Education Support Professional PS Playgroup 1:1 - NE Tacoma ES

Tacoma Public Schools•NE Tacoma Elementary - 5412-29th St. N.E., WA

20h•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring an Education Support Professional to provide one-to-one playgroup support at NE Tacoma Elementary School. The position is 0.100 FTE, with work scheduled Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:25 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The role is part of the Education Support Professional union and works 183 days over 10 months. Expected start date is as soon as possible. Salary depends on documented experience as an Education Support Professional or paraprofessional in Washington State public school districts and education level: $28.75–$33.30 for 72 college-level credits or a passing Para Pro Test; $29.50–$34.05 for an associate degree; and $29.75–$34.30 for a bachelor’s degree or higher. Benefits are not provided. The position provides varied support to students, families, and District staff to encourage student development and facilitate home-school cooperation. Duties may take place in classrooms, outdoors, offices, homes, and other assigned settings. The employee supports students’ academic, behavioral, language, literacy, math, creative, physical, social, and emotional development; helps maintain a safe and engaging learning environment; and uses activities and materials suited to individual and group needs. The role also supports family onboarding and partnerships, communicates information about school services and procedures, and may connect families with community resources. The employee may monitor students during classroom activities, meals, transitions, playground time, crosswalks, and bus boarding; assist with classroom and home routines; prepare or support meals; track developmental progress and learning outcomes; enter assessment data; and make home visits using written plans under administrator direction. The position may involve potty training and diapering. The employee must complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate training, including 28 hours of district-provided Fundamental Course of Study training and a total of ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development to earn the general certificate. Work may require flexible hours, travel within the community to student homes, attendance at meetings beyond the workday, and outdoor work in inclement weather. Conditions may include exposure to infectious disease, a high activity level, and occasional difficult or sensitive situations. Physical duties include lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds and the ability to bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, run, sit, stand, and remain mobile as needed to support the curriculum and student safety.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
Meet one of the listed paraeducator qualification pathways: qualifying score on the Education Testing Service paraeducator assessment; an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university; 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at the 100 level or higher from an accredited college or university; or completion of a registered paraeducator apprenticeship.
Have one year of related work experience and/or experience working with students and parents in a community or school setting, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
Complete and attain the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. Complete 28 hours of district-provided Fundamental Course of Study training on the stated schedule; earning the general certificate requires ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development training.
Obtain current First Aid and CPR certifications and a Food Handler’s permit within the first three months of employment.
Complete an annual physical exam and TB test within 60 days of employment and periodically thereafter for some early learning programs.
Hold a valid Washington State driver’s license and have access to personal transportation.
Successfully complete fingerprinting and WSP and FBI background and sexual misconduct clearances; a Portable Background (DCYF) clearance may also be required.
Demonstrate knowledge of childhood education, child development, child assessment and observation, applicable program philosophy, and community resources related to family needs.
Demonstrate skills in problem solving, crisis handling, flexibility, data processes, equipment operation, information exchange, basic word processing, and child and group management.
Be able to relate positively with families and children; plan preschool curriculum and activities for individual and group needs; support students with special needs and adapt curriculum; maintain confidentiality and records; organize parent education; prioritize and coordinate work; and collaborate effectively with diverse families and coworkers.
Meet the physical requirements of lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds and being able to lift and carry students, sit, stoop, bend, run, and perform other mobility activities needed to support the curriculum and preserve student safety.

Responsibilities

Provide academic, behavioral, and other student support as directed, and help establish and maintain a safe, healthy, creative learning environment.
Select and use activities and materials that support students’ language, literacy, math, creativity, physical health, and social and emotional development.
Support family and child onboarding, communicate information about school or District activities and procedures, and provide information about available services.
Select individualized and group activities based on administrator-provided information, assessments, observations, interviews, and screenings; track developmental progress and learning outcomes when assigned.
Monitor student behavior and supervise students during classroom activities, transitions, lunch, playground time, building entry and exit, and bus boarding, as assigned.
Assist with student meals and classroom and home routines; encourage student participation in meals and healthy habits, and track menu changes when assigned.
Make home visits and use written plans under administrator direction to provide home learning activities and support parent involvement and education.
Help families access community and agency resources and collaborate with administrators to establish family partnership goals and build parent problem-solving skills.
Attend meetings, classes, workshops, and seminars as needed or assigned to maintain current knowledge of childhood education, developmentally appropriate practices, and program requirements.
Enter data into the appropriate child assessment system when assigned and perform related duties, including possible potty training and diapering.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.