Special Education Support Professional ACCESS 1:1 - Gray Middle School

Tacoma Public Schools•Gray Middle 6229 S. Tyler St., WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring a Special Education Support Professional for a one-on-one assignment supporting a student with a disability at Gray Middle School. The position provides assistance with school activities and day-to-day needs, and supports a certificated teacher with instructional and non-instructional activities for the assigned student and, as time permits, other classroom students. The role serves students with a broad range of disabilities, including medical, orthopedic, developmental, physical, and behavioral needs. Duties may include academic interventions, activities of daily living, and personal care. The position is 0.8125 FTE, 6.5 hours per day, for 183 workdays over 10 months. The expected start date is as soon as possible. The role requires completion of the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. District-provided Fundamental Course of Study training totals 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 following school year. The general certificate is earned after completing ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development training. Pay is listed by education level: PA4H, $29.50 for no degree; PA4J, $30.25 for an associate degree; and PA4K, $30.50 for a BA/BS or higher degree. The job offers the full range of benefits provided by Tacoma Public Schools and is an Education Support Professional position.

Requirements

Associate degree, 72 post-secondary credit hours, or a passing state test demonstrating knowledge; alternatively, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be evaluated.
Demonstrated ability to assist in instructing students.
One year of experience working with individuals with special needs who may have severe disabilities, or an equivalent combination of experience and training that meets federal and state requirements.
Complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate and required district Fundamental Course of Study training.
CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to complete training within the first 90 days of employment.
Attend district restraint training and maintain certification.
Successful fingerprinting and Washington State Patrol and FBI background and sexual misconduct clearance.
Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, or physical disabilities; subject areas; basic learning styles; effective instructional methods; and safe lifting and positioning methods.
Maintain confidentiality; communicate and work effectively and collegially with students, staff, and the community; obtain, clarify, and exchange information; organize and coordinate activities; and de-escalate student conflict.
Ability to provide feeding, diapering, toileting, and other personal assistance; respond sensitively to students unable to communicate their needs; and appropriately restrain students as necessary.
Ability to perform physical activities including walking, sitting, squatting, crawling, kneeling, bending, stooping, reaching, and lifting to meet students’ needs; work in inclement weather; lift up to 25 pounds individually and team-lift up to 50 pounds.
Demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance and establish effective working relationships in a multicultural, diverse socioeconomic setting.

Responsibilities

Provide instruction individually or in small groups in assigned learning activities under teacher direction, and implement activities assigned by specialists.
Assist students with sensory or physical disabilities, vocational training, job-search and application skills, and participation in learning activities.
Support students with self-care and activities of daily living, which may include feeding, dressing, toileting, hygiene, medical equipment, and medication tasks as assigned and trained.
Help maintain student safety during seizures, physical emergencies, behavioral incidents, and other activities; use adaptive equipment and perform sensory stimulation as assigned.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in locker rooms or restrooms, and while loading or unloading buses; provide support during transportation and movement around school premises.
Record student progress and maintain data sheets, logs, reports, and student records, including information related to IEP goals, behavioral plans, grooming plans, and academic progress.
Communicate and coordinate with teachers, administrators, school staff, therapists, and parents or guardians as assigned.
Reposition students with physical disabilities as needed and implement occupational or physical therapy activities as directed by specialists; use basic sign language as needed.
Prepare and serve student lunches and snacks and clean dishes, utensils, and eating areas as needed.
Model appropriate behavior, address inappropriate behavior, teach conflict resolution as directed, and support classroom management and discipline under district guidelines.
Help adapt classroom materials and activities, administer standardized tests as assigned, use specialized teaching techniques and equipment, arrange classroom materials, and accompany students on field trips, camp activities, off-site jobs, or general education classes as assigned.
Participate in department staff meetings and provide information about students.
Use, adapt, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized adaptive and computer equipment and software; assist with student equipment schedules as needed.
Maintain reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance and raise concerns with appropriate teaching staff, therapy staff, or building administrators.
Perform other assigned duties, which may include classroom clerical work, covering students during brief teacher breaks, working in more than one classroom, intermittent catheterization after training, and physical restraint after required training.