Special Program Para 1, GATE 18843-2026

About the role

Special Program Paraeducator 1 position working 6.5 hours per day, 9 months per year under Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Non-Exempt.

Qualifications

• Documentation verifying a high school diploma or GED
• One of the following:
  • Official transcripts verifying an Associate’s degree (90 quarter, 60 semester credits)
  • 72 quarter or 48 semester credits from an accredited university, college, community college or business school
  • ETS ParaPro Assessment result of 461 or higher
• One year of related experience working with children in an educational setting preferred
• Successful experience as part of an educational team preferred
• Experience demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Possess excellent problem solving, analytical, and conflict resolution skills and ability to think quickly
• Experience working with children with moderate to severe disabilities preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to effectively communicate with and appreciate individuals from diverse, socio-economic backgrounds
• Ability to act upon evasive and aggressive behavior of students
• Ability to attend mandatory training on weekends and successfully pass the district CPI, de-escalation/physical restraint training
• Ability to complete de-escalation/physical restraint training required by the District as soon as possible after hiring
• Ability to learn and use a computer monitor, keyboard, and appropriate adaptive technologies
• Ability to successfully implement educational programs and manage student behavior with direction from the teacher
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to be flexible with assigned tasks and schedules
• Ability to develop relationships and supportive roles with children who possess mental or physical disabilities

Other Requirements

• Ability to lift and move physically restrain a child of the size required by the job
• Ability to independently and safely escort students around the school building, grounds, and in the community
• Ability to observe the behavior of students, both visually and by listening, and to communicate those observations with other appropriate service providers
• Regular attendance to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position to achieve program requirements

Essential Functions

• Treat co-workers, supervisors, students, parents and others with dignity and respect at all times
• Serve as a positive role model for students, and practice the behaviors that are expected of students
• Work in a flexible and cooperative manner
• Work as a team member to assist the teacher in implementing and evaluating goals and objectives on individual student IEPs
• Participate in team meetings as appropriate for the purpose of providing observational input or acquiring information pertinent to the position
• Manage behavior and assist students during class activities in small groups or individually
• Provide instructional assistance as directed by appropriate certificated staff in academic subjects, basic life skills, social skills, community access, personal hygiene (including toileting), swimming, communication, physical and/or occupational therapy exercises, and job skills training
• Assist the teacher with preparing materials for lessons and maintaining data collection records as assigned
• De-escalate students having an emotional/behavioral crisis
• Carry out behavior management plans for individual students as appropriate
• Dispense medication to students following district policy
• Care for the personal hygiene needs of students with disabilities, including but not limited to feeding, diapering, toileting, bathing, lifting, tube feeding, suctioning and other health-related issues with appropriate training
• Produce and assemble teaching materials as directed by appropriate certificated staff
• Assist with data entry, record keeping, and filing
• Grade/correct papers and homework utilizing a rubric or key
• Observe assigned students as they enter/leave school grounds, on the playground, in the cafeteria and in the community and intervene as appropriate to ensure the safety of students
• Attend training meetings to broaden expertise in working with students with special needs
• Assignment may include assisting student(s) on and off buses
• Perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as assigned by administrator in alignment with their job classification

Benefits/Compensation

• New employees start at the minimum hourly rate in the salary range; employees with verified prior years of service in a similar occupational status from other Washington School Districts or Educational Service Districts may receive experience credit toward salary placement
• Paid holidays and paid time off, including sick, vacation, personal, and bereavement leave, as detailed in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (VAESP CBA)
• Employees anticipated to work at least 630 hours may be eligible for health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits
• Eligibility for retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) based on position FTE