Special Education Para Educator 3 - 2026-27 Enatai Elementary

About the Role

This position assists and supports students identified with individual learning needs to maximize student success. The Bellevue School District is committed to a diverse workforce that models cultural competency as an international community.

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.
• Delivers 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.

Reports directly to a building administrator and receives direction from assigned certificated staff.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent, plus 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.

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.

Licensing Requirements

• Washington State Driver’s License (Type II may be required for some assignments).
• First Aid/CPR certification required.

Knowledge

• Basics of child development and behavior.
• Reading, writing, and arithmetic.
• Safety procedures for students and staff.
• Behavior modification programs, including restraint techniques.
• Adaptive technology and equipment to meet student needs.
• Non-violent crisis intervention techniques, including de-escalation strategies.
• Basic therapy techniques and procedures.
• Functional life skills and activities of daily living.

Skills

• Effective oral and written communication.
• Ability to work 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.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and the public.
• Ability to perform physical activities such as feeding, toileting, and providing 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.
• Multicultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to perform all duties in accordance with Board policies, district, and legal requirements.
• Ability to meet punctuality and attendance expectations.

Physical Requirements

• 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.
• May be subjected to moving mechanical parts, odors, chemicals, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.
• May be subject to testing to determine ability to meet lifting requirements and fitness to perform essential duties.

Employee may be required to perform activities of daily living, including feeding and toileting by various means.

Conditions of Employment

• Location of the position may change during the school year.
• Mandatory continuing professional education per state requirements.

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

32 hours/week, 195-day annual assignment.

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 7:30 AM to 2:45 PM.
• Wednesday: 7:30 AM to 12:30 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.