Education Support Professional SUCCESS 1:1 - Arlington

Tacoma Public Schools•Arlington Elementary 7202 South Pine St, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring an Education Support Professional for a 1:1 assignment supporting a first-grade male student in a self-contained classroom. The position assists a certificated teacher with instruction and personal care for students with a broad range of disabilities, including medical, physical, developmental, and behavioral needs. It provides academic interventions and may include support with activities of daily living. The role is listed at 0.8125 FTE, 6.5 hours per day, for 183 work days over 10 months, with an expected start as soon as possible. Salary is listed as $29.50 for candidates without a degree, $30.25 with an associate degree, and $30.50 with a bachelor's degree or higher. The job includes the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools. The position requires completion of 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 by completing ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development training. Duties include providing teacher-directed individual or small-group instruction; assisting with personal care, mobility, safety, and behavior; supervising students; recording progress and maintaining student records; adapting classroom materials and activities; using adaptive equipment and specialized software; and communicating with teachers, administrators, therapy staff, and families as assigned. Other duties may include classroom clerical assistance, student supervision during brief teacher breaks, and temporary assignments in other classrooms.

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 and attain the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate, including required district 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.
Fingerprinting and successful Washington State Patrol and FBI background clearance, including sexual misconduct clearance.
Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, and/or physical disabilities, assigned 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 community members.
Ability to defuse student conflict and de-escalate situations, and appropriately restrain students when necessary.
Ability to organize and coordinate activities and provide feeding, diapering, toileting, and other personal assistance.
Ability to attend to 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 establish effective, civil, collegial relationships in a multicultural and socioeconomically diverse setting.
Demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.

Responsibilities

Provide teacher-directed instruction to students individually or in small groups, including assigned learning activities, academic interventions, and vocational instruction as assigned.
Assist students with self-care and activities of daily living, which may include feeding, dressing, toileting, diapering, hygiene, and other personal care.
Monitor student safety, including during seizures or other physical emergencies; use adaptive equipment and provide support during adaptive physical education.
Administer and log medications when assigned and appropriately trained by the licensed school nurse or therapist.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in locker rooms and restrooms, and during bus loading or unloading; transport students within school premises as needed.
Record student progress and maintain daily logs, reports, student records, and data related to IEP goals, behavior plans, grooming plans, and academic progress.
Communicate with classroom teachers, program administrators, other school staff, and parents or guardians as assigned.
Support students with physical disabilities by adjusting their positions and implementing occupational or physical therapy activities as directed 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.
Adapt instructional materials and activities, assist with standardized testing, and use specialized teaching techniques, software, and adaptive equipment as assigned.
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 share relevant information about students.
Use, adapt, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized adaptive equipment and computer equipment or software as assigned.
Address concerns with appropriate teaching staff, therapy staff, or building administrators.
Perform classroom clerical tasks, duplicate materials, complete paperwork, and supervise students during brief teacher breaks as needed.
Complete required training for duties such as student restraint or intermittent catheterization when assigned.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.