Paraeducator - 1:1 Developmental Learning Classroom

Olympia School District • Olympia, WA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Paraeducator in a Developmental Learning Classroom assists with supervising and instructing students to support academic, social/emotional, and functional life goals across instructional settings, which may include the community. The role supports certificated staff with IEP-related plans and materials, collects and communicates student progress data, and helps provide safe, positive, and appropriately accommodated learning environments. Duties may include first aid and medical assistance, personal care and toileting, supporting instructional and behavioral plans, maintaining student records, collaborating with staff, and promoting student independence. This is a continuing position scheduled for 6.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for 180 days per year, plus 10 paid holidays.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• When applicable, successful completion of one of the following: ETS ParaPro assessment; 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. College credits must be at the 100 level or above; 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 OSD-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 provide for students’ special health care needs, including personal hygiene and toileting/diapering as necessary.
• Ability to implement instructional techniques for students with significant needs and make necessary modifications.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; maintain confidentiality; meet schedules and deadlines; interpret and apply rules, regulations, and policies; and learn instructional methods and materials quickly.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with team members.
• Ability to stay alert, anticipate and prevent safety risks or behavioral escalation, and respond promptly to protect students.
• Ability to facilitate positive communication and social skills and support student participation and learning, potentially in community settings.
• Ability to use effective instructional management techniques to engage students in learning activities.
• Ability to implement adopted curricula and individual student plans consistently and with fidelity and to collect relevant student data accurately.
• Ability to self-monitor and adjust interactions, including proximity, vocabulary, voice volume and tone, sentence length, and use of visual supports, to promote student understanding and success.
• Ability to maintain high expectations for student learning and maximize student independence.
• Ability to provide instruction or follow teacher instruction in general and/or special education curricular areas across school settings.
• Ability to represent the district professionally through positive communication, social interactions, and appearance.
• Significant physical abilities include prolonged sitting; reaching and handling; talking and hearing conversations; near and far visual acuity; moving quickly in potentially dangerous situations; 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 appropriate training to gain skills needed for the position, such as obtaining a Type II License or Food Handler’s Permit.
• Right Response Certification or willingness to obtain and maintain it.
• Existing training in, or willingness to obtain training in, district instructional methodologies such as STAR, FACTER, Structured Teaching, and ABA.

Responsibilities

• Assist certificated staff with implementation of plans related to IEP program development, including functional behavioral assessments, behavior intervention plans, aversive therapy plans, and activities related to communication and OT/PT IEP goals.
• Help create educational materials that enable students to make progress toward IEP goals and objectives.
• Collect and communicate relevant data to help certificated staff evaluate student progress.
• Administer first aid and medical assistance and address students’ health care needs, including personal hygiene and toileting assistance when necessary.
• Maintain student files and records to support the development of appropriate special education programs.
• Monitor students across educational settings to provide a safe and positive learning environment, including facilitating accommodations and modifications to curricula, materials, and schedules.
• Assist other personnel as needed to increase staff capacity to implement student instructional and behavioral programs.
• Collaborate with other 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 regarding students, staff, and parents.
• Facilitate student independence in instructional settings.
• Participate in team meetings and required training to collaborate, share information, and improve skills and knowledge.
• Provide instruction and/or follow teachers’ instruction across grade-level curricular areas and school settings.
• Create and use effective visual supports, student schedules, and reward systems.
• Implement district-adopted curricula and individual student plans consistently and with fidelity; collect student data independently, consistently, and accurately.
• Use assistive or adaptive technology and methods to support communication and adaptive living skills.
• Use de-escalation strategies, anticipate and prevent unsafe situations or behavioral escalation, and react promptly to maintain student safety.
• Represent Olympia School District professionally when supporting students in community or other public settings.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance for eligible employees and their families, administered through 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, including 10 paid holidays noted for this position.
• 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