Special Education Para Educator 4 - 2026-27 Enatai Elementary

About the role

This position assists and supports students in a specialized program or with specialized instruction, with a primary focus on supporting activities of daily living, adaptive/life skills, and the physical, health, and safety needs of students with significant disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provides social, emotional, behavioral, and educational support for students with significant disabilities.
• Provides 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 and encourages student independence.
• Collects functional behavior assessment data and implements components of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) as required.
• Ensures the safety of students and staff when dealing with escalated behavior.
• Provides coaching and support for staff as required.
• Assists students in reaching post-secondary goals as assigned (e.g., Aquatic Center, Community Center).
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Reports directly to and is supervised by the building administrator; receives direction from assigned certificated staff.

Education & Experience

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• At least one of the following:
  • ETS Paraeducator Assessment
  • Associate of Arts degree (original transcripts)
  • 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at an institution of higher education (original transcripts)
  • Completion of a registered apprenticeship program (certificate); foreign degrees accepted if evaluated by a NACES member company

Preferred Experience

• 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

• First Aid/CPR certification required.
• Required to complete specified courses related to the General Paraeducator Certificate as identified by OSPI.

Knowledge

• Understands the basics of child development and behavior.
• Knowledgeable of reading, writing, and arithmetic.
• Understands safety procedures for students and staff.
• Understands 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/activities of daily living, including tube-feeding and toileting.
• Demonstrates proper lifting techniques.

Skills

• Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills.
• Works with students in a warm and confident manner.
• Demonstrates appropriate techniques related to activities of daily living and proper lifting techniques.
• Works effectively as a member of a team.
• Possesses the ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Demonstrates the 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.
• Performs all physical activities and meets all physical requirements indicated.
• Provides appropriate care for students who experience seizures.
• Provides proper physical restraint of students with severe behavior that poses a danger to themselves or others.
• Demonstrates multicultural sensitivity and the ability to work with diverse populations.
• Performs all duties in accordance with applicable Board policies, district, and legal requirements.
• Meets and maintains 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 subject to moving mechanical parts, odors, chemicals, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.
• May be subject to determination of fitness to perform the essential duties of the position.