Special Education Para Educator 3 - 2026-27 Big Picture School

About the Role

The Para Educator III position assists and supports students with individual learning needs to maximize student success, with a focus on students with significant disabilities. The role involves implementing Individual Education Programs (IEPs), providing academic and behavioral support, and fostering student independence.

Responsibilities

• Provides for the physical, health, and safety needs of students.
• Offers social, emotional, behavioral, and educational support for students with significant disabilities.
• Implements components of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) as required.
• Provides direct academic, functional, vocational, and specifically designed instruction.
• Serves as an advocate and support for students with disabilities in their least restrictive environment.
• Supports students with significant emotional regulation challenges.
• Ensures the safety of students and staff when dealing with escalated behavior.
• Encourages and fosters student independence in all settings.
• Collects data as directed by the case manager/teacher.
• Responds to student medical needs within the scope of the position.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• At least one of the following:
  • ETS Paraeducator Assessment, or
  • Associate of Arts degree (original transcripts), or
  • 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at an institution of higher education (original transcripts), or
  • Completion of a registered apprenticeship program (certificate).
• Foreign degrees accepted if evaluated by a NACES member company.
• Washington State Driver’s License (Type II may be required for some assignments).
• First Aid/CPR certification required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with students in self-contained learning settings.
• Experience working individually with students with diverse aptitudes and levels of achievement.
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) training.
• Right Response Training.
• Experience working with behaviorally disabled students.

Skills

• Understands child development and behavior.
• Knowledgeable of reading, writing, and arithmetic.
• Understands safety procedures for students and staff.
• Knowledge of behavior modification programs, including restraint techniques.
• Utilizes adaptive technology and equipment to meet student needs.
• Demonstrates non-violent crisis intervention techniques, including de-escalation strategies.
• Utilizes basic therapy techniques and procedures.
• Knowledgeable of functional life skills and activities of daily living.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Works with students in a warm and confident manner.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to model and monitor appropriate student behavior.
• Maintains confidentiality and respect between students, parents, and teachers.
• Maintains positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and the public.
• Multicultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to perform all duties in accordance with Board policies and legal requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
• Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Ability to perform all physical activities, including feeding and toileting by various means.
• Ability to provide appropriate care for students who experience seizures.
• Ability to provide proper physical restraint of students with severe behavior that poses a danger to themselves or others.
• May be subjected to moving mechanical parts, odors, chemicals, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.
• Subject to testing to determine ability to meet physical requirements and fitness for essential duties.

Conditions of Employment

• Location of the position may change during the school year.
• Mandatory continuing professional education per state requirements.
• Verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States is required.
• All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of background checks, including fingerprinting and criminal history checks, as well as approval by the Bellevue School Board.

Pay

AISP pay range: P3 $28.76/hour to $30.71/hour (starting hourly rate $28.76), based on the negotiated collective bargaining agreement.

Schedule

34 hours/week, 195-day annual assignment (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM; Wed: 8:10 AM to 1:40 PM).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance eligibility based on 630 hours worked within a school year.
• Retirement provided through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.