Special Education Para Educator 4 - 2026-27 Ardmore Elementary

About the Role

The Para Educator IV position assists and supports students as identified within a specialized program or with specialized instruction, focusing on activities of daily living, adaptive/life skills, and providing physical, health, and safety needs.

Responsibilities

• Support activities of daily living, including toileting and feeding, and other adaptive/life skills.
• Provide for the physical, health, and safety needs of students.
• Offer social, emotional, behavioral, and educational support for students with significant disabilities.
• Deliver direct academic, functional, vocational, and specifically designed instruction.
• Serve as an advocate and support for students with disabilities in their least restrictive environment.
• Support students with significant emotional regulation challenges.
• Encourage and foster student independence in all settings.
• Collect functional behavior assessment data on individual students as appropriate.
• Implement components of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) as required.
• Ensure the safety of students and staff when dealing with escalated behavior.
• Collect other data as directed by the case manager/teacher.
• Provide coaching and support for staff as required.
• Assist students in reaching post-secondary goals, including community-based activities.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• 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).
• First Aid/CPR certification required.
• Completion of specified courses related to the General Paraeducator Certificate as identified by OSPI.

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.

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/activities of daily living, including tube-feeding and toileting.
• Proper lifting techniques.

Skills

• Effective oral and written communication.
• Ability to work with students in a warm and confident manner.
• Techniques related to activities of daily living and proper lifting.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Model and monitor appropriate student behavior.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect between students, parents, and teachers.
• Build positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and the public.
• Perform physical activities and meet physical requirements.
• Provide care for students who experience seizures.
• Provide proper physical restraint of students with severe behavior.
• Multicultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Adhere to all applicable Board policies, district, and legal requirements.
• 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.
• Subject to testing to determine ability to meet lifting requirements and fitness to perform essential duties.

Pay

$31.22/hour to $33.17/hour (starting hourly rate $31.22) based on the negotiated collective bargaining agreement.

Schedule

32 hours/week for a 195-day annual assignment (Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri: 7:45 AM to 2:45 PM; Wed: 7:45 AM to 1:30 PM).

Benefits

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

Verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States is required. The District does not currently provide visa sponsorship.