Special Program Para 1, Special Education Preschool 1:1 18865-2026

About the role

One-on-one paraeducator position supporting Special Education Preschool students in a 3-hour morning session, Tuesday through Friday, for 9 months per year. Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Non-Exempt.

Responsibilities

• Work as a team member to assist the teacher in implementing and evaluating goals and objectives on individual student IEPs
• Participate in team meetings to provide observational input or acquire information pertinent to the position
• Manage behavior and assist students during class activities in small groups or individually
• Assist with preparing materials for lessons and maintaining data collection records
• De-escalate students having an emotional/behavioral crisis and carry out behavior management plans
• Dispense medication to students following district policy
• Care for the personal hygiene needs of students with disabilities, including 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 safety
• Attend training meetings to broaden expertise in working with students with special needs
• Assist students on and off buses
• Perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as assigned by administrator

Requirements

• Documentation verifying a high school diploma or GED
• One of the following:
  • Official transcripts verifying an Associate’s degree (90 quarter, 60 semester) OR
  • 72 quarter or 48 semester credits from an accredited university, college, community college or business school OR
  • 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 which demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and skills in working effectively in a team environment
• 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 the weekends and successfully pass the district CPI, de-escalation/physical restraint training
• 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 sit on the floor to work with children
• Ability to lift, 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

Benefits

• Employees anticipated to work at least 630 hours may be eligible for health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits
• Retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) based on position FTE

Pay

• 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