Education Support Professional Special Education LRC 1:1 - Meeker

Tacoma Public Schools•Meeker Middle - 4402 Nassau Ave. N.E., WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring an Education Support Professional to assist a certificated teacher with instructional and personal-care needs of students with a broad range of disabilities. This 1:1 position is assigned to a sixth-grade male and supports academic interventions, classroom learning, safety, and activities of daily living as needed. The role may involve working with students who are medically fragile or have orthopedic, developmental, physical, sensory, or behavioral needs. The employee provides individualized or small-group instruction as directed, supports student self-care and mobility, monitors students’ safety, records progress and data related to academic and IEP goals, and collaborates with teachers, specialists, administrators, families, and other school staff. Duties may include medication administration after appropriate training, toileting and feeding assistance, use of adaptive equipment, behavioral support or restraint after required training, and supervision in classrooms, at lunch or recess, on buses, or during field trips and off-site activities. The position is 0.8125 FTE, 6.5 hours per day, with 183 work days over 10 months. The expected start date is as soon as possible. Employees must complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate requirements, including district-provided Fundamental Course of Study training and professional development. Tacoma Public Schools offers the full range of benefits available through the district. Salary levels listed are $29.50 for no degree, $30.25 with an associate degree, and $30.50 with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

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.
Completion and attainment of the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate, including 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 understand assigned developmental, behavioral, and/or physical disabilities and effective instructional methods for students with disabilities.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, communicate effectively, exchange information, and work collegially with students, staff, and community members.
Ability to de-escalate student conflict and appropriately restrain students when necessary.
Ability to provide feeding, diapering, toileting, and other personal assistance to students and 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.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds individually and team-lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work in inclement weather and maintain regular, reliable attendance.
Ability to establish effective working relationships in a multicultural and diverse socioeconomic setting.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of basic sign language skills for designated positions.
Cleansing intermittent catheterization training may be required for assigned duties.

Responsibilities

Provide individual or small-group instruction and learning activities as directed by the teacher or specialists.
Assist students with disabilities in academic interventions, vocational activities, and participation in learning activities.
Support students with self-care and activities of daily living, potentially including feeding, dressing, toileting, diapering, hygiene, and other personal care.
Monitor and protect students’ safety during seizures, physical emergencies, behavioral incidents, and other activities.
Use adaptive equipment and assist with student positioning, mobility, sensory activities, and adaptive physical education as assigned.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in classrooms, restrooms, locker rooms, bus loading and unloading, and other school activities.
Record student progress and collect data related to academic progress, IEP goals, behavioral plans, and grooming plans; prepare reports and maintain student records.
Communicate and coordinate with classroom teachers, specialists, administrators, other school staff, and parents or guardians as assigned.
Adapt instructional materials and activities, assist with testing, and use specialized teaching techniques, software, and adaptive equipment as assigned.
Model appropriate behavior, support conflict resolution and classroom management, and administer discipline according to district guidelines.
Prepare and serve snacks or lunches and clean related dishes, utensils, and eating areas as needed.
Participate in staff meetings and provide information regarding students.
Maintain, troubleshoot, and coordinate use of specialized equipment and software when assigned.
Provide classroom clerical assistance, supervise students during brief teacher breaks, and perform other related duties as assigned.
Maintain regular, reliable attendance and follow district employee conduct policies.
Complete required paraeducator training and maintain required certifications, including restraint training and CPR/First Aid training or willingness to be trained.