2026-27 Paraeducator - HSLS - Horizons Elementary

North Thurston Public Schools • Olympia, WA

9h • Onsite

About The Position

The Paraeducator provides instructional and support assistance to teachers and school staff working with students with special needs. The role supports instruction, supervision, and student education in classroom, small-group, and one-on-one settings, helping students complete assigned work and stay on task. The position works under the day-to-day direction of supported staff and the direct supervision of a principal, principal designee, or district designee. The employee is expected to follow school and district policies and procedures and apply knowledge of IDEA and Section 504 requirements.

The position is assigned to a school and may serve in a variety of special education programs, including Highly Supported Learning Services (HSLS), High Intensity Social Emotional Learning (HiSEL), Resource, Preschool, Student Specific, Vocational Opportunities in Community Employment (VOICE), Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), and Future Ready Kindergarten (FRK). Work is scheduled for 6.5 hours per day, 5 days per week, and 189 days per year, beginning in the 2026/2027 school year.

Depending on assignment, duties may include instructional support and tutoring; assistance with daily living and personal care; support for health, therapy, safety, behavioral, and social-emotional needs; student supervision and transportation-related duties; documentation and limited clerical work. The role may involve responding to unsafe behavior and assisting with approved student restraint procedures. Employees must communicate respectfully and confidentially with students, families, staff, and community members, including working effectively with culturally diverse communities.

The position is classified as an instructional paraeducator, is non-exempt, and is a union position represented by NTPA. Employees anticipated to work at least 630 hours during the school year are eligible for medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and basic life insurance benefits. Eligible employees are required to participate in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems plan and may participate in tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 plans. Employment is considered temporary until satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background checks are received; proof that fingerprinting has begun is required before the first day of work.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• An associate degree, or 72 quarter credits of college courses numbered 100 or above, or passing the ETS ParaPro test.
• Successful experience working with culturally diverse families and communities, or demonstrated commitment to strengthening engagement with a diverse community and skill communicating with diverse populations.
• Ability to work amid frequent interruptions and changing tasks and priorities.
• Ability to assist, console, and manage students who may be emotional, distraught, or frustrated, and to remain calm and focused when engaging with challenging students, families, guardians, or community members.
• Ability to follow written and verbal directions, seek clarification, and take initiative when needed.
• Regular and reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, classroom management and student discipline procedures.
• Strong command and proper use of spoken and written English, including modeling appropriate language usage for students.
• Ability to organize work and set priorities to complete tasks efficiently and on time.
• Ability to protect confidential student information consistent with FERPA requirements and good judgment.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with staff, students, parents, volunteers, and community members.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Skill using office and computer equipment, standard office software, and student information system software.
• May be required to obtain certification in first aid, CPR, and/or defibrillator operation.
• May be required to receive training in instructional methodologies, student restraint, safety, medication, and other special education areas.
• Ability to meet the physical and environmental requirements of the job, including lifting or moving 25 to 50 pounds and potentially assisting, moving, or restraining heavier students during safety interventions.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience demonstrating the ability to work successfully with children in a learning environment; education beyond high school may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis, with 30 semester hours or a portion thereof considered equivalent to one year or a portion thereof.
• Bilingual skills.
• Familiarity with inclusive strategies used to meet the educational needs of students with disabilities, or willingness and ability to be trained in those strategies.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers with assessment, curriculum implementation, student interactions, safe behaviors, and students’ social growth in special education and regular education settings, including one-on-one and small-group situations.
• Help students complete assigned work and stay on task; provide instructional support and tutoring in large groups, small groups, and one-on-one settings.
• Assist students with daily tasks such as eating, dressing, toileting, and diapering; teach independent living skills such as cooking, laundry, hygiene, and cleanliness.
• As authorized, provide or assist with health-related care, including colostomy care, catheterization, tube feedings, medications, dressings, oxygen, insulin, nebulizers, inhalers, and mobility aids.
• Follow school- or district-approved procedures to intervene or assist in restraining students at risk of harming themselves or others.
• Implement physical and occupational therapy plans by helping students with range of motion, mobility, and positioning.
• Escort and supervise students traveling to and from recess, playgrounds, buses, and other locations; ride on buses with students when required.
• Oversee student safety through duties such as playground, recess, bus, crossing guard, and hallway supervision, and intervene in dangerous or unsafe situations.
• Use visual supports and instructional-environment modifications to support student engagement; provide individualized social-skills and organizational instruction under certificated staff direction.
• Use behavior management plans, communicate with teachers and certified staff about behavioral plans, and supervise limited discipline measures as assigned.
• Observe and document student behavior and maintain or assist with weekly student progress reports.
• Communicate respectfully and confidentially with students, parents, and community members, following staff direction and district policies.
• Prioritize and complete daily tasks efficiently; listen to concerns, use language appropriate to students’ understanding, and use interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts or sensitive issues.
• Assist with limited clerical duties, including making copies, operating a fax machine, answering telephones, ordering supplies, and record keeping.
• Follow Board policies and remain current on updates and changes; perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance for employees anticipated to work at least 630 hours during the school year.
• Dental insurance for employees anticipated to work at least 630 hours during the school year.
• Vision insurance for employees anticipated to work at least 630 hours during the school year.
• Long-term disability insurance for employees anticipated to work at least 630 hours during the school year.
• Basic life insurance for employees anticipated to work at least 630 hours during the school year.
• Eligible employees are required to be members of a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems plan.
• Eligible employees may participate in tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 deferred compensation plans.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree