic life skills, and supervising student behavior.

Responsibilities

• Instructs students with a range of disabilities individually or in small groups to promote understanding of materials presented.
• Provides encouragement, reinforcement, and achievement of educational objectives and goals defined by certificated staff.
• Assists in the administration of 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, assignments, and other records for assessment of student progress.
• Attends to student physical and safety needs; monitors students for medical risks such as seizures and behaviors that may result in harm.
• Corrects behaviors and maintains discipline according to established policies and procedures.
• Assists students with toileting, which may include 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.
• Assists students with basic living skills and pre-vocational activities.
• Works with students to develop communication skills; facilitates integration with age-group peers.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication with students, staff, parents, and the community regarding student progress and safety.
• Provides physical assistance to students, such as lifting or positioning.
• Uses adaptive equipment to communicate with students; follows and documents 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 and counters; washes and dries clothes, towels, washcloths, and bibs.
• Alerts qualified district staff to student problems.
• Locates, prepares, and/or modifies materials for student use, enrichment activities, and special projects under the direction of certificated staff.
• Prepares, duplicates, collates, and distributes materials; operates office equipment.
• Maintains physical appearance of classroom and assigned areas; maintains, assembles, and stores therapeutic and other equipment.
• May serve on district committees and/or departmental work teams.
• Models appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information.
• Performs 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 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 lift five (5) to ten (10) pounds.
• 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.

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 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 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 some confidentiality.
• Willing to be trained in a variety of medical procedures if necessary, such as administration of medication, tube feeding, etc.

Licenses/Special Requirements

• Requires fingerprinting and background check to determine no convictions involving physical molestation, abuse, injury, or neglect of a minor.
• Must complete training in and adhere to district infection control plan.
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certification.
• Hepatitis-B immunization is offered.
• Must complete Right Response Training and receive qualifications within the first 3-5 months of hire date; renewal required annually.
• Must successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and General Paraeducator Certificate of the state-mandated Paraeducator Certificate Program per State requirements (dependent upon State funding).

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