SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAEDUCATOR - BEST

About the role

BEST = Behavioral, Emotional, Social Teaching - provides services to students with behavioral challenges (mild to severe) within a self-contained and general education setting. Instruction focuses on behavior and academic areas.

Responsibilities

• Ride the bus to provide services to students.
• May work primarily with one student.

Requirements

• Be at least eighteen years of age.
• Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Meet one of the following conditions:
• Hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Earn 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at the 100 level or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Score 455 or higher on the ParaPro Assessment (ETS).
• Score 220 or higher on the Pearson Paraprofessional assessment (not administered by PSD).
• Score 65% or higher on The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program (not administered by PSD).
• Complete an apprenticeship as a paraeducator in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.

Qualifications

• Upload documentation verifying qualification requirements.
• Provide a copy of an official college transcript or a passing score in one of the following assessments: Education Testing Service ParaPro Assessment, Pearson Paraprofessional Assessment, Master Teacher Inc. Paraprofessional Online Training Program.
• If submitting an assessment score, proof of a high school diploma or its equivalent must also be provided.

Conditions of Employment

• Complete and attain the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate.
• Complete 28 hours of training on the Fundamental Course of Study provided by the district.

Benefits and Wages

Refer to the PSD Education Support Prof Employees (PESPA)-WEA agreements, salary schedules, calendars, and benefits here.

To Expedite Employment Processing

• Provide a minimum of 3 professional references from current and former supervisors, including their email addresses.
• Ensure these references respond promptly.

Additional Information

• Your application remains active for two years for selected positions.
• Hiring teams will review all completed applications.
• If selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly by phone or email.
• Update your application regularly to reflect any changes, such as meeting paraeducator requirements, new employment history or references.
• For questions, please review How do I become a Paraeducator? or contact the Human Resources Department at personnel@puyallupsd.org.