Paraeducator - Non-Mainstream SpEd FOSS Program

Bethel School District 403•Spanaway, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Paraeducator in the Non-Mainstream Special Education FOSS Program. The role involves assisting certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for non-mainstreamed special education students, generally in a self-contained classroom. Responsibilities include instructing students individually or in small groups, assisting with basic life skills, supervising student behavior, and potentially personal care, toilet teaching, feeding, and communication development, in addition to academic or pre-academic instruction. The position requires completion of Right Response Training within the first 3 months of hire and adherence to district infection control plans. Hepatitis-B immunization is offered.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age
Hold high school diploma or its equivalent
Successfully passed the ETS Para Pro test or Pearson Paraprofessional assessment OR AA degree or higher OR Earned seventy-two (72) quarter credits or forty-eight (48) semester credits at an accredited institution of higher education OR Completion of registered apprenticeship program offered by the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries OR Successful completion of The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program
Must complete Right Response Training within 3-5 months of hire.
Must successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and General Paraeducator Certificate of the state mandated Paraeducator Certificate Program per State requirements.
Demonstrated skill in reading, writing and communicating.
Knowledge of basic subject areas, such as reading and math.
Ability to deal with students in a warm and confident manner.
Ability to remain flexible in changes in assignments.
Ability to organize activities.
Ability to follow and give instructions.
Ability to be fair and consistent when working with students.
Ability to learn and implement effective behavior management techniques.
Ability to learn and implement effective instructional techniques.
Knowledge of a variety of behavior and learning disorders.
Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures.
Ability to remain flexible and calm when schedules change or student becomes agitated.
Ability to learn the use of computers and various software packages for student instruction and record keeping.
Ability to learn the operation of general office machines.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and staff.
Ability to diffuse situations and resolve conflicts.
Requires some confidentiality.
Requires fingerprinting and background check to determine that there have been no convictions involving physical molestation, abuse, injury or neglect of a minor.
Must complete training in and adhere to district infection control plan.
May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with school age children and special needs students preferred.
Non-violent crisis intervention, development and use of PECS, visual schedule systems, and visual supports, use of Social Stories, universal precautions and toilet teaching for special needs, understanding of child development and the needs of students on the Autism spectrum, and sensory processing.
Completion of the Autism Spectrum Disorder course.

Responsibilities

Instructs moderately to severely handicapped students individually or in small groups in a variety of learning activities to promote student understanding of materials presented.
Provides encouragement, reinforcement and achievement of educational objectives and goals defined by certificated staff.
Assists in the administration of objective tests or other measurements.
Communicates with certificated staff concerning individual student progress; adjusts methods to meet the needs of a wide variety of students; consults with certificated staff concerning remediation or enrichment activities.
Assists certificated staff in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments and other records for assessment of student progress.
Attends to student physical and safety needs; monitors students for medical risks such as seizures and behaviors that may result in harm to themselves or others.
Corrects behaviors and maintains discipline according to established policies and procedures.
Assists students with toileting, which may include catheterization and diapering; attends to the personal hygiene needs of students.
Assists students in washing hands and face, brushing teeth and hair, and taking showers.
Assists students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery; helps feed students and teaches social aspects of eating with others.
Assists students with basic living skills and pre-vocational activities.
Works with students to develop communication skills; facilitates integration of students with age-group peers to the extent possible.
Establishes and effective communication with students, staff and parents for student progress and safety, and community relations.
Provides physical assistance to students, such as lifting or positioning.
Uses adaptive equipment to communicate with students; follows and documents procedures established by physical therapist.
Monitors need for first aid for students and refers for treatment as appropriate.
Maintains cleanliness and hygiene of classroom, implements and equipment.
Washes dishes; cleans and disinfects tables and counters; washes and dries clothes, towels, washcloths and bibs.
Alerts qualified district staff to student problems.
Locates, prepares and/or modifies materials for student use, enrichment activities and special projects under the direction of certificated staff.
Prepares, duplicates, collates and distributes materials; operates a variety of office equipment.
Maintains physical appearance of classroom and other assigned areas; maintains, assembles and stores therapeutic and other equipment as assigned; maintains supplies as assigned.
May serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams.
Models appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information, consistent with district ethical guidelines.
Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.