26/27 - Pathways- Special Education Paraeducator

Mercer Island School District 400 • Mercer Island, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Special Education Paraprofessional in the Pathways program, which serves 18-22 year old students. The role involves working under the direction of a certificated special education teacher to provide instruction and support to students with disabilities. The paraprofessional implements the instructional program as designed by the teacher and is supervised by the principal, who may assign additional duties.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Meet one of the following: have received a passing grade on the Education Testing Service’s ParaPro Assessment (“ETS Assessment”); or hold an AA degree; or have earned 72 quarter credits or 48-semester credits at an institution of higher learning; or have completed a registered apprentice program.
• Meet State qualifications.
• 1-3 years of experience working with children or young adults.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation, and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to present information in one-on-one and small group situations to other employees, and/or students.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Strong communications skills.
• Strong computer skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the community.
• Patience in dealing with parents and students.
• Ability to perform duties in accordance with all District and State requirements and policies.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with special education students preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a special-education support team under the direction of a special education teacher.
• Follow the day-to-day schedule as directed by the special education teacher.
• Take direction from the special education teacher regarding instructional materials, methods and prompts.
• Provide individual and/or small group academic, adaptive, social/emotional, vocational, communication, life skills and other instruction to students as directed by the special education teacher.
• Promote generalization of targeted skills.
• Assist and instruct students with personal hygiene and toileting.
• Prompt and support student as needed in various settings including classes, schedule changes, assemblies, field trips, vocational training, and community settings.
• Provide supervision, social scaffolding and support during unstructured activities.
• Assist teacher with daily classroom operation and management, including preparing materials, copying, proctoring tests, assisting with discipline, grading, recording grades, and taking notes.
• Maintain accurate student records (data sheets, progress notes, etc.).
• Follow through with prescribed behavior management programs.
• Monitor behavior and redirect students as needed.
• Intervene with appropriate behavior interventions using de-escalation techniques, redirection, removal from the classroom, and physical techniques only if safety is threatened or serious disruption occurs.
• Follow school and district guidelines, including completing written records for any restraint, physical escort, or isolation used.
• Attend required staff meetings, training, school events, and meetings (e.g., IEP meetings, parent/teacher conferences).
• Collaborate and communicate regularly with special education teacher and general education teacher regarding student progress and needs.
• Maintain a substitute folder as directed by the principal.
• Use assistive technology devices as directed.
• Administer assessment tools as designated by the special education teacher.
• Assist with loading and unloading of students from buses.
• Assist and instruct students with eating/feeding skills.
• Lift or assist with lifting students to and from wheelchairs.
• Provide additional health support after training, including clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), tube feeding, oxygen management, and oral suctioning.
• Assist with physical therapy and occupational therapy routines after training and supervision.
• Assist with transferring/lifting of students, use of adaptive equipment, positioning, facilitation of movement and range of motion, and splint or orthotic placement/removal.
• Assist with activities of daily living (e.g., toileting, changing diapers, feeding).
• Sanitize classrooms and equipment using approved materials.
• Dispense medication to students after training.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Direct all communication to the special education teacher and general education teacher; do not communicate directly with parents.
• Report any concerns regarding child safety to the special education teacher, principal, union representative, and/or Child Protective Services as appropriate.

Benefits

• Eligible for SEBB benefits

What This Job Offers

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