Paraeducator - 1:1 Student Specific

Olympia School District • Olympia, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The 1:1 Student Specific Paraeducator assists with the supervision and instruction of individual students and works directly with staff and students to support placement in the least restrictive educational environment. The role supports implementation of individualized education program (IEP) plans and goals, student learning and independence, and a safe, positive educational environment across settings. Duties may include instructional, behavioral, communication, occupational and physical therapy, and personal care support.

This is a continuing position scheduled for 6.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., for 180 days per year, plus 10 paid holidays. Required application attachments are two classified reference letters and a copy of ParaPro assessment results or official college transcripts. The Olympia School District encourages candidates who can contribute to staff diversity to apply and describe their relevant strengths and experiences.

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 degree or higher. College credits must be at the 100 level or above, and official transcripts are required where applicable.
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance.
• Prior job-related experience with school-age children who qualify for special education.
• Participation in all Olympia School District-required health-related trainings.
• Ability to perform basic clerical functions and arithmetic calculations and operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to use English verbally and in writing with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Ability to create effective visual supports, student schedules, and reward systems.
• Ability to provide for students' special health care needs, including personal hygiene and toileting or diapering as necessary.
• Ability to implement instructional techniques and modifications for students with significant needs.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; maintain confidentiality of student records; meet schedules and deadlines; interpret and apply rules, regulations, and policies; and learn instructional methods and materials rapidly.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with administrators, special and general education teachers, and other paraeducators.
• 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 participation and learning, including in community settings when applicable.
• Ability to use assistive or adaptive technology and methods to support communication or adaptive living skills.
• Ability to collect student data independently, consistently, and accurately.
• Ability to adjust interactions, including proximity, vocabulary, voice volume and tone, sentence length, and visual supports, to promote student understanding and success.
• Ability to maintain high expectations for student learning and maximize independence.
• Ability to use social stories or other non-verbal systems and positive, non-punitive behavior support systems.
• Ability to use district-approved physical restraint techniques and work with others when restraint is necessary.
• Significant physical abilities include prolonged sitting; reaching and handling; talking and hearing conversations; near and far visual acuity; moving quickly in response to potential danger; restraining students when necessary using 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 Type II License or Food Handlers Permit.
• Right Response Certification or willingness to obtain and maintain it.
• Possession of, or willingness to obtain, training in adopted district instructional methodologies such as STAR, FACTER, Structured Teaching, or ABA.

Responsibilities

• Assist certificated staff with implementing plans related to IEP 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 support student progress toward IEP goals and objectives.
• Collect and communicate relevant data to help certificated staff evaluate student progress.
• Provide first aid, medical assistance, and other health care support, 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, positive learning environment and facilitate accommodations and modifications to curriculum, 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 the instructional setting.
• Participate in team meetings and trainings to collaborate, share information, and improve skills and knowledge.
• Implement district-adopted curricula and individual student plans consistently and with fidelity.
• Collect student data relevant to individual and classroom goals accurately and consistently.
• Use de-escalation strategies and district-approved physical restraint techniques when necessary to maintain student safety.
• Support students' communication, social skills, participation, and learning, including in community settings when applicable.
• Represent the Olympia School District professionally when supporting students in community or 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 DRS Deferred Compensation Program
• Vacation leave
• Paid holidays
• Additional compensation beyond base salary 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