Education Support Professional Special Education 1:1 LRC - 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 1:1 support to an 8th-grade male student in the LRC program at Baker Middle School. The position assists a certificated teacher with instructional and personal-care needs of students with a broad range of disabilities and provides academic interventions, with personal-care assistance as needed. The role is 0.8125 FTE, with 6.5 work hours plus a 30-minute duty-free lunch period, for a total of 7 hours on campus. It is a 10-month position with 183 work days. The expected start date is November 2026. The employee must complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. District-provided Fundamental Course of Study training totals 28 hours: the first two days must be completed within four months of hire and the second 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 training. Salary is at level PA4: $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. Salary is based on documented experience as an Education Support Professional/Para Professional in Washington State public school districts. The position includes the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools and is represented by the Education Support Professional union.

Requirements

Associate degree, 72 post-secondary credit hours, or passing the state test demonstrating relevant knowledge; alternatively, an equivalent combination of education and experience evaluated by Human Resources.
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 meeting federal and state requirements.
Complete and attain the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate and required district Fundamental Course of Study and professional development training.
CPR/First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain training within the first 90 days of employment.
Attend District restraint training and maintain certification.
Complete cleansing intermittent catheterization training if required for the assignment.
Pass fingerprinting and Washington State Patrol, FBI, and sexual misconduct background clearances.
Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, and/or physical disabilities; assigned subject areas; basic learning styles; effective instructional methods for students with disabilities; and safe lifting and positioning methods.
Knowledge of basic sign language for designated positions.
Ability to maintain confidentiality; defuse student conflict and de-escalate situations; obtain, clarify, and exchange information; and communicate and work collegially with staff, students, and the community.
Ability to organize and coordinate activities and provide feeding, diapering, toileting, and other personal assistance, including responding sensitively to students who cannot communicate their needs.
Ability to appropriately restrain students when necessary.
Ability to establish and maintain effective civil and collegial working relationships in a multicultural, diverse socioeconomic setting.
Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.
Ability to walk, sit, squat, crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, reach, and lift to attend to students’ physical needs; work in inclement weather; lift up to 25 pounds individually and team-lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

Provide instruction individually or in small groups in assigned learning or center activities under teacher direction; implement assigned lessons or activities and support students with sensory or physical disabilities.
Promote and monitor a safe instructional environment; provide vocational training, job-hunting and application assistance, and encouragement to participate in learning activities as assigned.
Assist with students’ self-care and activities of daily living, including feeding, dressing, toileting, hygiene, and other personal-care procedures as assigned and trained.
Support students during seizures and other physical emergencies; calm or restrain students when necessary and authorized; conduct assigned sensory-stimulation activities and use adaptive equipment.
Administer and log medications when assigned and trained by the licensed school nurse or appropriate therapist.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in locker rooms, showers, and restrooms; assist with bus loading and unloading, communicate support needs to bus drivers, and transport students around school premises as needed.
Record student progress in data sheets and daily logs, prepare reports, collect data on IEP goals and behavioral or grooming plans, maintain student records, and communicate with teachers, administrators, other school staff, and parents or guardians as assigned.
Reposition students with physical disabilities as needed; implement occupational and physical therapy activities as instructed; use and teach basic sign language when needed; and continuously monitor student safety.
Prepare and serve student lunches and snacks and clean dishes, utensils, and eating areas afterward as needed.
Model appropriate behavior, address inappropriate behavior, teach conflict resolution as directed, administer discipline under District guidelines, and assist with classroom management.
Adapt materials and activities as directed; assist with standardized testing; use specialized teaching techniques, computer software, and adaptive equipment; arrange classroom materials; and accompany or supervise students on field trips, camp activities, off-site jobs, or general education classes as assigned.
Participate in department staff meetings and share information regarding students.
Use, adapt, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized adaptive equipment and student computer equipment or software; assist with scheduling student use of equipment.
Address concerns with appropriate teaching staff, therapy staff, or building administrators.
Provide general classroom clerical assistance, duplicate materials, complete paperwork, and supervise students during brief teacher breaks as assigned.
Maintain reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance and follow District conduct policies regarding tardiness and unauthorized absences.
Perform other related duties temporarily or as assigned, including work in more than one classroom; may perform catheterization or physical restraint after required training.