Special Education Para Educator 3 - 2026-27 Stevenson Elementary

About the Role

The Para Educator III position assists and supports students with individual learning needs to maximize student success, with a focus on those with significant disabilities.

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 specially 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 or 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.

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.
• Works effectively as a team member.
• Follows oral and written directions.
• Models and monitors appropriate student behavior.
• Maintains confidentiality and respect between students, parents, and teachers.
• Builds positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and the public.
• Performs physical activities such as feeding, toileting, and physical restraint when necessary.
• Provides care for students who experience seizures.
• Demonstrates multicultural sensitivity and collaborates effectively with diverse populations.
• Complies with all applicable Board policies, district, and legal requirements.
• Meets 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, up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 20 pounds constantly.
• 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 lifting requirements and fitness to perform essential duties.

Conditions of Employment

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

Pay

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

Schedule

• 32 hours per week, 195-day annual assignment.
• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:30 AM – 2:45 PM.
• Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 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.