Education Support Professional Special Education 1:1 LRC - Manitou Park

Tacoma Public Schools•Manitou Park Elementary - 4330 S. 66th St., WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring an Education Support Professional to provide one-on-one assistance to a Grade 2 male student with a disability during school activities and day-to-day needs. The employee assists a certificated teacher with instructional and non-instructional activities for the assigned student and, as time permits, other classroom students. The role supports students with a broad range of disabilities, including medical, orthopedic, developmental, physical, and behavioral needs, and may involve academic interventions and activities of daily living. The position is 0.8125 FTE, with 6.5 working hours per day and 7 hours total on campus, including a 30-minute duty-free lunch. It is a 10-month position with 183 work days. The expected start date is November 2026. Salary is listed as $29.50 for no degree, $30.25 for an associate degree, and $30.50 for a bachelor’s degree or higher. The job offers the full range of benefits provided by Tacoma Public Schools. The employee must complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. District-provided Fundamental Course of Study training comprises 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 by completing ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development training.

Requirements

Associate degree, 72 credit hours of post-secondary education, or a passing state test demonstrating knowledge; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be evaluated.
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 the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate and required 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 District restraint training and maintain certification.
Successful fingerprinting and WSP and FBI background and sexual misconduct clearances.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate and work effectively with students, staff, and the community in a diverse, multicultural setting.
Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, and/or physical disabilities; assigned subject areas; basic learning styles; effective instructional methods; and safe lifting and positioning methods.
Ability to de-escalate student conflict, obtain and exchange information, organize and coordinate activities, and provide personal assistance such as feeding, diapering, and toileting.
Ability to meet students’ physical needs, including walking, sitting, squatting, crawling, kneeling, bending, stooping, reaching, and lifting.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds individually and team-lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work in inclement weather and demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.

Nice To Haves

Basic sign language skills for designated positions.

Responsibilities

Provide individual or small-group instruction and implement teacher- or specialist-assigned lessons and activities.
Assist students with sensory or physical handicaps, vocational training, job-hunting skills, and participation in learning activities.
Support students’ self-care and activities of daily living, which may include feeding, dressing, toileting, diapering, personal hygiene, and other trained care tasks.
Help maintain student safety, including responding to seizures or other physical emergencies, using adaptive equipment, and supporting students who may become self-abusive or violent.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in restrooms or locker rooms, and during bus loading or unloading; provide support during transportation and throughout school premises.
Record student progress and data related to IEP goals, behavioral plans, grooming plans, and academic progress; maintain student records and prepare reports for teachers.
Communicate and coordinate with classroom teachers, program administrators, other school staff, parents or guardians as assigned, and therapy staff as appropriate.
Reposition students with physical disabilities as needed and implement occupational or physical therapy activities as instructed by specialists.
Prepare and serve student lunches and snacks, and clean dishes, utensils, and eating areas as needed.
Model appropriate behavior, address inappropriate behavior, support conflict resolution, and assist with classroom management and discipline under District guidelines.
Help adapt classroom materials and activities, administer standardized tests as assigned, arrange classroom spaces, and use specialized teaching techniques, software, and adaptive equipment.
Accompany and supervise students on field trips, camp activities, off-site jobs, and in general education classes as assigned.
Participate in department staff meetings and provide information about students.
Use, adapt, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized equipment or computer resources for students with disabilities as assigned.
Attend required District restraint training and maintain certification; perform restraint or other specialized care only as permitted and after required training.
Provide classroom clerical assistance, supervise students during brief teacher breaks, and perform other related duties or assignments as needed.
Demonstrate reliable attendance and follow District employee conduct rules regarding tardiness and unauthorized absences.