Special Education Support Professional LRC 1:1 - Browns Point Elementary

Tacoma Public Schools•Browns Point Elementary 1526 51st St. N.E., WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring a Special Education Support Professional to provide one-on-one assistance to an assigned student with a disability during school activities and day-to-day needs, and to assist a certificated teacher with instructional and non-instructional activities for that student and other classroom students as time permits. The role supports students with a broad range of disabilities, including medical, orthopedic, developmental, physical, and behavioral needs. Duties may include academic interventions, personal care, activities of daily living, and supporting students’ safety and participation in learning activities. The position is 0.8125 FTE, working 6.5 hours per day, on a 183-workday, 10-month schedule. The expected start is as soon as possible. Pay is listed as $29.50 at PA4H (no degree), $30.25 at PA4J (associate degree), and $30.50 at PA4K (bachelor’s degree or higher). The job requires completing the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. District-provided Fundamental Course of Study training totals 28 hours, with the first two days required 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 ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development training. The role may involve assisting with instruction, feeding, dressing, toileting, medication administration after training, student supervision, data collection, classroom preparation, adaptive equipment, and communication with teachers, families, and other staff. Tacoma Public Schools states that the job has the full range of benefits it offers. The job description is not an employment agreement or contract, and district administration may alter it.

Requirements

Associate degree, 72 credit hours of post-secondary education, or passing the 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 training and experience meeting federal and state requirements.
Complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate program and district-provided Fundamental Course of Study training according to the stated deadlines.
CPR/First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain training within the first 90 days of employment.
Attend district restraint training and maintain certification.
Complete cleansing intermittent catheterization training if required for the assignment.
Fingerprinting and successful Washington State Patrol and FBI background clearance, including sexual misconduct clearance.
Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, or physical disabilities; assigned subject areas and basic learning styles; effective instructional methods for students with disabilities; and safe methods of lifting and positioning students.
Basic sign-language skills for designated positions.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, obtain and exchange information, and communicate and work effectively with staff, students, and the community.
Ability to defuse conflict and de-escalate situations, and to appropriately restrain students when necessary and authorized.
Ability to organize and coordinate activities; feed, diaper, and provide toileting or other personal assistance to students; and respond sensitively to students unable to communicate their needs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, civil, and collegial working relationships in a multicultural and diverse socioeconomic setting.
Ability to demonstrate reliable attendance and work in inclement weather.
Ability to walk, sit, squat, crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, reach, and lift to meet students’ physical needs; lift up to 25 pounds individually and team-lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be evaluated by Human Resources for comparability.

Responsibilities

Provide one-on-one assistance to an assigned student with a disability during school activities and day-to-day needs.
Assist a certificated teacher with instructional and non-instructional activities for the assigned student and other students as time permits.
Provide individual or small-group instruction and learning activities under teacher or specialist direction, including academic interventions and vocational activities where assigned.
Assist students with sensory or physical handicaps and promote a safe environment conducive to instruction.
Support students with self-care and activities of daily living, which may include feeding, dressing, toileting, hygiene, and other personal care.
Monitor and protect students during seizures and other physical emergencies; calm or restrain students when authorized and trained.
Administer and log medications when assigned and appropriately trained by a licensed school nurse or therapist.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in restrooms or locker rooms, during transportation transitions, and in other assigned settings.
Record student progress and maintain data sheets, daily logs, reports, and student records, including information related to IEP goals, behavioral plans, grooming plans, and academic progress.
Communicate with classroom teachers, program administrators, school staff, and parents or guardians as assigned.
Adjust the position of students with physical disabilities as needed and implement occupational or physical therapy activities as instructed by specialists.
Use or teach basic sign language as needed; use adaptive equipment and assist students during adaptive physical education.
Prepare and serve student lunches and snacks and clean dishes, utensils, and eating areas when assigned.
Model appropriate behavior, address inappropriate behavior, support conflict resolution, administer discipline according to district guidelines, and assist with classroom management.
Adapt materials and activities as directed; assist with standardized testing; use specialized teaching techniques, software, and adaptive equipment.
Arrange classroom furniture and materials; accompany students on field trips, camp activities, off-site jobs, or 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 as assigned.
Attend reliably and regularly, follow district conduct rules regarding tardiness and unauthorized absences, and raise concerns with appropriate teaching staff, therapy staff, or administrators.
Provide temporary classroom coverage and general clerical support, including duplicating materials and completing paperwork, as assigned.
Perform cleansing intermittent catheterization after receiving required training, if assigned.
Attend district restraint training and maintain certification; perform physical restraint only as assigned and after required training.
Perform related duties temporarily or work in more than one classroom as assigned by a building administrator.