Paraprofessional

ESD 123 is looking to hire a paraprofessional to work within our Candy Mountain Academy. This position facilitates student academic performance and intervenes when problems are identified, with the goal of providing support for students enrolled in the academy. Responsibilities include providing direct learning support, coordinating services from multiple agencies, offering ongoing feedback and encouragement, and assisting students in accomplishing the goals of their Student Learning Plans in partnership with ESD personnel, family members, and community service providers.

Responsibilities

• Act as a member of a student de-escalation team to maintain consistency in safety protocols throughout the program.
• Adhere to comprehensive and specific behavior plans and systems when working with students with significant behaviors to ensure safety and consistency.
• Assist students, individually or in small groups, with lesson assignments to practice and/or reinforce learning concepts and help students reach academic goals.
• Attend trainings and functions as assigned to acquire and/or convey information relative to job functions.
• Attend planning meetings with teachers and staff to maintain consistency throughout the program.
• Confer with teachers and/or parents to provide input into the evaluation of students' progress and/or implement/modify students' objectives.
• Correct and chart student work to assist the teacher with data collection.
• Duplicate and construct materials and order equipment to assist staff in the effective overall operation of the building.
• Implement, under the supervision of the assigned teacher, instructional programs and lesson plans to assist the teacher in improving student success.
• Lead groups of students through assessments electronically or on paper to support teachers in the instructional process.
• Monitor individual and/or groups of students in various settings (e.g., classroom, recess, field trips, lunchroom) to identify required assistance and ensure a safe and positive learning environment.
• Prepare materials and keep records related to a student's IEP to assist the teacher in maintaining IEP data.
• Provide computer-assisted learning to support the teacher in effective classroom instruction and delivery.
• Report observations and incidents relating to specific students (e.g., accidents, fights, inappropriate social behavior, violation of rules) to communicate information to appropriate personnel.
• Respond to emergency situations (e.g., injured students, fights) to resolve immediate safety concerns and/or direct to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Support classroom teachers in the preparation and implementation of curriculum and teaching methodologies.
• Work with individuals or small groups to implement accommodations and supports as defined by the student's IEP for academics, recreational activities, etc.
• Follow all applicable Board policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Have received a passing grade on the Education Training Services (ETS) ParaPro Assessment OR have completed a registered apprenticeship program OR have earned 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at an institution of higher education OR hold an Associate of Arts degree or higher.
• One or more years of experience working in an educational setting with students experiencing significant behavioral/social-emotional challenges.
• CPR/First Aid Certificate.
• Valid Driver's License & Evidence of Insurability.
• WSP/FBI background clearance required.

Skills and Abilities

Skills: Perform single tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills. Specific skills include applying assessment instruments; operating standard office equipment and pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and strong written and verbal English skills.

Knowledge: Perform basic math; understand written procedures, write routine documents, and speak clearly; understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions. Demonstrated aptitude for the work to be performed.

Abilities: Schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; consider factors when using equipment. Flexibility to work independently with others in varied circumstances; analyze data using complex processes; operate equipment using standardized methods. Work with diverse individuals and data; utilize job-related equipment. Problem-solving to identify issues and create action plans, including independent interpretation of guidelines and moderate equipment troubleshooting. Specific abilities include working independently, handling a stressful environment, responding to emergencies/first aid, teamwork, willingness to learn new skills, lifting 100 pounds occasionally with assistance, establishing positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues, following policies and procedures, and performing essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

Benefits

• Access to on-the-job training.
• Full benefits (SEBB medical, vision, and dental insurance; WA DRS SERS retirement plan; medical reimbursement account; life and long-term disability insurance).
• Access to the agency's wellness program.
• Paid sick leave (10 days per full school year).
• Paid personal leave (up to 2 days per full school year).
• Work a typical school calendar with winter, spring, and summer breaks off.

Pay

• Hourly Rate through Aug. 31: $23.08 (step 1/year 1).
• Hourly Rate (26/27 SY) starting Sep. 1: $23.68 (step 1/year 1) - $26.65 (step 5/year 5).
• Paid once a month on the last working day of the month.
• Average monthly gross paycheck based on 180 days and 8 hours per day: $2,738 (step 1/year 1) - $3,081 (step 5/year 5).
• Amount may vary slightly based on hiring date and months remaining in the work calendar (Sept 01-Aug 31).

Schedule

• Full-time, non-exempt position (190 days per year).

Traits

• Proactive self-starter with a strong sense of initiative.
• Flexible and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Confident yet humble, with a focus on team success over individual recognition.
• Hungry for more responsibilities, learning, and growth opportunities.
• Smart with common sense about people, good judgment, and intuition around group dynamics.

About Our Team and Agency

Helping students realize their dreams and aspirations is at the heart of everything we do at ESD 123. We embrace our employees as One Team, operating with loyalty and commitment through compassion, dedication, and collaboration. At ESD 123, we strive to offer the highest quality customer experience by committing to the beliefs and behaviors outlined in our Culture Playbook. We aim for this position to be one you are passionate about, where you can grow, be challenged, and have fun while doing things you are skilled at and enjoy.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; significant fine finger dexterity.
• Generally requires 5% sitting, 15% walking, and 80% standing.
• Performed in a clean atmosphere.
• May require lifting 100 pounds occasionally with assistance.
• Hazards: Those present in a normal office environment; no known significant hazards.