2026-27 Paraeducator - Student Specific - Seven Oaks Elementary

North Thurston Public Schools • Lacey, WA

11h • Onsite

About The Position

The Paraeducator provides instructional and support assistance to teachers and school staff working with students with special needs. The role may involve supporting students individually or in small groups, helping them complete assigned work, stay on task, participate in instruction, and develop social and independent-living skills. Assignments may take place in special education or general education classrooms and may include student-specific support across a range of programs and settings.

The Paraeducator works under the day-to-day direction of the staff member being supported and under the direct supervision of the Principal, Principal Designee, or District Designee. Teachers and educational staff associates provide direction and oversight for instructional and supervisory support. The employee is expected to follow school and district policies and procedures and to acquire and apply knowledge of IDEA and Section 504 requirements.

This position is scheduled for 6.5 hours per day, 5 days per week, and 189 days per year, beginning in the 2026/2027 school year. The standard position description covers paraeducator assignments with similar duties and classification; an individual assignment may not include every listed function. The employee may be assigned other related duties as needed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• An associate degree, 72 quarter credits of college courses numbered 100 or above, or a passing ETS ParaPro test.
• May be required to obtain or hold certification in first aid, CPR, and/or defibrillator operation.
• May be required to complete training in instructional methods, student restraint and safety, medication, or other special education areas.
• Successful experience working with culturally diverse families and communities, or demonstrated commitment to engaging a diverse community and communicating with a diverse population.
• 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.
• Ability to remain calm, focused, and in control when working with people who may be difficult or challenging to engage.
• 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 become knowledgeable about, classroom management and student discipline procedures.
• Strong command and proper use of spoken and written English, including pronunciation, spelling, and syntax, to model language use for students.
• Ability to organize work and set priorities to complete tasks in a timely and effective manner.
• Ability to protect confidential student information in accordance with FERPA and good judgment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with staff, students, parents, volunteers, and community members.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Skill in using office and computer equipment, standard office software, and student information system software.
• Ability to meet physical demands that include lifting or moving 25 to 50 pounds, and assisting, moving, or restraining heavier students when necessary for safety.
• Ability to perform duties that may involve frequent sitting, lifting, carrying, moving about, hearing, and speaking; extensive computer-terminal work or standing for more than two hours may be required.
• Ability to work in conditions that may include occasional outdoor weather, wet or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, infectious disease, blood or other potentially infectious materials, bodily fluids and waste, student and learning-resource noise, and aggressive student behavior.
• May be required to use safety equipment and travel in school-owned or leased vehicles while supervising and assisting students.

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 year for year, with 30 semester hours or a portion thereof considered one year or a portion thereof.
• Bilingual skills.
• Familiarity with, or willingness and ability to be trained in, inclusive strategies for meeting the educational needs of students with disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers with assessment, curriculum implementation, student interactions, safe behaviors, and students’ social growth in special education classrooms, general education classrooms, and one-on-one or small-group settings.
• Help students with daily living tasks, including eating, dressing, toileting, and diapering; assignments may also include colostomy care, catheterization, tube feedings, medication, and other health-related assistance as authorized and directed.
• Teach independent living skills such as cooking, laundry, personal hygiene, and cleanliness.
• Follow approved school or district restraint procedures when intervening to protect students or others from harm.
• Help implement physical and occupational therapy plans, including activities to support range of motion, mobility, and positioning.
• Escort students to and from recess, playgrounds, buses, and other locations; assignments may include riding a bus with students.
• Communicate respectfully and confidentially with students, parents, and community members in accordance with staff direction and school or district policies.
• Supervise student safety, including activities such as recess, playground, bus, crossing guard, and hallway duty, and intervene in unsafe or uncontrolled situations.
• Provide instructional support and tutoring in large-group, small-group, and one-on-one situations.
• Support visual aids and modifications to the instructional environment to help students engage in learning.
• Provide individualized social-skills and organizational instruction under the direction of certificated personnel.
• Use behavior management plans and collaborate with staff to maintain an environment conducive to learning; communicate with teachers and certified staff about consistent behavioral plans.
• Prioritize daily work and complete assigned tasks efficiently.
• Use communication and interpersonal skills to listen to concerns, adapt language to student understanding, observe body language, and help resolve conflicts or sensitive problems.
• Supervise limited discipline measures, such as time-out, loss of recess, or removal from a classroom when a student disrupts the learning environment.
• Document student behavior and assist teachers in assessing progress under education plans; maintain or help maintain weekly progress reports.
• Assist with limited clerical tasks, including copying, faxing, answering telephones, ordering supplies, and record keeping.
• Follow Board policies and remain informed about updates and changes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employees anticipated to work 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.
• 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: High school or GED