Paraeducator - 1:1 Student Specific

Olympia School District • Olympia, WA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The 1:1 Student Specific Paraeducator assists with the supervision and instruction of an individual student and works directly with staff and students to support placement in the least restrictive educational environment. This is a 5-hour-per-day, one-year-only position, Monday through Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., for 180 days per year plus 10 paid holidays.

The paraeducator supports certificated staff in implementing student plans and IEP goals, preparing educational materials, collecting and sharing student progress data, and maintaining records. The role includes monitoring students across educational settings, facilitating accommodations and curriculum modifications, supporting communication and social skills, promoting student independence, and providing health care assistance as needed. The paraeducator collaborates with school personnel, participates in team meetings and required trainings, maintains confidentiality, and helps provide a safe, positive learning environment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• When applicable, successful completion of one of the following: the ETS ParaPro assessment; the Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program; 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at an institution of higher education; or an associate degree or higher. College credits must be at the 100 level or above, and official transcripts are required where applicable.
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance.
• Prior job-related experience with school-age children who qualify for special education.
• Participate in all Olympia School District-required health-related trainings.
• Ability to perform basic clerical functions and arithmetic calculations, operate standard office equipment, and use written and spoken English with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Ability to create effective visual supports, student schedules, and reward systems.
• Ability to provide for students’ special health care needs, including personal hygiene and toileting or diapering as necessary.
• Ability to use instructional techniques and modifications appropriate for students with significant needs.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, maintain confidentiality of student records, meet schedules and deadlines, interpret and apply rules and policies, and learn instructional methods and materials quickly.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with administrators, special and general education teachers, and other paraeducators.
• Ability to remain alert, anticipate and prevent unsafe situations or behavioral escalation, and react promptly to maintain student safety.
• Ability to facilitate positive communication and social skills and support student participation and learning, including in community settings.
• Ability to use assistive or adaptive technology and methods to support communication and adaptive living skills.
• Ability to collect student data relevant to individual or classroom goals independently, consistently, and accurately.
• Ability to adjust interactions, including physical proximity, vocabulary, voice volume and tone, sentence length, and visual supports, to promote student understanding and success.
• Ability to maintain high expectations for student learning and maximize independence.
• Ability to use de-escalation strategies and district-approved physical restraint techniques when necessary.
• Ability to use social stories, non-verbal systems, positive reward systems, and other non-punitive behavior supports.
• Ability to implement district-adopted curricula and individual student plans consistently and with fidelity.
• Significant physical abilities include prolonged sitting; reaching and handling; talking and hearing conversations; near and far visual acuity; moving quickly in response to potential danger; restraining students when necessary using approved techniques; and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Right Response Training.
• Restorative Practices Training.
• First Aid and CPR training may be required.
• Right Response Certification, or willingness to obtain and maintain it.
• Willingness to participate in training to gain necessary skills, such as obtaining a Type II License or Food Handlers Permit.
• Existing training or willingness to obtain training in district instructional methodologies such as STAR, FACTER, Structured Teaching, and ABA.

Responsibilities

• Assist certificated staff with implementing plans related to IEP development, including functional behavioral assessments, behavior intervention plans, aversive therapy plans, and communication and OT/PT goals.
• Help create educational materials that support student progress toward IEP goals and objectives.
• Collect and communicate relevant data to help certificated staff evaluate student progress.
• Provide first aid, medical assistance, and other health care support, including personal hygiene and toileting assistance when necessary.
• Maintain student files and records to support appropriate special education programming.
• Monitor students across educational settings to provide a safe, positive learning environment and facilitate required accommodations and modifications.
• Assist other personnel as needed to increase staff capacity to implement instructional and behavioral plans and other student programs.
• Collaborate with personnel to evaluate student progress and implement student objectives.
• Contribute to a positive and productive learning environment for students and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality in communications about students, staff, and parents.
• Facilitate student independence in instructional settings.
• Participate in team meetings and training to collaborate, share information, and improve skills and knowledge.
• Implement district-adopted curricula and individual student plans consistently and with fidelity.
• Represent the Olympia School District professionally when supporting students in community or public settings.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance benefits for eligible employees and their families, administered by the School Employees Benefit Board (SEBB); final eligibility is determined at hire.
• Eligibility to enroll in the Department of Retirement Services SERS plan for classified employees or TERS plan for certificated employees.
• Eligibility to enroll in the DRS Deferred Compensation Program.
• Vacation leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Additional compensation beyond base salary as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

What This Job Offers

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