Paraeducator - Developmental Learning Classroom

Olympia School District • Olympia, WA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Paraeducator in the Developmental Learning Classroom assists certificated staff with supervising and instructing students to address academic, social/emotional, and functional life goals across instructional settings, which may include the community. The role supports implementation of student plans and IEP goals, helps create educational materials, collects student progress data, and contributes to a safe, positive, and productive learning environment. It also involves supporting students’ health and personal care needs, including hygiene and toileting when necessary, and fostering student communication, social skills, participation, and independence.

This is a continuing position scheduled for 6.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday, for 180 days per year, plus 10 paid holidays. The position requires prior job-related experience with school-age children who qualify for special education, fingerprint clearance, and the stated education and assessment or college-credit qualifications. Employees are eligible for the benefits and retirement programs described in the posting, subject to eligibility and applicable agreements.

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 or 48 semester credits at an institution of higher education; or an associate’s degree or higher. Official transcripts are required for college credits or a degree, and credits must be at the 100 level or above.
• Criminal justice fingerprint clearance.
• Prior job-related experience with school-age children who qualify for special education.
• Participate in all district-required health-related trainings.
• Ability to perform basic clerical functions and arithmetic calculations, operate standard office equipment, and use English verbally and in writing with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Ability to create visual supports, student schedules, and reward systems.
• Ability to support students’ special health care needs, including personal hygiene and toileting or diapering as necessary.
• Ability to implement instructional techniques for students with significant needs and make necessary modifications.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions; maintain confidentiality of student records; meet schedules and deadlines; interpret and apply rules, policies, and regulations; and learn instructional methods and materials quickly.
• Effective collaboration and communication among team members.
• 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.
• Ability to use assistive or adaptive technology and methods to support communication and adaptive living skills.
• Ability to implement adopted curricula and individual student plans consistently and accurately collect relevant student data.
• Ability to adjust interactions, including proximity, vocabulary, voice volume and tone, sentence length, and visual supports, to promote student understanding and success.
• Ability to maintain high expectations for learning and promote student independence.
• Ability to provide instruction or follow teachers’ instruction across general and special education curricular areas and school settings.
• Ability to represent the district professionally in community or other public settings.
• 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 district-approved techniques, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Assist certificated staff in 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 student data to help certificated staff evaluate progress.
• Administer first aid or medical assistance and address students’ health care needs, including hygiene and toileting assistance when necessary.
• Maintain student files and records to support appropriate special education programs.
• Monitor students across educational settings to maintain a safe, positive learning environment and facilitate accommodations and modifications to curriculum, materials, and schedules.
• Support other personnel as needed to increase staff capacity to implement students’ instructional and behavioral 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 required training to collaborate, share information, and improve job-related skills.
• Support student participation and learning across school and community settings, including representing the district professionally in public settings.
• Implement district-adopted curricula and individual student plans consistently and with fidelity.
• Use effective instructional management techniques, assistive or adaptive technology, and methods that support communication and adaptive living skills.
• Use de-escalation strategies, monitor for potential safety concerns, and respond promptly to maintain student safety.
• Collect data related to individual and classroom goals accurately and consistently.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Basic life insurance
• 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 applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement

What This Job Offers

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