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 position supports implementation of students’ individualized education programs (IEPs), promotes student independence, and helps maintain a safe, positive learning environment.

This is a continuing position scheduled for 6.0 hours per day, Monday through Friday, 8:55 a.m. to 3:25 p.m., for 180 days per year, plus 10 paid holidays. The preferred candidate can perform transfers and changing. Required application attachments include two classified reference letters and either ParaPro assessment results or official college transcripts.

Employees and their families are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance benefits, subject to final eligibility determination at hire. Employees may enroll in the applicable Department of Retirement Services plan and the Deferred Compensation Program. Vacation leave, paid holidays, and additional compensation are provided as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent, plus one applicable qualification: successful completion of the ETS ParaPro assessment; successful completion of the Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program; 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits from an institution of higher education; or an associate degree or higher. College credits must be at the 100 level or above, and official transcripts are required when applicable.
• Criminal justice fingerprint clearance.
• Prior job-related experience with school-age children who qualify for special education.
• Participate in all required Olympia School District health-related training.
• Ability to perform basic clerical functions and arithmetic calculations, operate standard office equipment, and use English effectively in speech and writing.
• Ability to provide for students’ special health care needs, including personal hygiene and toileting or diapering as needed.
• Ability to implement instructional techniques and necessary modifications for students with significant needs.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, maintain confidentiality of student records, meet schedules and deadlines, interpret and apply rules and policies, and learn instructional methods and materials quickly.
• Effective collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to remain alert, anticipate and prevent unsafe situations or behavioral escalation, and respond promptly to maintain student safety.
• Ability to facilitate positive communication and social skills and support student engagement and learning.
• Ability to use assistive or adaptive technology and methods to support communication and adaptive living skills.
• Ability to self-monitor and adjust interactions to promote student understanding and success.
• Ability to maintain high expectations for learning and support student independence.
• Ability to follow teachers’ instruction and provide instruction across general and special education grade-level curricular areas.
• Ability to participate in community or other public settings professionally.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods; reach and handle; communicate and hear conversations; see at near and far distances; move quickly in response to potential danger; restrain students when necessary using district-approved techniques; and lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to perform student transfers and changing.
• First Aid and CPR training, which may be required.
• Type II License and Food Handlers Permit, or willingness to obtain them.
• 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 with 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 data to help certificated staff evaluate student progress.
• Administer first aid and medical assistance, address health care needs, and provide personal hygiene and toileting assistance when needed.
• Maintain student files and records to support appropriate special education programs.
• Monitor students across educational settings to provide a safe, positive learning environment and facilitate required curriculum, material, and schedule accommodations or modifications.
• Assist other personnel as needed to increase staff capacity to implement student 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.
• Promote student independence in instructional settings.
• Participate in team meetings and required training to collaborate, share information, and improve skills and knowledge.
• Implement instructional techniques, district-adopted curricula, and individual student plans consistently and with fidelity.
• Create visual supports, student schedules, and reward systems.
• Support student communication, social skills, participation, and learning, including in community settings when applicable.
• Use de-escalation strategies and respond promptly to protect student safety.
• Collect student data relevant to individual and classroom goals accurately and consistently.
• Represent Olympia School District professionally in community or other public settings.

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 Department of Retirement Services Deferred Compensation Program
• Vacation leave
• 10 paid holidays
• Additional compensation as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement

What This Job Offers

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