Special Education Education Support Professional Access - Mt Tahoma

Tacoma Public Schools•Mount Tahoma High 4634 S. 74th St., WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring an Education Support Professional to assist a certificated teacher with the instructional and personal-care needs of students with a broad range of disabilities, including medical, physical, developmental, sensory, and behavioral needs. The role provides academic interventions and may assist students with activities of daily living. The position is based at Mt Tahoma and is expected to start as soon as possible. It is 0.875 FTE, with seven work hours plus a 30-minute duty-free lunch period for a total of 7.5 hours on campus. The schedule is 183 work days over 10 months. Salary is based on education level and documented experience as an Education Support Professional or paraprofessional in Washington public school districts: $29.50 for 72 college-level credits or a passed ParaPro test, $30.25 with an associate degree, and $30.50 with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The role includes providing individual or small-group instruction, supporting students’ personal care and safety, monitoring and recording progress, assisting with behavior and classroom management, and using adaptive equipment and instructional materials. Duties may also include supporting students on buses, during meals and breaks, on field trips, in general education settings, and at off-site jobs. Some responsibilities are conditional on assignment and appropriate training, including medication administration, physical restraint, catheterization, and specialized personal care. The position requires completion of the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. District-provided Fundamental Course of Study training comprises 28 hours: the first two days must be completed within four months of hire and the second two days within six months of hire or by September 1 of the next school year. The general certificate is earned after completing ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development. CPR/First Aid certification is required, or the employee must be willing to train within the first 90 days. District restraint training and maintained certification are required. Fingerprint and successful Washington State Patrol and FBI background and sexual-misconduct clearances are also required.

Requirements

Associate degree, 72 credit hours of post-secondary education, or a passing state test demonstrating knowledge; demonstrated ability to assist in instructing students; and one year of experience working with individuals with special needs who may have severe disabilities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience meeting federal and state requirements.
Complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate training requirements, including 28 hours of district-provided Fundamental Course of Study training and the required professional development.
CPR/First Aid certification, or willingness to complete training within the first 90 days of employment.
Attend district restraint training and maintain certification.
Successful fingerprint, Washington State Patrol, FBI background, and sexual-misconduct clearances.
Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, or physical disabilities; assigned subject areas; basic learning styles; effective instructional methods for students with disabilities; and safe lifting and positioning methods.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, de-escalate student conflict, communicate and work collegially with staff, students, and the community, and obtain, clarify, and exchange information.
Ability to organize and coordinate activities; provide feeding, diapering, toileting, and other personal assistance; respond sensitively to students who cannot communicate their needs; and appropriately restrain students when necessary.
Ability to walk, sit, squat, crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, reach, and lift to address students’ physical needs; work in inclement weather; lift up to 25 pounds individually and team-lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, civil, and collegial working relationships in a multicultural, diverse socioeconomic setting, and demonstrate reliable attendance.
May be required to complete cleansing intermittent catheterization training.

Responsibilities

Provide instruction individually or in small groups in assigned learning or center activities, following teacher direction; implement activities assigned by specialists and support students’ participation in learning.
Provide personal care as assigned, which may include feeding, dressing, toileting, diapering, hygiene, and other activities of daily living; administer and log medication when assigned and appropriately trained.
Support students with sensory or physical needs, use adaptive equipment, and help maintain a safe instructional environment; monitor students during seizures and other emergencies and respond as trained.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in locker rooms and restrooms, and while loading or unloading buses; instruct bus drivers on student support needs and transport students around school premises as needed.
Record student progress and maintain data sheets, logs, reports, and student records, including information on IEP goals, behavior plans, grooming plans, and academic progress; communicate with teachers, administrators, staff, and parents or guardians as assigned.
Assist students with physical disabilities by repositioning them as needed and implementing occupational or physical therapy activities as directed by specialists; use or teach basic sign language when needed.
Prepare and serve student lunches and snacks and clean dishes, utensils, and eating areas as assigned.
Model appropriate behavior, support conflict resolution, correct inappropriate behavior, administer discipline in accordance with district guidelines, and assist with classroom management.
Assist teachers in adapting materials and activities, administering standardized tests, arranging classroom materials, and using specialized teaching techniques, software, and adaptive equipment; accompany and supervise students on field trips, at camps, off-site jobs, and in general education classes as assigned.
Participate in department staff meetings and provide information regarding students.
Use, adapt, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized adaptive equipment and computer equipment or software; coordinate student computer activities and equipment scheduling as assigned.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and physical presence; follow district conduct rules regarding tardiness and unauthorized absences.
Address concerns with appropriate teaching staff, therapy staff, or building administrators.
Perform assigned clerical classroom support, supervise students during teachers’ brief breaks, and perform related duties, including work in other classrooms, as assigned.
Perform specialized duties such as intermittent catheterization or physical restraint only when assigned and after required training.