Special Education Support Professional 1:1 Deaf/Hard of Hearing - Birney Elementary

Tacoma Public Schools•Birney Elementary 1202 S. 76th St., WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring a Special Education Support Professional to provide one-on-one assistance to an assigned fourth-grade student with a disability during school activities and daily needs, and to assist a certificated teacher with instructional and non-instructional activities for that student and other classroom students as time permits. The position is at Birney Elementary, is 0.8125 FTE, and is scheduled for 6.5 hours of work plus a 30-minute duty-free lunch period, for a total of seven hours on campus. The position is a 10-month role with 183 workdays. The expected start date is as soon as possible. The role supports students with a broad range of disabilities, including medical, orthopedic, developmental, physical, sensory, and behavioral needs. Duties may include academic interventions, personal care and activities of daily living, supervision, support during physical emergencies, implementation of teacher- or specialist-assigned activities, data collection, and classroom assistance. Depending on student needs and assignment, the employee may use sign language, specialized adaptive equipment, or computer equipment; accompany students on field trips or to off-site jobs; and assist with medication or other trained care procedures. The employee must complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. The district provides 28 hours of Fundamental Course of Study training; the first two days are to 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 by completing ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development training. The position also requires CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to complete training within the first 90 days, and district restraint training and certification. Additional training, such as cleansing intermittent catheterization, may be required. Salary is listed at $29.50 for applicants without a degree, $30.25 with an associate degree, and $30.50 with a bachelor's degree or higher. The posting states that the position has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.

Requirements

Associate degree, 72 credit hours of post-secondary education, or a passing state test demonstrating knowledge; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be evaluated by Human Resources.
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 meeting federal and state requirements.
Complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate and required district Fundamental Course of Study and professional development training.
CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to be trained within the first 90 days of employment.
Attend district restraint training and maintain certification.
Fingerprinting and successful Washington State Patrol and FBI background and sexual misconduct clearances.
Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, and/or physical disabilities, assigned subject areas, basic learning styles, effective instructional methods, and safe methods of lifting and positioning students.
Maintain confidentiality; communicate and work effectively and collegially with students, staff, and community members; and obtain, clarify, and exchange information.
Ability to defuse conflict and de-escalate situations, organize and coordinate activities, provide personal care, and respond sensitively to students who may be unable to communicate their needs.
Ability to walk, sit, squat, crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, reach, and lift to meet 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.

Responsibilities

Provide one-on-one assistance to an assigned student with a disability during school activities and with day-to-day needs.
Assist a certificated teacher with instructional and non-instructional activities for the assigned student and other classroom students as time permits.
Provide instruction individually or in small groups under teacher direction, implement assigned lessons or activities, and support students' participation in learning activities.
Assist students with self-care and activities of daily living, which may include feeding, dressing, toileting, diapering, hygiene, and other personal care.
Support students with sensory or physical disabilities, use adaptive equipment, and monitor students for safety, seizures, and other physical emergencies.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in classrooms and other settings; assist with bus loading and unloading and student movement around school premises.
Record student progress and collect data related to academic progress, IEP goals, behavioral plans, and grooming plans; maintain student records and communicate with teachers, administrators, staff, and parents or guardians as assigned.
Use basic sign language with students as needed and implement occupational or physical therapy activities as instructed by specialists.
Prepare and serve student lunches and snacks and clean eating areas and utensils as needed.
Model appropriate behavior, support conflict resolution and classroom management, and administer discipline according to district guidelines.
Assist teachers with adapting materials, administering tests, arranging classroom materials, and using specialized teaching techniques, software, or adaptive equipment.
Accompany and supervise students on field trips, camp activities, off-site jobs, or in general education classes as assigned.
Participate in staff meetings and provide information about students.
Maintain, adapt, and troubleshoot specialized adaptive or computer equipment as assigned.
Demonstrate regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and address concerns with appropriate teaching, therapy, or building staff.
Perform assigned clerical and classroom support duties and other related duties, including work in more than one classroom when assigned.
Complete required paraeducator, CPR/First Aid, restraint, and other assigned training and maintain required certifications.