Paraeducator - DLC

Olympia School District • Olympia, WA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Paraeducator - Developmental Learning Classroom position is responsible for assisting in the supervision and instruction of students to address their academic, social/emotional, and functional life goals across various instructional settings, including the community. This is a 6.0 hours per day continuing position that works Monday through Friday from 8:55 am to 3:25 pm, for 180 days per year, plus 10 paid holidays. The Olympia School District is committed to increasing staff diversity and encourages candidates who can contribute to this goal to apply.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of ONE of the following: ETS Parapro assessment, Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program, OR 72 quarter or 48 semester credits at an institution of higher education (official transcript required), OR an Associate’s (or higher) degree (official transcript required). Credits must be at 100 level or above.
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance.
• Prior job-related experience with school-age children who qualify for special education.
• Participate in all OSD required health-related trainings.
• First Aid and CPR Training may be required.
• Willingness to participate in appropriate training to gain necessary skills, e.g. Type II License, Food Handlers Permit.
• Right Response Certification or willingness to obtain and maintain.
• Perform basic clerical functions.
• Perform basic arithmetic calculations.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Use English in verbal and written form, with correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Create effective visual supports, student schedules, and reward systems.
• Provide for special health care needs of students including personal hygiene and toileting/diapering as necessary.
• Implement instructional techniques effective with students with significant needs, and necessary modifications to meet those needs.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records.
• Meet schedules and deadlines.
• Read/interpret/apply rules, regulations, policies.
• Rapidly learn methods and materials used in instructional situations.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively among team members.
• Maintain alertness at all times to anticipate and prevent unsafe situations; anticipate and prevent potential escalation of behavior.
• React promptly to maintain students’ safety.
• Facilitate the development of positive communication and social skills; support participation and learning in the instructional setting, which may include the community.
• Utilize effective instructional management techniques to facilitate student engagement in learning activities.
• Use assistive/adaptive technology and methods to support communication and/or adaptive living skills.
• Implement OSD-adopted curricula and/or individual student plans consistently and with fidelity.
• Collect student data relevant to individual and/or classroom goals, independently, consistently, and accurately.
• Self-monitor and adjust interactions (including physical proximity, vocabulary, volume & tone of voice, sentence length, and use of visual supports) to promote student understanding and success.
• Maintain high expectations for student learning to maximize independence among all students.
• Know and use de-escalation strategies regarding student behaviors/emotional/social needs.
• Have, or be willing to obtain training in a variety of adopted district instructional methodologies such as STAR, FACTER, Structured Teaching, ABA.
• Provide instruction and/or follow teachers’ instruction in various grade level curricular areas (General and/or Special Education) to support student learning across school settings.
• Utilize effective instructional management techniques to facilitate student engagement in learning activities.
• Use assistive/adaptive technology and methods to support communication and/or adaptive living skills.
• Implement OSD-adopted curricula and/or individual student plans consistently and with fidelity.
• Represent the Olympia SD in a professional manner when supporting students participating in community or other public settings, through positive communications, social interactions and appearance.
• Significant physical abilities include sitting for prolonged periods; reaching/handling; talking/hearing conversations; near/far visual acuity; moving quickly in response to situations of potential danger to students and/or staff; restraining students, when necessary, using district approved techniques; lifting up to 50 lbs.

Nice To Haves

• Para Pro Assessment Test results (as an attachment)
• Official college transcripts (as an attachment)

Responsibilities

• Assist certificated staff in implementing plans related to IEP program development, including functional behavioral assessments, behavior intervention plans, aversive therapy plans, and activities for communication and OT/PT IEP goals.
• Assist certificated staff in creating necessary educational materials to help students progress toward IEP goals and objectives.
• Collect and communicate relevant data to assist certificated staff in evaluating student progress.
• Administer first aid, medical assistance, and/or address health care needs, including personal hygiene and toileting assistance.
• Maintain student files and records to aid in developing appropriate educational programs for students qualifying for special education.
• Monitor students across educational settings to ensure a safe and positive learning environment, including facilitating necessary accommodations and modifications to curriculum, materials, and schedules.
• Assist other personnel as required to increase staff capacity in implementing identified student programs, including instructional and behavioral plans.
• Collaborate effectively with other personnel for student progress evaluation and/or implementation of student objectives.
• Contribute to a positive and productive learning environment for students and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality in communications regarding students, staff, and parents.
• Facilitate student independence in the instructional setting in a positive and productive manner.
• Participate in team meetings for collaboration and information sharing, and necessary trainings to improve skills/knowledge.
• Represent the Olympia SD professionally when supporting students in community or other public settings through positive communications, social interactions, and appearance.
• Provide instruction and/or follow teachers’ instruction in various grade level curricular areas (General and/or Special Education) to support student learning across school settings.
• Utilize effective instructional management techniques to facilitate student engagement in learning activities.
• Use assistive/adaptive technology and methods to support communication and/or adaptive living skills.
• Implement OSD-adopted curricula and/or individual student plans consistently and with fidelity.
• Collect student data relevant to individual and/or classroom goals, independently, consistently, and accurately.
• Self-monitor and adjust interactions (including physical proximity, vocabulary, volume & tone of voice, sentence length, and use of visual supports) to promote student understanding and success.
• Maintain high expectations for student learning to maximize independence among all students.
• Know and use de-escalation strategies regarding student behaviors/emotional/social needs.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Basic life insurance
• Enrollment in the Department of Retirement Services (DRS) SERS plan (classified employees) or TERS plan (certificated employees)
• DRS Deferred Compensation Program
• Vacation leave
• Paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED