Education Support Professional Special Education 1:1 ACCESS - Baker Middle School

Tacoma Public Schools•Baker Middle 8001 S. J St., WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring an Education Support Professional to provide one-to-one support to an eighth-grade male student in the ACCESS program at Baker Middle School. The position assists a certificated teacher with instructional and personal-care needs for students with a broad range of disabilities, provides academic interventions, and may support activities of daily living. The position is 0.8125 FTE, with 6.5 work hours plus a 30-minute duty-free lunch period, for a total of seven hours on campus. The role is a 10-month position with 183 work days. The expected start date is November 2026. The employee may provide individual or small-group instruction, support learning activities, monitor student safety, assist with self-care and personal needs, supervise students, record progress and data related to IEP goals, and communicate with teachers, administrators, therapists, and families as assigned. Duties may include feeding, dressing, toileting, medication assistance when trained and assigned, supporting students during emergencies, using adaptive equipment, implementing therapy activities as directed, and accompanying students on field trips or to off-site jobs. Other duties may include classroom clerical support and working in other classrooms as assigned. The position requires completion of the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. The district provides 28 hours of Fundamental Course of Study training; the initial two days must be completed within four months of hire and the next two days within six months of hire or by September 1 of the next school year. The general certificate is earned after completing ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development. CPR/First Aid certification is required or must be obtained through training within the first 90 days. District restraint training and certification are required; catheterization training may also be required. Salary is based on documented experience as an Education Support Professional/Para Professional in Washington State public school districts. Listed salary levels are $29.50 with 72 college-level credits or a passed Para Pro Test, $30.25 with an associate degree, and $30.50 with a bachelor's degree or higher. The job offers the full range of benefits provided by Tacoma Public Schools.

Requirements

Associate degree, 72 credit hours of post-secondary education, or passing the state test demonstrating the required knowledge.
Demonstrated ability to assist in instructing students.
One year of experience working with individuals with special needs who may have severe disabilities, or an equivalent combination of experience and training that meets federal and state requirements.
Complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate and required district Fundamental Course of Study and professional development training.
CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to complete training within the first 90 days of employment.
Attend required district restraint training and maintain certification.
Successfully pass fingerprinting and Washington State Patrol and FBI background and sexual misconduct clearances.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and obtain, clarify, and exchange information.
Ability to communicate and work effectively and collegially with staff, community members, and students, including students with special needs.
Ability to defuse student conflict and de-escalate situations, and appropriately restrain students when necessary.
Ability to organize and coordinate activities and establish effective working relationships in a multicultural, diverse socioeconomic setting.
Ability to provide feeding, diapering, toileting, and other personal assistance, and to respond sensitively to students who cannot communicate their needs.
Ability to walk, sit, squat, crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, reach, and lift to attend to students' physical needs; lift up to 25 pounds individually and team-lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work in inclement weather and demonstrate reliable attendance.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, or physical disabilities.
Knowledge of assigned subject areas, basic learning styles, and effective instructional methods for students with disabilities.
Knowledge of safe methods for lifting and positioning students.
Basic sign language skills for designated positions.

Responsibilities

Provide instruction individually or in small groups and support teacher- or specialist-assigned learning activities.
Assist students with disabilities, including sensory or physical needs, and promote a safe instructional environment.
Support vocational training, job-hunting skills, and participation in learning activities as assigned.
Assist with self-care and activities of daily living, which may include feeding, dressing, toileting, diapering, and other personal care.
Monitor students during physical emergencies and seizures; use adaptive equipment and carry out assigned sensory stimulation or adaptive physical education activities.
Administer and log medications when assigned and appropriately trained.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in restrooms or locker rooms, and while boarding or exiting buses; provide student support during transportation and around school premises.
Record student progress, maintain student records, collect data on academic progress and IEP, behavioral, or grooming goals, and prepare reports for teachers.
Communicate and coordinate with classroom teachers, program administrators, other school staff, therapists, and parents or guardians as assigned.
Reposition students with physical disabilities as needed and implement occupational or physical therapy activities as instructed by specialists.
Use basic sign language with students when needed and continuously monitor student safety.
Prepare and serve student lunches or snacks and clean dishes, utensils, and eating areas as needed.
Model appropriate behavior, correct inappropriate behavior, support conflict resolution, administer discipline under district guidelines, and assist with classroom management.
Help adapt instructional materials and activities; assist with standardized testing as assigned; use specialized teaching techniques, software, and adaptive equipment.
Arrange classroom materials and furniture, accompany students on field trips or camp activities, supervise off-site work, and support students in general education classes as assigned.
Participate in department staff meetings and provide information regarding students.
Use, adapt, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized adaptive or computer equipment and software; assist with scheduling student equipment use.
Maintain regular, reliable attendance and follow district conduct policies regarding tardiness and unauthorized absences.
Raise concerns with appropriate teaching staff, therapy staff, or building administrators.
Perform additional duties as assigned, potentially including trained catheterizations or physical restraint, classroom clerical tasks, supervising students during brief teacher breaks, and temporary work in more than one classroom.