Special Program Para 2, ICSP 1:1 18607-2026

Qualifications

• Documentation verifying a high school diploma or GED
• One of the following:
  • Official transcripts verifying an Associate’s degree (90 quarter, 60 semester)
  • 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 which demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and skills in working effectively in a team environment, providing support to achieve the desired goal(s) for the classroom and/or program area
• Possess excellent problem solving, analytical, and conflict resolution skills and ability to think quickly
• Experience working with children with moderated to severe disabilities preferred

Requirements

• Ability to effectively communicate with and appreciate individuals from diverse, socio-economic backgrounds
• Act upon evasive and aggressive behavior of students
• Attend mandatory training on the weekends and successfully pass the district CPI, de-escalation/physical restraint training
• Learn and use a computer monitor, keyboard, and appropriate adaptive technologies
• Successfully implement educational programs and manage student behavior with direction from the classroom and Supported Communication teacher(s)
• Maintain confidentiality
• Be flexible with assigned tasks and schedules
• Develop relationships and supportive roles with children who possess mental or physical disabilities
• Use non-verbal strategies to communicate with, re-direct, and de-escalate student behavior
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to lift, move, physically restrain a child of the size required by the job
• Independently and safely escort students around the school building and grounds
• Observe the behavior of students, both visually and by listening and to communicate those observations with other appropriate service providers
• Monitor, collect data, as directed by the teacher
• Work in concert with Special Ed teacher to ensure students receive academic support, sensory integration, occupational and speech/ language support throughout the day
• Provide main stream support when appropriate, and have a desire to commit to these students and this program
• Exhibit willingness to learn about the disability of autism and put the information into practice
• Absorb and apply knowledge about autism and its impact on students
• Absorb and apply knowledge about sensory integration and its impact on students
• Absorb and apply knowledge about occupational therapy and its impact on students
• Absorb and apply knowledge about speech and language therapy and its impact on students
• Absorb and apply knowledge about personal hygiene and its impact on students
• Absorb and apply knowledge about community access and its impact on students
• Absorb and apply knowledge about job skills training and its impact on students
• Assist students with self regulation during class activities in small groups or individually
• Provide instructional assistance as directed by appropriate certificated staff
• Subject areas may include academic subjects, basic life skills, social skills, community access, personal hygiene, swimming, communication, physical and /or occupational therapy exercises and job skills training
• Carry out behavior management plans for individual students as appropriate
• Produce and assemble teaching materials as directed by appropriate certificated staff
• Absorb and apply knowledge about behavior management plans and their implementation
• Absorb and apply knowledge about teaching materials production and assembly
• Absorb and apply knowledge about data collection and its importance in the educational process
• Grade/correct papers and homework utilizing a rubric or key
• Observe assigned students as they enter/leave school grounds, 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
• Perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as assigned by administrator in alignment with their job classification

Benefits

• Salary range: New employees will start at the minimum hourly rate in the salary range. However, employees who have verified prior years of service in a similar occupational status from other Washington School Districts or Education School Districts, may receive experience credit towards salary placement.
• Benefits: Employees who are anticipated to work at least 630 hours may be eligible for health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits.
• Retirement: Employees may be eligible for retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Eligibility is based on FTE.
• Time Off: Vancouver Public Schools offers paid holidays and paid time off, including but not limited to, sick, vacation, personal, and bereavement leave. Additional negotiated leave options can be found in the associated Comprehensive Professional Agreement (CPA) for this position