Education Support Professional SpEd LRC 1:1 - Fawcett

Tacoma Public Schools•Fawcett Elementary 126 E. 60th St., WA

2d•$30 - $31•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring an Education Support Professional for a 1:1 special education position assigned to a third-grade male student. The role assists a certificated teacher with instruction and personal care for students with a broad range of disabilities, including medical, orthopedic, developmental, physical, and behavioral needs. It provides academic interventions and may involve supporting activities of daily living. The position is 0.8125 FTE, works 6.5 hours per day, and is scheduled for 183 work days over 10 months. The expected start date is September 1, 2026. Salary is listed as $29.50 for applicants without a degree, $30.25 with an associate degree, and $30.50 with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The position has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools. The employee must complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. District-provided Fundamental Course of Study training consists of 28 hours, with the first two days to 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. CPR/First Aid certification is required, or the employee must be willing to complete training within the first 90 days. District restraint training and maintaining certification are required; cleansing intermittent catheterization training may also be required. The role includes providing individual or small-group instruction, supporting personal care and safety, supervising students in school settings and during activities, recording student progress and data, communicating with teachers and other staff, adapting materials, and using specialized adaptive equipment. Depending on student needs and training, duties may include feeding, toileting, medication administration, physical positioning, restraint, and other specialized care. The work may involve prolonged periods in a work area, lifting and moving students or materials, exposure to bodily fluids, infectious disease, noise, inclement weather, and potentially distressing or violent situations. Travel to other district sites may be required.

Requirements

Associate degree, 72 credit hours of post-secondary education, or passing the state test demonstrating knowledge; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be evaluated for comparability.
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 the district-provided 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.
May be required to complete cleansing intermittent catheterization training.
Fingerprints and successful Washington State Patrol and FBI background clearance, including sexual misconduct clearance.
Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, and/or physical disabilities, subject areas, basic learning styles, and effective instructional methods for students with disabilities.
Knowledge of safe and proper methods for lifting and positioning students.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, obtain and exchange information, and communicate and work effectively with students, staff, and the community.
Ability to defuse student conflict and de-escalate situations and appropriately restrain students as necessary.
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 feed, diaper, and provide toileting and other personal assistance to students, and to be sensitive to students who cannot communicate their needs.
Ability to work in inclement weather, organize and coordinate activities, and maintain reliable attendance.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, civil, and collegial relationships in a multicultural and socioeconomically diverse setting.

Nice To Haves

Basic sign language skills for designated positions.

Responsibilities

Provide individual or small-group instruction and support learning activities as directed by teachers or specialists.
Assist students with sensory or physical disabilities and promote a safe environment conducive to learning.
Support vocational training, job-hunting skills, job applications, 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.
Support students during physical emergencies and seizures; use adaptive equipment and perform sensory stimulation or adaptive physical education activities as assigned.
Administer and log medications when assigned and trained by the licensed school nurse or appropriate therapist.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in locker rooms and restrooms, and during bus loading or unloading; provide support while students travel around school premises.
Record student progress in data sheets and daily logs; prepare reports and collect data on IEP goals, behavioral plans, grooming plans, and academic progress.
Communicate and coordinate with classroom teachers, program administrators, other school staff, parents or guardians as assigned, and therapy staff or building administrators as appropriate.
Adjust the position of students with physical disabilities and implement occupational or physical therapy instructions from specialists.
Use and teach basic sign language as needed and monitor students to ensure their safety.
Prepare and serve student lunches and snacks and clean dishes, utensils, and eating areas 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, assist with standardized testing, and use specialized teaching techniques, computer software, and adaptive equipment.
Arrange classroom furniture and materials; accompany students on field trips, camp activities, off-site jobs, or general education classes as assigned.
Participate in department staff meetings and provide information regarding students.
Use, adapt, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized adaptive equipment and computer equipment or software as assigned.
Provide general classroom clerical assistance, duplicate materials, complete paperwork, and supervise students during brief teacher breaks as needed.
Attend reliably and regularly, follow district employee conduct rules, and perform other related duties or work in additional classrooms as assigned.
After required training, perform cleansing intermittent catheterizations or physical restraint of a student when required and permitted.