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

Tacoma Public Schools•Stewart Middle 5010 S. Pacific Ave., WA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring a Special Education Support Professional for a one-on-one ACCESS assignment at Stewart Middle School. The role provides individual support to an assigned student with a disability across school activities and day-to-day needs, and assists a certificated teacher with instructional and non-instructional activities for that student and other classroom students as time permits. This position is 0.8125 FTE, 6.5 hours per day, on a 183-workday, 10-month schedule. The expected start date is November 2026. Salary depends on education: $29.50 for no degree, $30.25 with an associate degree, and $30.50 with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The position has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools. The role supports students with a broad range of disabilities, including medical, orthopedic, developmental, physical, and behavioral needs. Duties may include providing academic interventions; supporting self-care and activities of daily living; monitoring student safety; recording progress and data toward IEP goals; assisting with behavior plans; and using adaptive equipment and specialized teaching techniques. Some assignments may involve personal care, medication assistance following training, physical restraint following required training, and implementation of therapy activities as directed by specialists. The position requires completion of the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. District-provided Fundamental Course of Study training comprises 28 hours, with the first two training days to be completed within four months of hire and the second two 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 training. Minimum qualifications include an associate degree, 72 post-secondary credit hours, or a passing state test demonstrating knowledge, along with demonstrated ability to assist in instruction and one year of experience working with individuals with special needs who may have severe disabilities; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be evaluated. CPR/First Aid certification is required or must be obtained through training within the first 90 days of employment. District restraint training and ongoing certification are required. CIC training may be required. Fingerprinting and successful state and federal background and sexual misconduct clearances are 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.
One year of experience working with special-needs individuals who may have severe disabilities, or an equivalent combination of experience and training meeting federal and state requirements.
Complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate and required professional development training.
Complete 28 hours of district-provided Fundamental Course of Study training on the stated schedule.
CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to complete training within the first 90 days of employment.
Attend district restraint training and maintain certification.
Complete cleansing intermittent catheterization training if required.
Submit fingerprints and obtain successful Washington State Patrol, FBI, and sexual misconduct background clearances.
Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, and/or physical disabilities, assigned subject areas, basic learning styles, and effective instructional methods for students with disabilities.
Knowledge of safe methods for lifting and positioning students; basic sign language knowledge for designated positions.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, obtain and exchange information, communicate effectively, and work collegially with students, staff, and the community.
Ability to defuse student conflict, de-escalate situations, and appropriately restrain students when necessary.
Ability to organize and coordinate activities and provide feeding, diapering, toileting, and other personal assistance.
Ability to attend to students’ physical needs, including walking, sitting, squatting, crawling, kneeling, bending, stooping, reaching, and lifting.
Ability to work in inclement weather and lift up to 25 pounds individually and up to 50 pounds with a team.
Ability to be sensitive to students who cannot communicate their needs and to establish effective working relationships in a multicultural, diverse socioeconomic setting.
Demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.

Responsibilities

Provide instruction individually or in small groups under teacher direction, implement activities assigned by teachers or specialists, and encourage participation in learning activities.
Assist with vocational training, job-hunting skills, job applications, and student participation in learning activities when assigned.
Provide personal care and support activities of daily living, which may include feeding, dressing, toileting, diapering, hygiene, tube or pump feeding, and other specialized care tasks.
Help calm or restrain students when appropriately trained and required, and monitor students during seizures and other physical emergencies.
Use adaptive equipment and perform assigned sensory stimulation and adaptive physical education activities.
Administer and log medication when assigned and trained by the licensed school nurse or appropriate therapist.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in locker rooms or restrooms, and while loading or unloading buses; support bus drivers with appropriate student support practices.
Transport students within school or building premises as needed.
Record student progress in data sheets and logs, prepare reports, maintain student records, and collect data on academic progress, IEP goals, behavioral plans, and grooming plans.
Communicate with classroom teachers, program administrators, other school staff, and parents or guardians as assigned.
Reposition students with physical disabilities as needed and implement occupational or physical therapy activities as instructed by specialists.
Use basic sign language with students when needed and continuously monitor students for safety.
Prepare and serve student lunches and snacks and clean dishes, utensils, and eating areas as needed.
Model appropriate behavior, correct inappropriate behavior, teach conflict resolution as directed, administer discipline under district guidelines, and assist with classroom management.
Help adapt instructional materials and activities, administer standardized tests when assigned, use specialized teaching techniques and software, and arrange classroom materials and furniture.
Accompany students on field trips, camp activities, off-site jobs, and general education classes when assigned; supervise and provide instruction as appropriate.
Participate in department staff meetings and share information regarding students.
Use, adapt, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized adaptive equipment and computer equipment or software; assist with student equipment scheduling as assigned.
Maintain reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance and comply with district attendance and conduct policies.
Raise concerns with appropriate teaching staff, therapy staff, or building administrators.
Perform classroom clerical work, duplicate materials, complete paperwork, supervise students during brief teacher breaks, and perform other assigned duties, including work in more than one classroom as directed.