2026-27 Paraeducator - HSLS - Salish Middle School

North Thurston Public Schools • Lacey, WA

10h • Onsite

About The Position

The Paraeducator assists teachers and school staff with instruction, supervision, and support for students with special needs. Work may take place in special education or general education classrooms, one-on-one, or in small groups. The role supports students in completing assigned work, staying on task, engaging in learning, developing social skills, and building independent living skills. The position is assigned to a school and works under the day-to-day direction of supported staff, with direct supervision by the principal, principal designee, or district designee. Teachers and educational staff associates provide direction and oversight for instructional and supervisory support.

The position is for 3.25 hours per day, five days per week, for 189 days per year, beginning in the 2026/2027 school year. Assignments may be in Highly Supported Learning Services, High Intensity Social Emotional Learning, Resource, Preschool, Student Specific, Vocational Opportunities in Community Employment, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or Future Ready Kindergarten. Duties vary by assignment and may include assisting with personal care and health-related needs, implementing safety and behavior plans, supporting therapy plans, supervising students, documenting progress, and performing limited clerical tasks. The employee must follow district policies and procedures, protect student confidentiality, and acquire and apply knowledge of IDEA and Section 504 requirements.

The district describes its community as diverse, with more than 50% of students having diverse backgrounds, and seeks someone experienced in working with culturally diverse families and communities or otherwise committed to strengthening engagement and communication with diverse populations. This is a union position. Employment is considered temporary until satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background checks are received.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Either an associate’s degree, 72 quarter credits of college courses numbered 100 or above, or passing the ETS ParaPro test.
• May be required to obtain or hold certification in first aid, CPR, and/or operation of defibrillators.
• May be required to receive training in instructional methodologies, including reading, writing, and mathematics, and special education topics such as restraint, safety, and medication.
• Successful experience working with culturally diverse families and communities, or demonstrated commitment to strengthening engagement with 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, and to remain calm and focused when engaging with challenging students, families, 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 become knowledgeable about, classroom management and student discipline procedures.
• Command and proper annunciation, spelling, syntax, and use of English to model and support students’ language usage.
• Ability to organize work and set priorities to complete work effectively and on time.
• Ability to protect confidential student information consistent with FERPA 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.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience demonstrating the ability to work successfully with children in a learning environment; education beyond high school may be substituted for experience year for year, with 30 semester hours or a portion thereof considered a year or portion thereof.
• Bilingual skills.
• Familiarity with, or willingness and ability to be trained in, inclusive strategies used to meet 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 and general education settings, including one-on-one and small-group situations.
• Help students complete assigned work and remain on task; provide instructional support and tutoring in large groups, small groups, and one-on-one settings.
• Assist students with daily living tasks, including eating, dressing, toileting, and diapering; teach independent living skills such as cooking, laundry, hygiene, and cleanliness.
• As authorized and assigned, provide health-related assistance, which may include colostomy care, catheterization, tube feedings, medication, dressings, oxygen, insulin, nebulizers or inhalers, and mobility aids.
• Follow approved restraint procedures to help protect students or others from harm, and intervene when students are unsafe or not in control.
• Assist with physical and occupational therapy plans, including work on range of motion, mobility, and positioning.
• Escort and supervise students to and from recess, playgrounds, buses, and other locations; duties may include riding a bus, playground supervision, bus duty, crossing guard duty, and hallway supervision.
• Communicate respectfully and confidentially with students, parents, and community members in accordance with staff guidance and district policies.
• Implement visual supports and instructional-environment modifications, and provide individualized social-skills and organizational instruction under certificated staff direction.
• Use behavior management plans and communicate with teachers and other certified staff to support consistent behavioral plans and an environment conducive to learning.
• Supervise limited discipline measures, such as time-out, loss of recess, or removal from class when disruptive to learning.
• Document student behavior and help maintain weekly progress reports to support assessment of progress on education plans.
• Prioritize and complete daily tasks efficiently; perform limited clerical work such as copying, faxing, answering telephones, ordering supplies, and record keeping.
• Follow Board policies and stay current with updates and changes; perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employees anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year (September 1 through August 31) 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.
• Employees may participate in tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans.

What This Job Offers

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