Special Education Para Educator 4 - 2026-27 Transitions Program

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.
• 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).
• 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, including feeding and toileting by various means.
• Provide appropriate care for students who experience seizures.
• Perform 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 frequently, and/or 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 of the position may change during the school year. Mandatory continuing professional education per state requirements.

Pay

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

Schedule

34 hours/week for a 195-day annual assignment (Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri: 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM; Wed: 7:30 AM to 2:00 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.